Finding Ourselves and Each Other in Fascist Times
Reflections on a Challenging January
January has been exceptionally difficult. The rise of blatant and grotesque fascism, along with recent Winter weather storms in North Carolina, has left many—including my clients, friends, and myself—feeling utterly exhausted and depleted. The world feels heavy and frightening, and this collective weight has taken a tangible toll on our bodies and minds.
Seeking Solace
After the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, I began retreating. I saw the ways we were responding as a collective on social media. My nervous system decided this kind of input of information was no longer serving us. I did the thing I’ve been hesitant to do for years—I deleted my account on Facebook. Even after that, I noticed I was still very anxious. Of course I would be. My nervous system needed even more to change. So, I retreated from reading about the news. For a full 2 weeks, I did not consume any news. And my nervous system was grateful for a bit of a reprieve. What a privilege, I know. AND it’s what I needed to keep going. To show up for my kids, my family, my clients, my friends.
In those 2 weeks, the people around me and in my circles really came through. Touchpoints of connection through a text, a call, a Marco Polo, and in person really are the balm right now. Real connection is what I needed and continue to crave.
Adding Nourishment to My Spirit
In these two weeks I also realized it wasn’t just about taking things away from my nervous system and Spirit. But it was about adding, with intention, elements and offerings to my nervous system and Spirit. I finally decided and had the motivation to book some bodywork with my friend Chelsea over at Lumen Holistic. It was in this session she shared this brilliant idea: accessing news via The New York Times Headlines podcast. I was nervous. My nervous system was nervous. Could we be with the collective hard, anger and grief so explicitly again? What is my responsibility in this engagement with all this? After conversations and reflections, what feels true for me right now is that I want and need to know what the people in my community’s hearts, spirits and nervous systems are being shaped by. I need to know what is going on so I can act accordingly and shift into necessary actions. I also am a deeply feeling, highly sensitive person, so how do I balance it all? I’m still experimenting with this but here is where Im at right now…
Establishing Rituals for Grounding
RITUALIZING my routines has become my anchor:
I listen to the 10-minute Headlines podcast while I walk my dog in the wood every afternoon. Listening to the news while moving and being held and witnessed by the Trees and the Land feels right for my system. I make sure to keep walking long after the 10 minutes. Its just what I need to keep things moving.
Re-engaging with the Astrology for the Week Ahead. The big picture and more personalized tellings of what our stars and planets are doing feels like engagement with our realities and something bigger/beyond us.
Another podcast that brings levity to my Heart is Good Hang with Amy Poehler. I love listening to this while Im cooking dinner for the familia. I find myself often literally laughing out loud.
Dancing and/or singing in the shower every night. My favorites lately are Leon Bridges, Selena, and of course el Conejo, Bad Bunny
So, I really want to know: what are you doing to add to, bolster your Heart, Nervous System and Spirit in these turbulent times?
Is there anything you feel you need to pause from, in order to re-engage with renewed energy, perspective, or action?
Fascism is not going anywhere, we need to be prepared and bolstered mentally, spiritually, and communally.