⛑ What's Saving My Life Right Now
Feral desperation, belting show tunes, and fixating on bacne while the world burns.
About three months ago, I was gently placed into a giant catapult, patted on the head in an extremely condescending manner, and someone with large biceps pulled that catapult down to the ground. With an evil grin, Large Biceps let go and I’ve been hurtling through the air ever since, attempting to buy school supplies, call my senators, be an emotional sherpa, have friendships, write a book, find ADHD meds for a kid during a national shortage, prep for live shows, feed people, and attend Meet the Teachers out the wazoo, all while careening with no parachute through the endless void of time and space.
And look, as I am sure is the case for most of you, it’s mostly things we are glad to do. I’m excited to work where I work and get to travel and meet people who like the work I am a part of. (Will I see any of you in Austin this weekend?) My kids love playing volleyball and I love watching them do things they love, so I don’t mind the running back and forth to practices and matches and picking up food for tournaments. And even the stuff that’s not always fun (like scrambling to find focalin before your kid takes a diagnostic test), it’s purposeful, right?
But I need a MINUTE.
And then when I get a minute I start spiraling, thinking about how we as a society are so individualized when so many of our stressors could be eliminated with true community, but we’re afraid. Afraid of vulnerability (🙋🏻♀️), afraid of unknowns (🙋🏻♀️), and afraid of weakness (🙋🏻♀️). But we get glimpses of it, and those glimpses are glorious. This is what that’s looked like for me these past few months.
you’re doing great.
is anyone available to hang out?
how is she feeling?
progress! we love to see it!
tell me more.
are you okay?
we’ve got you.
well it’s a start at least.
let us know if we need to kick someone’s ass.
i got my power back.
i saved you a seat.
we gotta wait. it’s a full bottle of wine story.
i miss you so much.
215 my ass.
i really do love little us.
i needed to hear this.
i can’t come anymore and i’m really sad.
this feels affirming.
drowning but fine.
i’m glad it’s water and not feces.
how cute are we supposed to be for this?
praying but not in a stupid way.
thank you. i love you. i’m sorry.
I took these from my actual text messages from my actual friends because they are the first thing that is saving my life right now, some I sent and some which were sent to me. Take what you need, if you need one. I cannot express the power of a simple message, a quick check-in, a reminder to someone that you’re thinking about them. It’s stupidly simple, it sometimes feels like a mountain to climb. I’m begging you to go first. Not to wait and not to let someone else be the initiator. Our beloved David Gate posted the perfect poem today to go along with this sentiment.
Of course, friendships can do a lot but what about screaming at our senators and singing in the car and putting something in an online shopping cart?! Let’s get some serotonin flowing in a more immediate sense, shall we?
(Also quick reminder before the paywall, dis/entangle starts next week and we would love for you to join us. It’s not “deconstruct your faith in six weeks!” It’s for those who are working out the knots of their faith, who need space to commit to disentangling their spirituality, and who want to rethink their connection to God. You can go through it by yourself, or you can be in the comments. There’s no pressure at all. This is also the last time we’ll host dis/entangle in this form on my Substack because it’s getting a huge glow-up and Princess Mia Thermopolis make-over as a workbook to go along with my book-book! So, if you want to join us for just $12 over the course of two months, you can click that little button below. And as always, if you want to join, but it’s not in the budget, please email us at hello@erinhmoon.com and we will get you sorted, no justification needed. Carry on.)
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