The common thread here is "things we don't have control over." That causes us stress whether it is wild animals waiting to eat us, a virus waiting in infect us, or any other real or imagined threat, physical, emotional or financial. There is a lot we don't control, but actually quite a bit that we are able to influence. We really do need to concentrate on the latter.
The things that offend me (ok I went and looked at all the articles can't believe) is their consumer based ideation of our society. I can imagine that if I fell into the path of an oncoming train I would feel stress akin to a sabretooth tiger approaching me. But when my girlfriend confessed last Xmas eve that she was seriously considering suicide due to her depression, I didn't have a fight or flight response- more an exhaustion and sense of compassion and relief that i knew we could get to the emergency dept down the road. When mum tracked her poo across the carpet it didn't feel like a tiger was biting me it just felt like I need to clean her up and we could both take a nap. Naps. Self care has become a charm consumed by products all based on improving productivity. While we are at it, may I close with an expression of loathing with the term mental health for it too has been commodified and demands an adjective before it such as "good" or "poor". Huh. Didn't know i needed a rant. 🤔🐯🐯🐯💜
Oh Cory this was fabulous. Partly because my brain just melted away with all the words once I got the image of "important theorists" stuck on a savannah. Thank you SO MUCH for your emails this year. The rotty that took a dump on a toxic positivity rug is a highlight.
Me carer- of my partner.
Also until 8 was ago - part time carer of mother who went into a dementia unit 8wks ago.
Sitting in Sydney on Gadigal land.
You have sustained me with the truth that if I try to explain to other people they cut me off with "I hope you're looking after yourself" at which point my stress levels increase.
The common thread here is "things we don't have control over." That causes us stress whether it is wild animals waiting to eat us, a virus waiting in infect us, or any other real or imagined threat, physical, emotional or financial. There is a lot we don't control, but actually quite a bit that we are able to influence. We really do need to concentrate on the latter.
The things that offend me (ok I went and looked at all the articles can't believe) is their consumer based ideation of our society. I can imagine that if I fell into the path of an oncoming train I would feel stress akin to a sabretooth tiger approaching me. But when my girlfriend confessed last Xmas eve that she was seriously considering suicide due to her depression, I didn't have a fight or flight response- more an exhaustion and sense of compassion and relief that i knew we could get to the emergency dept down the road. When mum tracked her poo across the carpet it didn't feel like a tiger was biting me it just felt like I need to clean her up and we could both take a nap. Naps. Self care has become a charm consumed by products all based on improving productivity. While we are at it, may I close with an expression of loathing with the term mental health for it too has been commodified and demands an adjective before it such as "good" or "poor". Huh. Didn't know i needed a rant. 🤔🐯🐯🐯💜
Oh Cory this was fabulous. Partly because my brain just melted away with all the words once I got the image of "important theorists" stuck on a savannah. Thank you SO MUCH for your emails this year. The rotty that took a dump on a toxic positivity rug is a highlight.
Me carer- of my partner.
Also until 8 was ago - part time carer of mother who went into a dementia unit 8wks ago.
Sitting in Sydney on Gadigal land.
You have sustained me with the truth that if I try to explain to other people they cut me off with "I hope you're looking after yourself" at which point my stress levels increase.
You speak truth to the power.
May you have not too much of a shit show Xmas.
May you be safe.
See you in 2021.
Much appreciation
Janet Robertson
Aka janetplanet.jr@gmail.com