The first time I volunteered for a political campaign I was a junior in high school. The Dean of Student’s husband, a local attorney, was running for a spot on the city council. Somehow, me and a few other girls decided to help. Probably because I adored Dean Chandler. She was young, with a good sense of humor and unlike the previous dean, a stern looking woman with a harsh middle part, Jenny Chandler was approachable. Her husband, equally nice, did not win. But that didn’t sour me on grassroots politics. (Plus door knocking and talking to total strangers proved good practice for later jobs.)
The US presidential election is a hair over two weeks away. Here in Berlin, I’m safer from the constant ads and pleas for money. The endless polls and promises. I still can’t wait until it’s over. The stress, even if I’m not at home, is a lot.
In times of stress, I preach comfort! Good food, kind people, small treats. So tell me, dear reader, what’s giving you some fresh life these days? Is it pumpkin spice or your surprise Halloween costume? Your kiddo’s first tooth or a trip you’re planning? The best grade in your class on a final project? A client success? A new book you can’t wait to dive into?
Photo by Hannah Pemberton via Unsplash
What’s filling your cup these days? I’ll chime in with two things for every comment here AND send you a postcard from Berlin.
PS. Thanks to everyone (I see you Susannah!!) who is OUT THERE volunteering, phone banking, sending post cards and doing whatever they can to get people to vote. I’m grateful.
Every Friday night, we host whoever wants to watch the Great British Bakeoff. The screening is preceded by chat and blowing off steam from the week. I look forward to it every week!
Oh, and another thing--a person I really like recommended the book Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte and reading it is revelatory! So thanks for that ;)
Two of mine: 1) going to see art. It's bizarre to me that I can forget how much I love museums but I do/did. I went by myself to a massive Warhol retrospective a few weeks ago which was incredible. Last week my husband and I saw a Franz Hals exhibit. I bought postcards to remind me of how powerful art is for me.
2) SNL reruns. Even the realllly old ones from when I was in high school can feed my spirit. Toonces the Driving Cat!
Every night, I pop a 100-calorie bag of popcorn, have a few pieces of chocolate, and a Diet Pepsi, and watch an episode of one of my favorite shows. I look forward to this simple routine all day! My other comfort is just watching classic movies and escaping this present nightmare of the US election. I can't wait until it's over, but I'm also terrified of the results!
Two of mine: 1) We have a very cheap store called Penny around the corner from where I live. It's near a restaurant we like. On the way home about a month ago, there were at least 2 dozen orchids sitting outside the shop. 6 Euros. So cheap! I bought one, feed her ice cubes once a week and she sits on my desk.
2) I've shared them on Instagram mainly but I'm taking pictures of different textures that I see around the city. UBahn station names, building facades, the nubbiness of a coconut biscuit, wool from a knitting store. "Everyday Beauty" is one of my personal values and these textures snaps are a way to delight in that value.
Every Friday night, we host whoever wants to watch the Great British Bakeoff. The screening is preceded by chat and blowing off steam from the week. I look forward to it every week!
Oh, and another thing--a person I really like recommended the book Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte and reading it is revelatory! So thanks for that ;)
That's what my daughter and I do on Friday nights, too - watch the Great British Bakeoff!
Two of mine: 1) going to see art. It's bizarre to me that I can forget how much I love museums but I do/did. I went by myself to a massive Warhol retrospective a few weeks ago which was incredible. Last week my husband and I saw a Franz Hals exhibit. I bought postcards to remind me of how powerful art is for me.
2) SNL reruns. Even the realllly old ones from when I was in high school can feed my spirit. Toonces the Driving Cat!
And yay! Brigid Schulte is terrific.
That’s a real gem of a Friday night Julia!! I love that it’s open to anyone who wants to watch with y’all. So fun!!
Every night, I pop a 100-calorie bag of popcorn, have a few pieces of chocolate, and a Diet Pepsi, and watch an episode of one of my favorite shows. I look forward to this simple routine all day! My other comfort is just watching classic movies and escaping this present nightmare of the US election. I can't wait until it's over, but I'm also terrified of the results!
Two of mine: 1) We have a very cheap store called Penny around the corner from where I live. It's near a restaurant we like. On the way home about a month ago, there were at least 2 dozen orchids sitting outside the shop. 6 Euros. So cheap! I bought one, feed her ice cubes once a week and she sits on my desk.
2) I've shared them on Instagram mainly but I'm taking pictures of different textures that I see around the city. UBahn station names, building facades, the nubbiness of a coconut biscuit, wool from a knitting store. "Everyday Beauty" is one of my personal values and these textures snaps are a way to delight in that value.
Your picture project sounds so very cool!
Thanks! I’m thinking of pasting them into one image when I’m done and maybe printing a poster.
I love simple rituals to help us stay the course, especially during these stressful times. And same: terrified.