hope bloom
This is the outside front, inside spread, and outside back of one of the calendar pages I'm turning into a junk journal. I did this over a week ago -- or, in our new pandemic-time change conversion chart, 8 years ago -- amidst trouble collecting my creative thoughts with everything going on. Trouble collecting most of my thoughts, in truth, as I'm working overtime to move from the edge of fight/flight/freeze to being present and mindful. That work helps so much at a time like this, but holy buckets is it exhausting.
I had several big (to me) plans that were rolling out soon for Wishmoon that are now on hold like everything else. Which isn't so bad, but it's been hard to feel that loss of excitement and anticipation for releasing a new thing in the world, even though I know the time will come again.
But I'm working in the studio, partially to process, partially to keep things moving forward, partially to determine how I want to contribute to this world that needs compassion and kindness and grace and comfort right now. I know, deeply, the power and healing that comes from embracing our creative side, and that this is a time when we need it as much as any other vital necessity. What my humble contribution to that looks like is still percolating....
In the meantime, I encourage you to take the time for yourself whenever you can, to take that deep breath, to close your eyes for a minute and listen to your heartbeat. It's a hard, scary time, I know, but I hope you can remember, as often as possible: all we've got is each other, and we need you.