We interrupt this programming...
Balancing awareness with sanity in a time of crisis.
Despite being aware of the agenda of our current administration prior to the election, I can’t help but feel shocked by the speed at which our system of government is being dismantled, and how many citizens seem either unconcerned or downright supportive. Each day, it seems there are new violations of the Constitution, new embarrassing and appalling missteps by top-ranking government officials, and new horrors on our screens. It has become overwhelming, and that is by design.
While I do occasionally post my support for disenfranchised communities, and much of my work is in celebration of diversity and freedom of personal expression, I try to stay focused on positive topics because I’m not a political pundit, there’s enough news to be found all over the internet, and I believe strongly in the power of creative pursuits, both for the maker and the viewer. Creativity can get us through tough times as well as offering constructive statements and interpretations of the challenges we face.
Fiddling while Rome burns?
It can feel disjointed to keep posting what feels like self-promotion while so much tragedy is unfolding. But we all have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and this is what I know how to do; making, sharing and teaching.
Staying informed:
While I work, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts. I have a drive to stay informed and to try to understand the context, as well as being prepared for what is coming. Heather Cox-Richardson is my primary news source, and I support her on Substack because she is one of the most intelligent, reasonable people out there helping to unpack the information coming at us daily. She’s a scholar, American historian professor, and she doesn’t sensationalize or use hyperbole to gain viewers.
I find Ezra Klein to be another very calm, smart, and well-informed source for information. I also love Larry Wilmore and Katie Phang.
I just finished the book On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, the extended version. Honestly, I procrastinated on this one because I thought it would be dry and depressing. It was not. It was engaging, interesting and accessible. The surprise was that the extended version is a history lesson on Ukraine, which is actually the history of Lithuania and Poland, as it turns out. And that is my ancestry, and there’s so much I didn’t know. I recently discovered that my mom’s medical charts list Ashkenazi as part of her ethnicity, which was a shock. My aunt assured me that we are only Polish and Lithuanian, verified by 23 and Me. But I now realize that there is no true delineation. Since the 1500s, the region has been occupied by all of these groups in waves. There are different languages, arts, dishes, music, religions, etc. but they have all intermingled and evolved together. Most of all, I learned how vital that region is globally, and always has been.
Staying sane:
At the same time, I try to add as much levity as possible to my media intake. There’s someone I support on Patreon: Anna Przy, who posts a 5-minute morning video each day and I usually listen while I feed the cats and dogs. She’s goofy and irreverant and her daily affirmations are always exactly what I need to hear, and they echo in my mind throughout the day as I grapple with self-doubt and the feeling that I’m not doing enough. I discovered her on instagram, where she posts extremely silly videos reminding us to give ourselves a break.
I recently tuned into a new instagram account: the We Do Not Care Club. This is for women experiencing peri-menopause and menopause and the spokesperson posts lists of the things we, as women of a certain age, no longer care about. It is poignant and makes me laugh out loud every time. Things We Do Not Care About may include: unshaved legs, cellulite, bras, whether we are using our phone flashlight to search for our phones, chin hair, and more. The delivery is perfect.
Josh Johnson is my favorite comedian. I’m a Substack subscriber, but I mainly watch his YouTube shows. He records a full stand-up set every Tuesday and puts it up for free, though there is exclusive content for paid subscribers. This young man is smart, thoughtful, comes up with excellent new content every week, and presents it in a storytelling format that feels natural. Every set makes me laugh, and there is always some thoughtful content that makes me think about things in a new and deeper way.
Those are just a few of the things that help me stay upright and motivated, in spite of everything. Also: MUSIC. Don’t forget to play your favorite music, sing along, let yourself dance. Going outside and making time for friends and family are the other things that help me.
What is helping you to weather all of this? What are you working on? How are you being affected?
P.S. This morning I was informed that my mom will be going on hospice. And last week I learned that my osteoarthritis is spreading in my hands. So, there’s also that.
Stay well and keep on creating!