March Journal
It did cross my mind to completely skip the journal post this month. It seems like we are in very scary limbo at the moment and I didn’t know where to start or end in relation to COVID-19. So for this month I am going to skip the structure of organising my highs and lows. Before reading this I just wanted to know that I am thinking of you all, I hope you are okay, I hope your family & loved ones are okay.
The month that was..
This month has been a rollercoaster. I went from a joyful weekend dog-sitting my brother & sister-in-laws stunning golden retriever (aka good boy) cross poodle (less of a good boy) Jeff to my mum being tested for COVID (she thank god came back negative). To spending time with my baby niece to not being able to physically visit family. From supporting my favourite restaurants in a time of uncertainty to them being closed for the foreseeable future. Not to mention the stress and anxiety around job & financial security.
Not going to lie I have had moments of panic and days that I cried more hours than I would like to admit. There has also I am so grateful for. Hearing one of my good friends is pregnant. Seeing the amount of butterflies around in Brisbane right now. The support from my online community. Michael - What I would do… The free chocolate croissants from my local french patisserie. The smile from a stranger out a car window. Being able to still get my coffee delivery.
Creativity as a coping mechanism
Something the last few weeks has brought up for me is that I find it a lot harder to distinguish what is work and what is life when I am forced to be home on the weekends. For many of you this may be the same now that your home is now becoming your work place. When I am stressed or anxious, doing & creating has always been what I do. That is one of the reasons I started lettering in the first place. So the first couple of weekends I would just work through the weekend to keep my hands and mind occupied.
In saying that I don’t want to burn out or be working 24/7 so I have spent this week coming up with a couple of creative activities I can do that are a) nothing I can turn into a monetary project b) I have no expectation in place for. I want to try a couple of things, not so that I make use out of my time or up-skill but just to cope.
PS. You don’t need to become your ‘best self’ during a crisis.
This is one of the reasons I have taken a step back from consuming social media at the moment. There is a saturation of messaging about how to make the most out of this time. For many of us, myself included - this isn’t a staycation or an at home wellness retreat. For me, I am trying to do the best work I possibly can for the clients that still have the budget to continue our contracts. At the heart I know that these articles and posts mean well and encourage positive activities but can we just fucking chill out on the at home work out routines and urgency to start new businesses or completely turn our own businesses on their heads to ‘adapt’.
Need some entertainment?
Shows. If you haven’t already, I would get onto Ozark first up. If it is feeling a little heavy to watch and you need something wholesome and lovely - Terrace House. If you haven’t watched any start with Terrace House Boys & Girls in the City or Aloha State (Netflix). I did mention this last month and I will mention it again - Couples Therapy on SBS on Demand in Aus. Can’t recommend it enough for those who love to be nosey.
Youtube. Vanity Fair does Actor on Actor series where actors interview actors. Watch the ones of the actors you enjoy! I also found the MOMA Youtube Channel this month. They have a Playlist called In Studio and their series about painting like William De Kooning were particularly interesting.
Books. I am about half way through Grown Ups by Marian Keyes. I like it so far, it has a tonne of characters but once you’re about a quarter way through you understand who is who. Other books I would recommend are: Expectations by Anna Hope, Tweak by Nic Sheff & then Beautiful Boy by his father David Sheff, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid or Eggshell Skull by Bri Lee.
Monthly favourites…
Watching… Ozark Season 3
Listening to… Dying for Sex Podcast & Where Should We Begin Podcast
Skincare product… Clinique Pore Refining Charcoal Mask
Makeup Product…Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Bronzed Bell
Colour Combo… Green & Pink