28 Comments

really encouraged by that last point about just doing something. so much of my anxiety comes from inaction, and the brain juice I get from doing stuff is unmatched!

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getting in our own way, as per usual

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I saw a quote once that said “curiosity is a path, judgement is a wall” and that always stuck with me (to add to your point on curiosity)

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Exactly that! Thank you for sharing :)

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Love this one, Katie!

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Thank you :)

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I love this and will do my best to encorporate my version of all of it into my life so I, too, can stop being at ”ugh” on the optimist-pessimist scale. However, I CANNOT bring myself to believe in a higher power. I just roll my eyes at the thought of all those things, from God to ”the universe” and it would feel like brainwashing myself (in a bad way, much of positive brainwashing needed too!) to erase that about myself. Any tips on how to tackle that?

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Hm, maybe ask yourself where that’s coming from? Why are you so quick to dismiss it? If you can get to the root cause of your distaste, then it might be easier to cure?

Also, in the same vein as nothing matters so nothing matters - we have no proof that god isn’t real but we also have no proof that it is. So why not try to believe?

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As noted metaphysicist and philosopher Lana Del Rey says, the universe exists because we are aware of it. Our perception is our reality--we can never know for sure that anything exists beyond our subjective awareness. This sent me down a rabbit hole of despair when I minored in philosophy. Now it's freeing to me because if that's true, then altering my perception is the only way to create changes in my outer world.

I've been on a journey of positivity over the past year because my dad's cancer came back as stage four. it made me depressed and anxious for months until I realized that my negative feelings about it, they weren't going to change the situation, and they weren't enabling me to show up for him as the beacon of hope and strength that he needs me to be. His illness will kill him. It also has to change me. My ego has to die. I have to let it all change me, let it burn away everything I do not need anymore. There is no coming to consciousness without pain. I'm still really sad that this happened to him. I'm angry tbh at a health system that I believe has failed him. But I have so much gratitude that I even had him for 31 years. That he can access treatments to prolong his life. And by being open to joy in other areas of my life, I can comfort him better, I can be strong for him like he needs. Despair is rarely productive, even if it's correct.

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This is really beautiful, thank you for sharing this. I'm sorry that you and your family are going through that situation, but you are so wise for having such a grateful, positive outlook. <3

I always forget Lana is the Gandhi of our generation...

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thanks for writing this :)

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Thanks for reading it :)

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I literally love you, thanks for this end of the year kick up the butt!

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I love you back!! Report back if any of it works

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love this so much 🩷

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❤️ you

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you’ve done it again miss <3

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<3 u most

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This 👏

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So glad you liked!

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Great and thoughtful plan, Katie! I'm also a fan of the community piece. We need community to lean on and for connections, but I also think having a sense of purpose that improves the world or our communities, even in some small way, does a lot for our outlook--both because we feel useful, but also because we keep perspective on our privileged position in the world. I mean, it's not the reason to participate, but it's great perk! Works for me at least :)

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Thank you for finishing the thought I didn’t have the words for! 🤍

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Ily and I love you footnoting free will

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LOL ily more

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this rocks! I feel so seen.

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🤍

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Love this

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Thank you! I’m so glad :)

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