Yes! It’s such an effective image because that’s exactly how life feels. I’ve got two little ones and juggling all the aspects of life, it’s so much to keep track of. Even in all the chaos, I hope you’re making time for yourself too!
Beautifully said. This week has felt so dark & heavy, and it’s just as valid to feel that way watching from overseas, because unfortunately the effect of hateful rhetoric & harmful policies reaches far beyond the U.S. Raising kids also adds another layer of stress, as I’m constantly in between doomscrolling/worrying for their future and trying to be present with them. I’m just always glad to hear of other moms who feel the same. 🫶🏻
You're so right. Raising kids in this environment adds another layer of stress, weight, urgency, and concern. It's so much to carry. I write about some of these tough topics so we can feel a little less alone and maybe pause the doomscrolling (I'm guilty too!) for just a moment and process all that's happening within us and around us.
I have been in Spain for almost a month now. The plan is to stay here forever. I totally understand how you are feeling. It's definitely strange. Between the political situation (which makes me mostly happy I am gone) and the fires in LA (which is where we lived), it's a weird position to be in. Connected, but disconnected at the same time. Happy to be disconnected, but feeling guilty (??) about it at the same time. Weird, like I - and you - say.
Spain is so wonderful. I spent a month in Barcelona last year. Where are you based?
Couldn’t agree more - it’s weird being over here. I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth or space on the page but the LA fires add another layer. My best friend is fine but evacuated in the fires. January has felt like a very long month.
Really beautiful Cheyanne. I feel so much heaviness too and am glad to be away from the U.S. for now. But it is heartbreaking to feel so disconnected from your home country and to know that so many are going to suffer from the awful policies that are being enacted. Being across an ocean brings safety and contentment, but also makes me feel a bit impotent. Of course as others have pointed out, the forces of racism and misogyny and xenophobia are on the rise in other places too, so somehow we all have to shine a little brighter to push back on all this darkness.
Impotent feels like such a good word for it. It’s a different mix of emotions over here. But yes, it’s rising everywhere. The consequences in the States aren’t going to stay on its shores.
Funny, despite publishing weekly I frequently say “I’m a leader who writes, not a writer.”
Things have been heavy this week. I fear for so many of our futures. I’m intentionally ignoring the news cycle but don’t know that I can stick my head in the sand for 4 years. Need to develop coping strategies. And perhaps a business plan for something that can support and enable the resistance. Not sure what that is yet but that thought has been swirling in my head lately … how can I take what I’m good at and put it to use to resist. 🤷♀️
I’m sure there’s a post in there somewhere - why we resist claiming our space and skills. You’re absolutely a writer!
If you ever make the business plan to fund the resistance, let me know. I’ve been thinking through similar things like maybe my answer isn’t to go back to work right now. Maybe it’s to find ways to resist. I have a feeling my Substack writing will continue to evolve along these lines.
I'm excited to see how you evolve your writing and lean into the resistance. :-) And yes, I suspect there is a post in there, somewhere. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight!
Sending love and strength Cheyanne! I’m not American so I think the events in the US resonate differently for me, but I can definitely relate to the mixed feelings, the overwhelm, the encroaching darkness. You’re not alone, we’re all in this together ❤️
Thanks Ingrid! I’m always curious as to how US politics affect non-Americans. I know it’s such a hot topic here in Paris. But I do think the feelings of heaviness and darkness like you said is collective. Community is the only way through this!
Thoughts with you and all Americans everywhere, we are all going to be negatively affected by this so all need to reach out to find the light. And hope that something can change it, just as it did in 1940's Europe. Your poem is beautiful in it's words and sentiment, your are a writer.
Yes, unfortunately it won’t stay isolated to the States between trade wars, actual wars, the spread of vile ideology, it’s… a lot. But together we will find ways to get to the light.
Exactly, the social media wars and takeover are already having a huge effect and I can't bring myself to think about what influence he will have on conflicts. X
The snow globe image you shared really speaks to me. I am stuck between raising kids and caring for my parents and my life is constantly swirling.
Yes! It’s such an effective image because that’s exactly how life feels. I’ve got two little ones and juggling all the aspects of life, it’s so much to keep track of. Even in all the chaos, I hope you’re making time for yourself too!
Beautifully said. This week has felt so dark & heavy, and it’s just as valid to feel that way watching from overseas, because unfortunately the effect of hateful rhetoric & harmful policies reaches far beyond the U.S. Raising kids also adds another layer of stress, as I’m constantly in between doomscrolling/worrying for their future and trying to be present with them. I’m just always glad to hear of other moms who feel the same. 🫶🏻
You're so right. Raising kids in this environment adds another layer of stress, weight, urgency, and concern. It's so much to carry. I write about some of these tough topics so we can feel a little less alone and maybe pause the doomscrolling (I'm guilty too!) for just a moment and process all that's happening within us and around us.
I have been in Spain for almost a month now. The plan is to stay here forever. I totally understand how you are feeling. It's definitely strange. Between the political situation (which makes me mostly happy I am gone) and the fires in LA (which is where we lived), it's a weird position to be in. Connected, but disconnected at the same time. Happy to be disconnected, but feeling guilty (??) about it at the same time. Weird, like I - and you - say.
Spain is so wonderful. I spent a month in Barcelona last year. Where are you based?
Couldn’t agree more - it’s weird being over here. I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth or space on the page but the LA fires add another layer. My best friend is fine but evacuated in the fires. January has felt like a very long month.
I'm in Valencia. I'm pretty sure I like it more than Barcelona. It's an incredible city to live in.
A good friend of mine just moved to Valencia. I need to go visit!
You will love it!
Really beautiful Cheyanne. I feel so much heaviness too and am glad to be away from the U.S. for now. But it is heartbreaking to feel so disconnected from your home country and to know that so many are going to suffer from the awful policies that are being enacted. Being across an ocean brings safety and contentment, but also makes me feel a bit impotent. Of course as others have pointed out, the forces of racism and misogyny and xenophobia are on the rise in other places too, so somehow we all have to shine a little brighter to push back on all this darkness.
Impotent feels like such a good word for it. It’s a different mix of emotions over here. But yes, it’s rising everywhere. The consequences in the States aren’t going to stay on its shores.
Funny, despite publishing weekly I frequently say “I’m a leader who writes, not a writer.”
Things have been heavy this week. I fear for so many of our futures. I’m intentionally ignoring the news cycle but don’t know that I can stick my head in the sand for 4 years. Need to develop coping strategies. And perhaps a business plan for something that can support and enable the resistance. Not sure what that is yet but that thought has been swirling in my head lately … how can I take what I’m good at and put it to use to resist. 🤷♀️
I’m sure there’s a post in there somewhere - why we resist claiming our space and skills. You’re absolutely a writer!
If you ever make the business plan to fund the resistance, let me know. I’ve been thinking through similar things like maybe my answer isn’t to go back to work right now. Maybe it’s to find ways to resist. I have a feeling my Substack writing will continue to evolve along these lines.
I'm excited to see how you evolve your writing and lean into the resistance. :-) And yes, I suspect there is a post in there, somewhere. Stay strong and keep fighting the good fight!
Sending love and strength Cheyanne! I’m not American so I think the events in the US resonate differently for me, but I can definitely relate to the mixed feelings, the overwhelm, the encroaching darkness. You’re not alone, we’re all in this together ❤️
Thanks Ingrid! I’m always curious as to how US politics affect non-Americans. I know it’s such a hot topic here in Paris. But I do think the feelings of heaviness and darkness like you said is collective. Community is the only way through this!
Thoughts with you and all Americans everywhere, we are all going to be negatively affected by this so all need to reach out to find the light. And hope that something can change it, just as it did in 1940's Europe. Your poem is beautiful in it's words and sentiment, your are a writer.
Yes, unfortunately it won’t stay isolated to the States between trade wars, actual wars, the spread of vile ideology, it’s… a lot. But together we will find ways to get to the light.
And TYSM for your kind words about my poem 🫶🏻
Exactly, the social media wars and takeover are already having a huge effect and I can't bring myself to think about what influence he will have on conflicts. X