In Taylor Swift's recently released music documentary, Folklore (a live, in-studio performance of her record of the same name), she says of this time in the pandemic, "If we're going to have to recalibrate everything, we should start with what we love the most, first." She refers to the album as a "floatation device" for herself (in the making of it) and her fans (in the consuming).
Tay hit the nail on the head for what we all need right about now: floatation devices. Some of them may be creations of our own making and some may be balms offered by hundreds of thousands of creators that are piecing their way through this pandemic. (Here is a link of resources for artists if you need it!)
We need to take the coming months in manageable bite-sized bits, but the arc of history is slowly bending toward something better: The vaccine is making its way into the world, and the current "president" has only four weeks left in the White House. So what makes you feel safe, joyful, or stronger than yesterday? What rituals will give you something solid to stand on as you head into the new year?
What are your floatation devices this winter?
Identify them. Keep them small and doable. Write down what they are and why they matter to you. And find a way to keep track on paper, on an app, or with a partner who will give you a ping of recognition every time you put another solid plank in that foundation. If you need help figuring out how to do this, The Habit Trip offers a concrete framework for building your foundation. That's why I wrote it—easy access to figure out what you need and how to get it!
Whatever your rituals are, I hope you get a whole lot of them this week. Sending love from my family to yours. (Photo pre-pandemic... it was the last time another person was able to handle my phone!)
Sarah
The World Economic Forum has published a round up of 9 Good News Stories from 2020 that are truly inspiring. Despite all the hardship this year, science and progress won. A few of the good news stories?
There were huge breakthroughs in cancer and hepatitis care.
The World Food Programme won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping more than 100 million people worldwide with hunger and food insecurity.
Net-zero commitments to reduce carbon and climate change doubled in less than a year.
Representation of women in government is skyrocketing.
Dozens of species have been saved from extinction.
Plastic usage is being reduced worldwide.
And of course, the coronavirus vaccine was created and tested in less than a year. We have a long way to go, but there is so much hope in this list.
Shannon D., this photo gives me all the feels. Thanks for gifting The Habit Trip to so many people and for this amazing photo!
I love the photos you're all posting! Keep them coming, and please tag me so I can thank you!
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