Heh, I agree that not counting chickens is v sensible, it's my unshakeable feeling that a malevolent force is going to decide to take away the chickens if I speak too fondly/optimistically about them that might be a little less sensible.
Oh and I forgot: my beloved grandma was Japanese and 4 is unlucky in Japan. She was strongly anti-4. And then she died on February 4th. And now I also superstitiously avoid 4. Sometimes I try to be cool and accept a 4 in my life but part of me is always thinking ".... but WHAT IF??"
Ooh, I'm also very much in the "don't count your chickens before they hatch/don't tempt fate" superstition camp - actually kind of relieved to see I'm not the only one. Like, Mr. Fiddlergirl and I have been talking about having kids and I CAN.NOT. bring myself to say "when we have kids ...", it has to be "when AND IF we have kids" because I know infertility and miscarriages and etc are things and just. Yeah.
I don't believe in ghosts but I don't... exactly NOT believe in ghosts, either, you know?
Ooh, I would love to write that piece! I'll keep it in mind as I go forward on this.
ALSO my BFF had her baby last night, a month early and unexpectedly, but it sounds like everyone's fine and there is a gorgeous photo of them on facebook and it's just making me FEEL ALL THE FEELS. I don't know what to do with this (as they are many states away) except go down to the bookstore tonight and buy that kid my favorite childhood book (Bread and Jam for Frances).
This is a wonderful, personal piece. Thank you for sharing it.
Just wanted to voice additional support for setting boundaries to avoid perpetual outrage. I'm figuring that out for myself, too, and it's a work in progress, probably will be for a while. But I've done the perpetual outrage thing before and like you, I couldn't function and it didn't lead to anything good or healthy or productive, for myself or those around me or any of the causes I care about. Engagement and self-care are both important. Good luck to you! <3
I've also been trying to ditch (or at least moderate) my avoidant tendencies and do the eye contact with + maybe even smile at + be kind to strangers. Connection feels so important after the election and this is a change for me but it also feels like something I'm capable of, for maybe the first time.
Metalsmith/forging workshop sounds so cool!!
congrats on reclaiming music! I'm in the same process, or have been for about 2 years since returning to music as a serious hobby/creative outlet, and I agree, it is glorious. yay music!
(also congrats on the reading tests!)
Our training session this week (coincidentally, planned months in advance) was on suicide prevention and crisis counseling and it was surprisingly cathartic and grounding, in addition to being super informative and helpful as a trainee. ALL THE FEELS.
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Brainchild