Sometimes You Just Need a Break

And I hope it doesn't take getting COVID for you to get it

So, last week I tested positive for COVID. I started feeling sick on Monday, tested positive on a rapid test for the first time on Tuesday, and spent all last week coughing and sleeping. I was very lucky not to get a fever or shortness of breath, and I’m already feeling much better even though the positive tests have not slacked off one bit. And as a person with regular insomnia I can tell you COVID is a great cure. Otherwise, 0/10, DO NOT ENDORSE. 

Because that COVID fatigue is no joke, I spent most of last week lying in bed watching British mysteries and the Barefoot Contessa. Sometimes, even when the world is burning that’s all you can do, whether because of illness or because you just can’t keep going anymore. It gets very overwhelming, being a person these days, with all this horrible news coming at you from all directions. Here are some things I try to keep in mind: 

1. We don't live in a fucked/not fucked binary - every little bit helps. Moms Demand Action has gotten a lot of good state laws passed, and blocked a lot of terrible ones. Harm reduction is important, local ordinances are important, all of it matters. Even if the big, sweeping change we need is out of reach, we can still make a difference. There's also never a point where we win completely and the fight is suddenly over, but that means there's never an end point for the forces against us either. We can always make a difference.

2. All of these problems are interrelated. Food insecurity and gun reform and public safety and health care and education and civil rights and libraries and music programs and community centers and elections are all part of the same network. Which means no matter what issue you're working on, you're helping fight the whole terrible system. Anything you do that helps other people helps these big political fights. It's all important.

3. Sometimes disengaging is good. I take news cycles off sometimes - just decide that I don't have the capacity to get into whatever's going on and stop paying attention. You're a person who deserves to feel happy and healthy and whole and if that means you need to take a break, take a break! All of this will be here when you feel more ready to engage again.

In an effort to actually encourage some breaks, I only have one task for you this week - no decisions need to be made! Please send an email or a text to three people reminding them of upcoming primary or election dates and asking them to check their voter registration. You can see a sample of the email I just sent to friends/family who live in New York here (here’s hoping yours is less complicated). And you can find all the information on election dates and registration deadlines here. 

Your friends and family are more likely to listen to you than anyone else when it comes to voting and politics, and you can make a huge difference by ensuring they have all the info they need to make their voices heard. And bonus, if you’re taking a break right now and resting, you can always do this later because it isn’t time sensitive. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I’m happy to help you find info or craft your notes or give you talking points!