Samwise: It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?
Samwise : That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
This is what I needed this week. I’m sharing in case you needed it too. If you’d like to hear Samwise himself you can watch the scene here.
We are all going through it.
So today I’m sharing some resources. First for mental health and then accessible forms of advocacy against the Shadow.
Last month I listened to the audiobook of You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell. I can’t recommend it enough to anyone struggling even a bit with mental health (and who isn’t?)
Dan is a YouTuber who experiences chronic depression and social anxiety. He worked with mental health professionals to create a practical guide to supporting your mental health. Dan’s writing style and personal anecdotes make it feel like you’re talking to a friend who gets it. Particularly when listening to the audiobook. (And did I mention he’s British? Love an accent.)
You may even find the book (or audiobook) at your local library so be sure to check Libby.
So many of the tips are simple, but hard to prioritize.
I enjoyed it so much I think I’ll re-listen to it each winter.
Last year I made a zine with self regulation ideas that you may find useful.
You can read the rest here.
I also have to share this beautiful painting by Amie McNee.
This is for anyone who feels their creative projects are frivolous or unimportant. Or anyone who is struggling with sharing their art right now.
Please don’t stop. We need it.
At the same time, if what you need right now is deep rest and reflection, that is an equally important way to tend your creative ecosystem. And is essential for making art.
Find Joy
Another important way to support your mental health is to find sources of joy. I loved this queer twist on this Caemlot inspired romance, Gwen & Art Are Not In Love. It’s a light read, YA romance (no spice), with neurodivergent-coded characters. The author Lex Croucher is queer and nonbinary.
I’m also on the third book in the Seaborn trilogy (queer pirates with magic) which I’m reading with the Livingstans book club.
Fight despair with action.
We all have different strengths and capacities. I’ve shared before that advocacy action items are often for able bodied and neurotypical people. Here are some ways to get involved if you aren’t able to protest and may struggle with phone calls.
- Donate to Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee.
- Raffle an artwork to raise funds & awareness.
- Send supplies to protesters.
- Write a postcard to your representatives.
- Support a nonprofit in your local community.
Or learn about mutual aid. Here’s a recommendation and gifted book from Libro.fm (an indie alternative to Audible that supports local bookshops):
“We know that books can’t fix everything, but they can help us show up for one another. Mutual Aid by Dean Spade is free on Libro.fm for the next week (until 2/2).”
Even hobbits can do their bit to turn back the Shadow.
You’ll hear from me again mid February. I started weekly emails when launching Entwined & Ember and I’m going back to a slower pace for a while.
Take care,
