Hot heat simmers from the lines on my palms
I breathe in the pain, the fire, the steam
Exhaling comfort, I extend out my arms
I’m here
Bonded together in the rain
We raise our hearts to the black tar sky
A hum, a glow, under our furrowed brows
It comes in waves
A beaten rhythm of protests past
Not alone, we cry
Hope. Carried over oceans with a sigh
— — —
Have been feeling a lot of ocean imagery this month in all my creative writing, here’s a teeny snippet. Photo credit @sergeebee
Ria Xx
Congrats you made it to February fam. How are those resolutions coming on? Crap?
Join the club.
Despite the enthusiasm and renewed sense of ‘LET’S DO THIS’ I always get in January, I, like everyone around me kinda gives up around mid-month. This January has been particularly tough, so I don’t blame anyone for just saying ‘sod it’ with their resolutions – the World is burning anyway, am I right? But thinking generally, 2017 aside, the ‘New Year, New Me’ rush can get a bit too much. We’re getting new calendars and diaries, we’ve overindulged over Christmas or had time away from ‘normal’ life to reflect on the year gone by. There’s so much pressure to change right there and then.
The thing is, I think we’re all kidding ourselves thinking we’re actually ready to change in January. Because January sucks, man. We’re overly bloated, we’re (likely) skint, and we’re so so tired from the manic-ness of December.
So how about starting afresh now? In February.
Think about it. I’m gonna make an educated guess that you have a pretty good idea what you’re 2017 is looking like right now. Whether that be job changes or relationship changes; choosing to travel, or start school again, or have a family, or buy a house; or maybe you know you’ll be heading to college in September, or graduating come July. You create that outline of the next 12 months in your head within the first few weeks of the year. It’s takes you a while, it doesn’t hit you on January 1st.
For me this means taking a long hard look at my ‘balance’ goal and re-prioritising what exactly I want to balance in light of anything that’s now up and coming in 2017.
So now we’ve popped our head over the proverbial parapet of 2017, now is the perfect time to reevaluate what you’re aiming for. Any why stop at February? Life does change and this consistent approach to stepping back and re-evaluating your goals can be useful at any point in the year.
— — —
Let me know how your 2017 goals have changed already.
Are you on track? Or will you need a reset too?
Ria Xx
Song of the month: Another Day Of Sun by La La Land OST
Is it just me or has this January gone on an age?
Normally I’m still living off some helpless optimism from the new year but I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that whilst 2016 was utter garbage, 2017 doesn’t look like it’s getting any better. The world is dark. The 24/7 news cycle feels so overwhelming at the moment and honestly it’s exhausting to watch.
When I started this blog I had no idea six years down the line I’d be writing drafting up posts the importance of representation in pop culture, women’s rights and civil liberties. I had no idea when I used to post wishlists of Chanel bags and Marchesa ballgowns that my most read and well-received posts would be on how to support protest marches from afar and telling you all on Twitter to donate to the ACLU. But hey, that’s the World we live in now.
And that World is exhausting. I am so very tired. I cycle between consistent headaches. Between the Inauguration, Brexit mess and just this past week of Executive Orders alone I haven’t really been sleeping properly either.
Whilst I do preach the philosophy that activism, especially online activism is not rocket science and a political tweet can take just a second out of your day. I think it’s worth reminding everyone that if you do feel overwhelmed or feel like you’re turning a giant squid of anger, then please do step back. It’s not productive and it’s definitely not healthy. Activism, in part, is shift work, we can take turns and we do need everyone at the top of their game to really make a difference. So, take a break, breathe and come back refreshed and fighting.
In that vein self-care has been so important in the past few weeks. My own personal routines have included the following:
In addition to all these I’ve found planning and having good things to look forward to has also been useful. So I’ve just booked tickets go to watch the talks at TEDxOxford this weekend and I’ve got my Hamilton West End tickets for next year too. I’m also currently planning a trip to India with my housemates this April and the logistical planning is proving to be massively cathartic.
On that note, this is my plea to make sure you’re all looking after yourselves. It’s very easy to get sucked into the constant cycle of despair but you are not alone. Find your light folks.
Ria
This month in blogs:
Activism bits:
Welcome to the Resistance: Are you sitting uncomfortably? // Ways To Support The Women’s March From Afar // A Feminist Prayer For A New Year
Important self-care tip:
3 Reasons To Start A Personal Journal
Some lighter toned posts:
Postcards from Oxford // Non-Fiction For A New Year // Favourite Films Directed by Women // My 2017 Writing Goals // On 6 Years of Blogging