Fascinating. Many sources of inspiration, like this article, which are helping me navigate this soul crushing current US and worldwide deep ugliness, seem to eventually winnow down to point to the possibilities found in building community. Community seems to be the antidote to the pervasive meanness- and it's something each one of us can grow right now and every day from the ground up at the same time that we're resisting oppression and working for better. Thank you, Raksha. So inspiring and eye opening.
Oh, Scandinavia! Have you read Helen Russell's The Year of Living Danishly? It explores some of the benefits (and realities) you've described above and is a personal and funny reflection on what moving out of the rat race and experiencing another way of life can look like.
This really resonated. As a mom, I know how hard it is to give friends that unhurried attention, and your reflection made me think about how much policy shapes what’s possible. Thank you for putting words to this.
I deeply related to this essay, Raksha. It felt so sad and so true, especially the section on subbing fictional characters for friends because people just don't have enough time to live.
Thank you Clare. I still cherish my relationships with characters in my favorite books, but this trip was a wake-up call that they're no substitute for real-life friends. The former doesn't require anything of me while the latter demands time and care and commitment. It's a lot more work but that also makes it more precious.
I feel all of this so strongly. We’ve created an American world where we are constantly suspicious, constantly anxious, constantly exhausted. Now that so many of us work from home since the pandemic (let your tiny home also be your lonely workplace!) it’s even worse.
Totally. And it so easily doesn't have to be that way: I see that more clearly now than before. We have the resources to make the system more equitable and supportive for people's lives outside of work -- but not the political will.
Just so lovely, Raksha! Deeply resonant. I, like most of us in the creative sphere, am struggling with nearly all of the things mentioned here. It’s awful but I know community is the way forward.
Thank you so much Gioncarlo and while I'm sorry to hear you struggle with the same things, it's also comforting to know I'm not alone. La luta continua.
This post resonates with me so much. My husband and I were fortunate enough to travel Europe for three years as digital nomads and I felt like I was being deprogrammed, like my life has been one big cultic brainwash.
Seeing the type of security you describe in your article really opened my eyes to how broken the system is in the US. Before leaving for Europe, I had been very ill with mysterious symptoms doctors could not figure out. 90% of them disappeared in Europe and my food allergies completed subsided.
We are back in the states for reasons beyond our control and I've been getting sicker and sicker each month, with doctors as baffled as they were the first time. This place is toxic.
Oh Todra, I'm so sorry to hear about your health issues. I also noticed my food allergies subsided in Europe, but I chalked that up to the escape from stress that comes with being on vacation. But there's probably more to it. I totally agree America is toxic is so many ways (and only getting worse), and the worst part is how so much of it is normalized. I'm newly amazed that we accept such deep inequality.
wowww this post went straight to my heart. It was such a treat to read you and see you two together. Cheers to you both for sustaining your friendship through so much change. Thrilled to see it.
Also, as working parent in a sector riddled by layoffs, I feel and see every truth you named... and I am also exhausted at the end of the day to do more...
Fascinating. Many sources of inspiration, like this article, which are helping me navigate this soul crushing current US and worldwide deep ugliness, seem to eventually winnow down to point to the possibilities found in building community. Community seems to be the antidote to the pervasive meanness- and it's something each one of us can grow right now and every day from the ground up at the same time that we're resisting oppression and working for better. Thank you, Raksha. So inspiring and eye opening.
Thank you so much for reading, Ann ❤️
Oh, Scandinavia! Have you read Helen Russell's The Year of Living Danishly? It explores some of the benefits (and realities) you've described above and is a personal and funny reflection on what moving out of the rat race and experiencing another way of life can look like.
I haven’t read it but sounds like I should! Thank you for the suggestion
This really resonated. As a mom, I know how hard it is to give friends that unhurried attention, and your reflection made me think about how much policy shapes what’s possible. Thank you for putting words to this.
Thank you, Nora, for reading! I so appreciate your time and attention 💛
I deeply related to this essay, Raksha. It felt so sad and so true, especially the section on subbing fictional characters for friends because people just don't have enough time to live.
Thank you Clare. I still cherish my relationships with characters in my favorite books, but this trip was a wake-up call that they're no substitute for real-life friends. The former doesn't require anything of me while the latter demands time and care and commitment. It's a lot more work but that also makes it more precious.
I feel all of this so strongly. We’ve created an American world where we are constantly suspicious, constantly anxious, constantly exhausted. Now that so many of us work from home since the pandemic (let your tiny home also be your lonely workplace!) it’s even worse.
Totally. And it so easily doesn't have to be that way: I see that more clearly now than before. We have the resources to make the system more equitable and supportive for people's lives outside of work -- but not the political will.
Just so lovely, Raksha! Deeply resonant. I, like most of us in the creative sphere, am struggling with nearly all of the things mentioned here. It’s awful but I know community is the way forward.
Thank you so much Gioncarlo and while I'm sorry to hear you struggle with the same things, it's also comforting to know I'm not alone. La luta continua.
This post resonates with me so much. My husband and I were fortunate enough to travel Europe for three years as digital nomads and I felt like I was being deprogrammed, like my life has been one big cultic brainwash.
Seeing the type of security you describe in your article really opened my eyes to how broken the system is in the US. Before leaving for Europe, I had been very ill with mysterious symptoms doctors could not figure out. 90% of them disappeared in Europe and my food allergies completed subsided.
We are back in the states for reasons beyond our control and I've been getting sicker and sicker each month, with doctors as baffled as they were the first time. This place is toxic.
Oh Todra, I'm so sorry to hear about your health issues. I also noticed my food allergies subsided in Europe, but I chalked that up to the escape from stress that comes with being on vacation. But there's probably more to it. I totally agree America is toxic is so many ways (and only getting worse), and the worst part is how so much of it is normalized. I'm newly amazed that we accept such deep inequality.
So many people I know had better experiences with food abroad. It's crazy.
wowww this post went straight to my heart. It was such a treat to read you and see you two together. Cheers to you both for sustaining your friendship through so much change. Thrilled to see it.
Also, as working parent in a sector riddled by layoffs, I feel and see every truth you named... and I am also exhausted at the end of the day to do more...
We spoke of you Sara!! And I totally understand your exhaustion. I see now more clearly the total lack of support here for working parents.