Three Ways to Mitigate Existential Crisis

Friends, it has been a tough couple of weeks. I have been avoiding writing a blog post this week, because between the terrible fires to the south of us and the expected but disastrous policy changes of the last week, I’m feeling so sad and discouraged. It feels impossible to just go on with business as usual, but I also feel powerless to help in any meaningful way, and even words feel empty. However, in the last couple of days I have found a few glimmers of hope, ideas and actions that have given me comfort, and I thought I would share for anyone who is dealing with similar feelings.

1.Foster Your Community (and work with your hands)

I spent Monday with a group of friends, having a really nice brunch and working on quilt projects. We get together once a month to talk about our creative projects and related topics, and to share our work, but this was the first time (since I joined the group, anyway) that we had actually worked on our projects together, and it was so much fun! I have long been interested in the connection between working with your hands and well-being, but I hadn’t thought that much about the social aspect, probably because I almost always work alone. There is a reason that quilting bees have been a thing for centuries! It really does feel different to work in a community, and it got me through what would otherwise have been a pretty dark day for me. I fell into this group by chance, but for those of you who may not have a similar community and want one, I’ve noticed a lot of social circles popping up, some through online networks like Meetup, art communities and Nextdoor, and some through local spots like fabric stores and art supply stores. It’s worth looking into!

2. Know Your Values (and stick to them)

Those of you who know my brand know that preserving our environment and preventing (more) climate change are values that I care deeply about. So the recent steps backward from environmental initiatives are…troubling (to say the least). But I know there are so many people that share this view, and the fact that the governmental initiatives are changing doesn’t mean that we need to change our actions. We need to keep working towards minimizing our climate footprint and keep supporting climate smart investments, despite lack of government incentives. Every fraction of warming we can prevent matters, and we need to keep thinking ambitiously, not stop trying.

3. Support companies that share your values.

More than ever, companies are being direct about their corporate values, from DEI policies to environmental initiatives. I have to believe that many companies will continue those commitments, especially those who have professed to be values-driven companies. I’m sure there are many who will take “advantage” of looser regulations (though personally I don’t consider them advantages), and those companies do not need my dollars. As consumers, we have a lot of choice over where to put our money, and over the next weeks and months I plan to be more selective about where I spend. By supporting businesses – and especially small businesses – who operate with kindness, openness and concern for our planet, I find a sense of shared purpose, and agency to continue to work toward my hopeful vision for the future.