How do you find rest/joy these days?

[Ro S]

Oh, boy are these "unprecedented" times testing me these days. With everything happening in the world, in my community, and with the folks I love, it almost feels impossible to find rest. I find myself scrolling endlessly on social media sometimes and have been finding it hard to feel connected to myself, partly because I've probably not had enough rest, but also because everything feels so heavy.

So! In light of everything being so heavy and all of us holding too much at once, I wanted to pose the question of how folx are finding rest and joy these days. Maybe this can also be a thread to inspire each other to find more rest and joy <3 Lately, I've been spending more time outside at the park reading and playing games with my partner. I also tend to self-isolate when I feel stressed so I've been making an effort to reach out to friends more frequently to spend time together. That's made my world feel less chaotic and more connected and made me feel a whole load more hopeful.

How are you finding rest and joy in your everyday?

[Heather]

I'm so glad you posted this topic, Ro, it's so important! Thank you. <3

I also try and get outside as much as possible when I want to up both rest and joy. I bring my dogs when I can, because they make everything more hilarious. One of my besties and I also made a pledge to go to the beach here every Saturday this summer, for at least an hour or so, and so far that's been a really nice ritual. Tending to my tiny patio garden is also a great source of renewal and a great, easy meditation for me. Sniffing tomato leaves, in particular -- I love that smell! -- just does a whole thing all by itself.

Playing music is one of my favorite thing to do, so I always try and do more of that for both rest and joy. Even better is when I can find a friend or two who also play to play with.

I also cook for my friends to meet these needs, which tends to do an extra thing of providing care and something delicious when, like you said, everything is so heavy for all of us all of the time these days. Offering to mend things for friends that are important to them is another: it gives me something meditative and quiet to do and it gives them something that mattered to them that was broken or breaking or wearing out all renewed and cared for.

[char]

Hi Ro! Thanks for bringing up this topic, because it feels like the world is aflame no matter where you are. Sending so much love to everyone here--you are not alone!

These days, I've been watching some movies to give my mind a little rest. Some of the movies I watched are rather bleak in tone, but somehow it feels cathartic to see my frustrations be portrayed on screen, you know? I've also been enjoying recharging myself with walks around the neighborhood. I'm fortunate to be able to live somewhere spacious enough that there's some walking space, though I'm looking forward to being able to travel around the capital again some day.