In tumultuous times, it helps to remember that building a culture of care is ultimately what will root us together when systems fail and try to drive us apart.
Electoral politics as part of a larger harmful system, is only one way to move towards change. Meaningful movement-making and generative transformation is always happening deep in our interconnected roots. I see this every day in the big and small ways we gather, create, imagine and tend our lives together. I felt it last week in community during our Radicle Ritual Equinox Planner Party.
We always have the power to lean into and cultivate this kind of connective energy no matter what challenging season or cycle we are in.
Our only way forward is together.
As we head into next week, I am inviting us all to root deeper into caring for one another, and I am offering several ways for us to plan and connect.
First… Create Your Election Aftercare Plan
One beautiful practice I’ve learned from the kink community, is the importance of intentionally creating aftercare. Negotiating, prioritizing and planning for how to tend to needs following an intense experience allows us to preemptively think about what care needs might arise and how to meet those needs with the support of others. This practice of holding intentional space for collective care is incredibly healing.
Now is the time to think about and plan for what your aftercare needs will be come next Wednesday. Use the 5 Bodies Framework to help you create your plan.
SOMA | our physical bodies
What somatic tending will your body need? Where might you schedule in either active or passive rest (yes, put it in your planner!)? What physical comforts and nourishment might you gather to have in your nest?
AURA | our emotional bodies
How might you safely express your emotions? Can you tap in and name your feelings out loud? Where are your feelings located and how might you move to shift them? What emotional supports will you need?
PSYA | our psychological bodies
What therapeutic modalities or medicines help with overwhelm? What boundaries can you create around your time and social media to help interrupt overload and create more spaciousness?
TERRA | our cultural and collective body
Where can you lean into community and connection? How might we be better resourced by tending the energy and emotions together? What might you have to give? What can you allow yourself to receive?
ANIMA | our spiritual body
Lean on your ancestors. Go to church (the studio, the temple, the sea) and pray, mend, scream, cry. Make time to connect with something/someone you love. Wonder at what is beautiful, here, now.
Next… Practice in Tend Studio (for free)
Tend Studio, my online community space on Mighty Networks, is now open to all! Every week I offer a free prompt to practice being and belonging through the 5 Bodies Framework. Other events and offerings are also hosted there, as a way to be and belong together. Join us… and use this link to invite a friend!
(image by Montserrat Vargas)
Finally… Download the 2025 Radicle Ritual Planner for free!
My yearly planner is now available for all Patreon supporters! As always, it is my sincere thank you for helping to resource and care for me and my work in a meaningfully sustainable and reciprocal way.
I want to extend special thanks to Susan Carpenter Sims for helping me edit this year’s planner! I could not have done it without her generous time, energy and support of this project. Susan also creates beautiful and meaningful collage work and handmade decks for healing and connection, and is a voice for fellow adoptees. You can connect with Susan and follow her work here.
The planner will be widely available and free for all on Solstice, December 21st!
Also… it’s International Adoptee Awareness Month
November is IAAM. In light of all the recent disruption reverberating throughout the global adoptee community, I have decided to give my attention and efforts this year towards offering resources and community care to fellow adoptees. Stay tuned for offerings to come!
Community Care Resources
“It’s Just like you said it would be” by Wally Dion (above)
Still struggling with how to best leverage your vote? The latest episode of How to Survive the End of the World (and the entire election series) is super helpful!
Collage Club for collective anxiety at Wildflower Alliance in western MA
This reminder and a kind of care not to be forgotten
A little HOPE from Chai Wolfman
Contribute your work to the Quilt for Palestine
Decolonizing Adoption + Creative Resistance workshop series
“A conversation about the universe with honey bees.” by Ava Roth
Contribute your “sorry” to Jen LaMastra’s community craftivism project
And please remember…
We can not shame each other into change.
We can only love and care for each other towards collective evolution.
Hold tight, friends.
I am with you.
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