the sounds she collected, playlists 37 + 38
a bonus playlist and songs for whatever mood you find yourself in.
Well, here we are. I read that high stress stemming from collective uncertainty can cause people to react in one of two ways: hyper-productivity, or the inability to complete much of anything at all. I fall into the latter camp. While work distracts me from my thoughts, outside of that it’s a lot of Netflix bingeing, reading half a book only to move onto something else, listening to a lot of music, streaming Instagram Live concerts, and keeping a 9pm bedtime, because what else is there to do?
I hope you are coping the best you can, whatever that looks like.
These days, I miss so many things I took for granted. The little things, like riding the bus and listening to a podcast, staring out the window on Western Avenue as commuters flitted to their destinations. I miss going to concerts, with people huddled together without fear. I miss embraces and groups laughing and standing in lines. I miss bumping into someone only to utter that Midwestern “No, you go ahead.” I miss the uncertainty that’s promised in a new day. I miss taking walks throughout the neighborhood without the thought, Should I be wearing a mask? I miss receiving mail without wanting to Lysol it. I miss the illusion of security I used to feel, once wrapped tightly around me, now scattered and displaced. I miss dinner parties. I miss going places, any place. I miss small exchanges. I miss meeting someone new. I miss wine nights and road trips and getting dressed up and house parties and dive bars and buzzy restaurants and the lakefront and my routine and living my life instead of absolving myself in stories of others on the television while it’s paused.
But these things will all come back to me, and your things will all come back to you. And when they do, we’ll be different. We all will. And I hope the compassion shown during this time continues to increase tenfold. Because we share this time together, and my only wish is that we keep taking care of each other.
For reflection/chill vibes: >>> PLAYLIST 37: FAKE EMPIRE <<< (best played in order)
For movement/solo dance parties: >>> PLAYLIST 38: DANCING WITH MYSELF <<< (best on shuffle)
In an effort to share how we’re all dealing with this, I’d love to hear what you’re doing to stay grounded during these times so I can share with the group in the next letter. What are you reading? What are you listening to? Are you doing nothing at all? All are good answers.
Keep on keeping on,
Sarah
P.S. Next week’s letter will be full of more JOYFUL THINGS. If you found resources that give you joy a la penguins roaming aquariums, send ‘em my way.