Hello friend,
1. It feels like a lifetime and a million heartbreaking headlines since I was last in your inbox. I hope you are doing well. To be honest, I’m struggling with how to approach this newsletter (and work in general). It’s such a strange emotional dissonance: being safe at home, happy and loving life, working my dream job, traveling… all while witnessing genocide, war, families being torn apart, our public lands being sold off, (do I keep going?…).
2. IF you’re looking for ways to take action, here are three small things that make a difference:
- Connect with your community IRL. Dom and I attended the No Kings rally last week, and it was heartening to see our neighbors show up for what matters: democracy, preserving public lands, and removing I.C.E. from our city. Beyond rallies and marches, community care can take many forms -I shared some inspiration in the image below!
- Call your reps. I use 5 Calls to call my representatives and leave messages about the issues I care about. Since I know we’re all on the same page about protecting public lands, here’s a script you can use to oppose the spending bill that would allow millions of acres to be sold off.
- Be mindful of your attention. Our attention is a precious, finite resource, and it’s constantly being hijacked by endless headlines designed to make us feel numb and disengaged. I want to gently encourage you to reclaim your attention. Be informed, but don’t let it consume you.
3. One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how we treat each other online and what we expect from one another.
I’ve seen so many creators calling out other creators… and no one is benefitting from any of it (except the algorithm, I guess). It feels like we’ve lost sight of who the real enemies are. If we’re going to call someone out, let it be our elected officials. Not our peers!
When it comes to expectations, I try not to hold many for strangers on the internet. I personally look for honesty, kindness, and authenticity in the creators I follow, but if someone’s content no longer resonates with me, I unfollow. It’s not that deep.
4. I believe we are all doing our best in a very broken world. The more we turn on each other, the more we play into the systems that benefit from our division. I wish we would use our digital spaces to connect, educate, organize, and inspire, not alienate one another.
5. Remember:
6. I’ve been re-reading Earth Is Hiring by Peta Kelly and wanted to share something I can’t stop thinking about: The Earth doesn’t need saving, humans do. Mother Earth has been around for billions of years. We are the ones who need help evolving.
So what can we do?
We start with self-love. I know it sounds cringe. But when you love yourself, you’re able to love others. That love spreads. It’s the butterfly effect! Collective healing starts on the inside!
7. So if you’re wondering how to love yourself when everything feels like it’s falling apart…
- Do things you love. What did 7-year-old you love doing? Riding bikes, swimming, watching movies, making collages, reading books all day? Start there.
- Set a boundary (or two). If you have an obligation in your life that makes you sick to your stomach, try saying “no”. Start small by refusing just one thing and watch how your life (and self-esteem) begin to shift.
- Move your body. Nourish it. Take a walk around the block. Or do a YouTube yoga video! Try five minutes of stretching or jumping jacks. Get the stagnant energy out… and then refuel with something nourishing.
- Say kind things to yourself. I know it might feel awkward, but talk out loud to yourself and do it with love. Compliment yourself in the mirror. Or when a self-deprecating thought pops up, say, “Ouch. That hurt. Actually, I think I’m doing great!” Even if you don’t believe it yet… keep going. You’re rewiring your brain!
- Go outside. More than ever, we need connection to nature. You don’t have to go far… You don’t even have to leave your backyard. Just get some fresh air and touch something alive (grass, water, rocks, a plant, dirt, anything)! Let the Earth remind you you’re part of something bigger.
8.
9. Since we last spoke, I’ve been spending lots of time at the Lower Salt River, and Dom and I went on a lovely vacation in Durango, Colorado. It’s a ~7-hour drive, so we brought our mountain bikes and went on a gorgeous (but very challenging) ride in Silverton. We stayed at a cute rental in downtown Durango and walked and rode our bikes everywhere! We went to the Saturday farmer’s market, did some shopping and dining downtown, and spent some time hanging out near the Animas River. Thanks to everyone who sent me recommendations, we had an amazing time!
10. As always, I am honored to be in your inbox. Thank you for being here! If you are struggling, please know you are not alone. Be kind to yourself and others. Call up a friend. Take a break from the news and (said with love), go touch grass!
Sending light, Jacey
(and Kelso + Toasty 🐱)
Jacey Out West
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