Small Things
Friends,
To say the corona virus or COVID-19 took us by storm would be an understatement. While there were signs and warnings ahead of time, the correct precautions were not taken and now, here we are. With all the stress and mayhem going on around you, please do not let "rise and grind" Twitter make you feel you should be starting four new LLCs AND building a business plan AND bailing yourself out of debt. That $1200 stimulus check is a whole joke but that's another conversation for another day. It is wildly unimaginable to think that a GLOBAL PANDEMIC and a multi-month lockdown are conquerable mental hurdles and that anyone battling these should be "okay." Which is why, during these times in particular, I find the question "How are you doing?" almost laughable. How do YOU think I'm doing? How is anyone really doing? Do you even care to know the real answer? The response can range day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment even. I've said it before and will say it once more. It's okay to not be okay. There is a lot happening in the world at large right now, let alone in each of our respective microcosms. Grappling with that can vary in level of difficulty. It might be better to wade in slowly. So while you need not feel pressured to conquer a lifelong goal or come up with the solution to an inexplicable math equation (the answer is -1) while staying home for the foreseeable future, it does help to focus on the smaller, more attainable things. One might even call them, small joys. This could be anything that brings you peace in times of corona, all while doing your part to stay inside.
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| Courtesy of @transparentblackgirl |
Taking a class (there are lots of free ones), taking a bath, cooking something interesting (though I won't lie to you, I've never liked washing dishes to begin with, this has only exacerbated my distaste), adopting a pet, reading a book, FaceTiming everyone you know (except your ex, don't do that, we move forwards not backwards), write handwritten letters to your loved ones (send them a photo of the letter if you can't mail it physically, also pay attention to what's happening with the USPS right now), journal, write out detailed accounts of every sexual encounter you've ever had, no matter what "base" you made it to (if you do this please send them to me, I LOVE a good story-time), listening to old episodes from your favorite podcasts, finding new interesting podcasts, reorganize your entire closet including your socks... The options do not end with Netflix, they abound.
Here you can find a compiled list of things I recommend to stay sane:
Classes/Zooms:
Art Stuffs:
Food:
Make some Chili recipe (by which I mean throw lots of things and at least 3 vegetables in a pot, stew them and see how it tastes)
Experiment with your leftovers and come up with something no one's ever heard of
Pets:
Light Reads:
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Department of Speculation by Jenny Ofill
Semi-Light Reads:
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Another Country by James Baldwin
Heavier Reads:
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Not That Bad by Roxane Gay
Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom
Podcasts:
A specific episode from The Friend Zone on October 3, 2019 entitled "Where is Natalia Grace?" Both haunting and hilarious
In closing, it is highly recommended that you do not take on the news. With this too I suggest small bites. Headlines are helpful but full articles can be daunting and deleterious. Know your limits, don't exceed them. If you get overwhelmed, watch baby animal videos on Instagram. They're adorable and can be highly comforting.
Take care of yourself.
xx
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