Thanks for writing and sharing this, Jackie! It is insanity when millions of people in the U.S. (about a third of the population???), believe Internet Memes rather than academic research. I can understand why you're Netflix binging. My head is about to explode...
Exactly. I didn’t even mention misinformation and cults and everything else going on. (I haven’t checked to see whether or not the group is still in Dallas waiting for the return of JFK/JFK Jr).
Yep, that's about it. Watching is helpful, too. I've found the novel-based HBO series "Station Eleven" is a strong one to see - compassionate and good for the heart. Yes it does start with a pandemic, but talk about ruggedization!
Thanks for being honest about your writing. These are difficult circumstances to be productive and creative through. Let's all cut each other more slack in 2022!
I'm so grateful for your writing this. It's so important to name and acknowledge our feelings, and I feel you have done this well. Personally I have a Covid+household member right now and that has definitely been a worrisome event. I have survived the last year better mainly in thanks to my meditation and mindfulness practice, which has become more serious since joining other likeminded people since May 2021. I now have a daily practice and it gives me something to look forward to, to find clarity and focus, and most importantly, find a way to feel joy-even from the same room I've been in since January 2020! I'm also lucky to be a licensed patient of plant based medicine, which has helped my pain, chronic health issues, and anxiety. I'm also writing continuously, which is the most challenging thing I have undertaken, so I am being gentle with my needs, and take the time to care for myself when writing has me feeling intense emotion.
Thanks. I'm sorry to hear you have someone + right now. I hope everyone comes out of it okay. Your meditation practice sounds really good — I should probably try to work it in a bit more intentionally myself. And yes definitely to plant meds. It's amazing how well plants work for certain (not all!) things. There are a few that work better than anything pharmaceutical out there.
I feel I’m going to shatter. I’m going to speak more about it in my upcoming newsletter but this is a strange time where everything feels uncertain. It’s a mad world of simultaneous hypervigilance and flippancy.
I appreciate you just speaking on this. It’s very easy to feel isolated and insane. It’s hard to see when there will ever be an after.
I'm so sorry to hear this Chevanne. You're definitely not alone, and if I can help, even with a pep talk or a friendly ear, you know how to find me! Hang in there.
Thanks for this Jackie, I've been feeling so anxious as we enter another year of uncertainty and I made the decision to take a complete break from writing. I was going to write and seriealise the second book in my series on substack but my heart isn't in it. It's the first time in a long time that I've actually put my pen down, but it's allowing me to distract myself with other creative activities. My biggest sadness is not being able to plan to see our four new grandchildren (6 months to 2 years old) in the UK (we live in Italy) I feel as though we are missing out on so much, but am grateful that we are healthy and covid-free...
Thanks for writing and sharing this, Jackie! It is insanity when millions of people in the U.S. (about a third of the population???), believe Internet Memes rather than academic research. I can understand why you're Netflix binging. My head is about to explode...
Exactly. I didn’t even mention misinformation and cults and everything else going on. (I haven’t checked to see whether or not the group is still in Dallas waiting for the return of JFK/JFK Jr).
Yep, that's about it. Watching is helpful, too. I've found the novel-based HBO series "Station Eleven" is a strong one to see - compassionate and good for the heart. Yes it does start with a pandemic, but talk about ruggedization!
Very cool. I don't have HBO but when I bite the bullet eventually I'll have to check it out.
Or read the book, published around 2014!
Thanks for being honest about your writing. These are difficult circumstances to be productive and creative through. Let's all cut each other more slack in 2022!
Indeed. Sometimes I wonder how anyone is getting anything done these days, especially if they have kids to worry about.
I'm so grateful for your writing this. It's so important to name and acknowledge our feelings, and I feel you have done this well. Personally I have a Covid+household member right now and that has definitely been a worrisome event. I have survived the last year better mainly in thanks to my meditation and mindfulness practice, which has become more serious since joining other likeminded people since May 2021. I now have a daily practice and it gives me something to look forward to, to find clarity and focus, and most importantly, find a way to feel joy-even from the same room I've been in since January 2020! I'm also lucky to be a licensed patient of plant based medicine, which has helped my pain, chronic health issues, and anxiety. I'm also writing continuously, which is the most challenging thing I have undertaken, so I am being gentle with my needs, and take the time to care for myself when writing has me feeling intense emotion.
Thanks. I'm sorry to hear you have someone + right now. I hope everyone comes out of it okay. Your meditation practice sounds really good — I should probably try to work it in a bit more intentionally myself. And yes definitely to plant meds. It's amazing how well plants work for certain (not all!) things. There are a few that work better than anything pharmaceutical out there.
I feel I’m going to shatter. I’m going to speak more about it in my upcoming newsletter but this is a strange time where everything feels uncertain. It’s a mad world of simultaneous hypervigilance and flippancy.
I appreciate you just speaking on this. It’s very easy to feel isolated and insane. It’s hard to see when there will ever be an after.
I'm so sorry to hear this Chevanne. You're definitely not alone, and if I can help, even with a pep talk or a friendly ear, you know how to find me! Hang in there.
I appreciate it. Just trying to take it one day at a time.
Thanks for this Jackie, I've been feeling so anxious as we enter another year of uncertainty and I made the decision to take a complete break from writing. I was going to write and seriealise the second book in my series on substack but my heart isn't in it. It's the first time in a long time that I've actually put my pen down, but it's allowing me to distract myself with other creative activities. My biggest sadness is not being able to plan to see our four new grandchildren (6 months to 2 years old) in the UK (we live in Italy) I feel as though we are missing out on so much, but am grateful that we are healthy and covid-free...
Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope your writing hiatus is short-lived. Hopefully you’ll be able to see your family soon.