I retired from the feds last year even though it put me in financial insecurity, because I had a feeling they would come for us first. It's a shit show for federal employees working for parks and forests so everyone keep that in mind as you go there. What I'm doing: hiking the AZT, at least part of it, in March! Getting out with dogs in snow every day. Drinking smoothies, writing writing writing.
You nailed it. Focusing on things that can actually be controlled: Prepping, building community, staying healthy. Titrating exposure to news sources to save energy for when it's needed. Staying flexible.
Spending February in the Arizona desert with a bunch of cool folks sounds like a good way to reset. Good luck on your trip!
I'm feeling grateful for this article and all of the replies on it. This month has felt like going through a bad breakup: grief, anger, disillusionment, hopelessness. And then you have to go on living as though your heart is still whole, trusting that someday it will be again. This conversation, and the reminder of future adventures, is helping me turn the corner into hope.
I couldn’t agree more… remembering the difference between that which is eternal, like star dust, and that which is incredibly temporal/terminal… like the disgusting one’s constant bull crap… is imperative…
I legitimately laughed at the Carrie Bradshaw connection---but I too have been thinking all of the things you've been thinking and have been trying to keep myself from going over the side of the cliff with it all.
I’m going to stop doomscrolling. In my normal live first thing in the morning is Tai Chi, meditation, morning pages. Yesterday I was getting so angry I could not do those things. That’s not a healthy way to live.
As someone who works for the fed in northern AZ, it's hard out here but we're getting by. When there isn't a lot out there that sincerely feels like it helps, this newsletter always does.
In this moment, nothing helps. The state of the world aside, it feels like I’m falling apart. My car is falling apart, everything is stressful (and I have high cortisol so it’s extra stressful for no reason!), being working class is hard, trying to have fun feels wrong and is hard. I’m meditating! I’m petting my cat! But it hasn’t been enough lately.
Ugh, I love this Carrot. I'm so glad you're feeling better and gathering these ways of finding ephemeral solace. I've been zooming out too; never have I found so much comfort in stargazing.
I just wrote an essay here on how essential it is to find and treasure as everything gets darker. One of the things I landed on is the importance of tending to our craft as it helps us more fully feel our selves, and this in turn leaves us better able to be there for each other.
I've also decided to get back into making little daily lists, Ross Gay style, of my delights. Knowing that I've found at least one pleasure in my day helps me know that I might find one tomorrow, too.
Thank you so much for your words. Take good care and have the best time in the sun!
totally get how you are feeling. Ham radio is a good idea, and can be a fun community. Our entire family has ham licenses. Contact the Arctic Amateur Radio Club to get you started.
Thanks Carrot… thinking the same… and trying to keep my focus on the fact that all of this is temporal… terminal, really… and what matters goes on, after all the B.S. biodegrades…
Thanks Carrot for sharing your thoughts. Right there with you in the cycling cycling cycling.
Also the planning and strategizing. It's weirdly comforting. Was thinking about guns today as well. I'm thinking about offering some free handgun handling lessons to my my queer/bipoc pals (was almost an assistant handgun instructor - never applied because I don't want to give money to the NRA) as a way of building community and supporting those who are being directly targeted. I don't know.
I guess we all don't really know but I'll keep trying to take the steps I can see to take and correct along the way as I learn alongside everyone else.
I stay informed thanks to a whole lot of great writers (like you) who speak the truth. I exercise like a fool, eat healthy meals, drink some wine, do art, connect with like-minded friends to strategize, love and protect my Ukrainian immigrant family here in the US, and take pleasure in making very snarky comments on social media. Have a great month in Arizona!
I retired from the feds last year even though it put me in financial insecurity, because I had a feeling they would come for us first. It's a shit show for federal employees working for parks and forests so everyone keep that in mind as you go there. What I'm doing: hiking the AZT, at least part of it, in March! Getting out with dogs in snow every day. Drinking smoothies, writing writing writing.
You nailed it. Focusing on things that can actually be controlled: Prepping, building community, staying healthy. Titrating exposure to news sources to save energy for when it's needed. Staying flexible.
Spending February in the Arizona desert with a bunch of cool folks sounds like a good way to reset. Good luck on your trip!
I'm feeling grateful for this article and all of the replies on it. This month has felt like going through a bad breakup: grief, anger, disillusionment, hopelessness. And then you have to go on living as though your heart is still whole, trusting that someday it will be again. This conversation, and the reminder of future adventures, is helping me turn the corner into hope.
im reading octavia butler and waiting for Bets... and trying to get outside every day and not binge on sugar (aspiration mostly)
You should have Bets by now if you backed the kickstarter- can you tell me more details about your order?
apparently it was waiting to arrive on my birthday-thanks for the surprise!
I couldn’t agree more… remembering the difference between that which is eternal, like star dust, and that which is incredibly temporal/terminal… like the disgusting one’s constant bull crap… is imperative…
I legitimately laughed at the Carrie Bradshaw connection---but I too have been thinking all of the things you've been thinking and have been trying to keep myself from going over the side of the cliff with it all.
Humor helps 🙃
I love reading about your life
Me too!!!
I’m going to stop doomscrolling. In my normal live first thing in the morning is Tai Chi, meditation, morning pages. Yesterday I was getting so angry I could not do those things. That’s not a healthy way to live.
Ps: reading BETS & loving it.
As someone who works for the fed in northern AZ, it's hard out here but we're getting by. When there isn't a lot out there that sincerely feels like it helps, this newsletter always does.
Have fun in the warmer climes of southern AZ!
In this moment, nothing helps. The state of the world aside, it feels like I’m falling apart. My car is falling apart, everything is stressful (and I have high cortisol so it’s extra stressful for no reason!), being working class is hard, trying to have fun feels wrong and is hard. I’m meditating! I’m petting my cat! But it hasn’t been enough lately.
It do be like that sometimes 😔
Ugh, I love this Carrot. I'm so glad you're feeling better and gathering these ways of finding ephemeral solace. I've been zooming out too; never have I found so much comfort in stargazing.
I just wrote an essay here on how essential it is to find and treasure as everything gets darker. One of the things I landed on is the importance of tending to our craft as it helps us more fully feel our selves, and this in turn leaves us better able to be there for each other.
I've also decided to get back into making little daily lists, Ross Gay style, of my delights. Knowing that I've found at least one pleasure in my day helps me know that I might find one tomorrow, too.
Thank you so much for your words. Take good care and have the best time in the sun!
Currently planning adventures with @ladylizard666 helps with the dread! Thanks for the share, fe!
totally get how you are feeling. Ham radio is a good idea, and can be a fun community. Our entire family has ham licenses. Contact the Arctic Amateur Radio Club to get you started.
Thanks Carrot… thinking the same… and trying to keep my focus on the fact that all of this is temporal… terminal, really… and what matters goes on, after all the B.S. biodegrades…
All of this, yes yes yes yes.
Thanks Carrot for sharing your thoughts. Right there with you in the cycling cycling cycling.
Also the planning and strategizing. It's weirdly comforting. Was thinking about guns today as well. I'm thinking about offering some free handgun handling lessons to my my queer/bipoc pals (was almost an assistant handgun instructor - never applied because I don't want to give money to the NRA) as a way of building community and supporting those who are being directly targeted. I don't know.
I guess we all don't really know but I'll keep trying to take the steps I can see to take and correct along the way as I learn alongside everyone else.
That seems like a really useful thing to offer!
I stay informed thanks to a whole lot of great writers (like you) who speak the truth. I exercise like a fool, eat healthy meals, drink some wine, do art, connect with like-minded friends to strategize, love and protect my Ukrainian immigrant family here in the US, and take pleasure in making very snarky comments on social media. Have a great month in Arizona!