I'm counting on those kids

I'm counting on those kids
Don't be fooled - she's about to take over.

I want to accomplish many things, but I also want to avoid the pressure of accomplishing many things. I know! It’s confusing! And exhausting!

So I'm concentrating on EASE. Which means, for me, slowing down, breathing deep, not spinning. Just putting three things on my daily to-do list. 

Then trying to stick to that list. 😬 Because, you know, distraction!!

And reminding myself throughout the day that I'm doing these things because I WANT to. Because they bring joy or comfort or satisfaction to my life. And just because there's a lot going on it doesn't mean I have to get in a tizzy about it.

So, yeah, I’m figuring it out, but I can’t help thinking… WHY?

Why do we have to live on a knife’s edge of anxiety and overwork? 

I often dream of living off the grid somewhere beautiful. I’m picturing green and blue - a view of water and lots and lots of plant life that does not turn brown. Somewhere peaceful, where I’m not feeling pulled in a thousand directions simultaneously. I’ll read and grow things and make art.

But… I don’t want to give up the internet entirely, for heaven’s sake! 

I guess I just want the 2015 version of the internet. From before it was all commerce all the time. Or am I misremembering?

Thinking this way makes me feel old, of course. Wishing for a “simpler time”. Which may or may not have existed. For some people. 

*sigh* 

I guess I have to face that I’m stuck in 2025 where everything is spinning faster and faster and bad vibes threaten to take over entirely. So I’ll go to my favorite unintuitive but very appealing antidote: reading dystopian fiction.

Why does it make me feel better to dream of a post-apocalyptic world? No idea. Maybe it functions like a vaccine? Get a little of it into your system and it prevents the next disaster from taking you down?

Whatever. I want to follow a band of feisty teens through a world steeped in famine and radioactivity, crawling with zombies and oligarchs, braving death to keep one another alive.

Yikes, sounds remarkably like what we’re living in now! But - where’s Luke, with his ability to bulls-eye womp rats? Or Katniss, shooting an arrow into the eye of a roast pig? Or Arya, stabbing the Night King and thus demolishing an army?

I want my teenage warriors!

And yes, we have them. They are named Greta and Malala and Emma. And they are brave and single-minded. And yet they can’t seem to take down the death star or a thoroughly evil President/King with a single shot.

Oh, right, because Luke and Katniss and Arya and their many counterparts live in fictional worlds. Which are simultaneously far worse and far more redeemable than ours.

Damn.

Well, I guess I’m okay with just getting to live in those worlds temporarily.

So - who are your favorite fictional teen warriors? I’ve read a lot of YA world-saving novels but I’m hungry for more. 

Here are some of my faves:

The Illuminae Files - a trilogy! Gotta love a series. Teens in space taking control and fixing things - my dream of dreams. 

Strange the Dreamer and the sequel, Muse of Nightmares. This is one of the most original, fascinating and well-written stories I’ve ever read. For real!

And their author, Laini Taylor, is endlessly prolific and creative. I also really liked the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy

Red Rising Saga - a little gory for my taste, but still good. I’ve just discovered that what I thought was a trilogy is in fact a six book series, so I guess I’ve got more reading to do!

Here’s to the kids who will save us and the adults who envisioned them. 🥂 Hope we can make it happen IRL.

Ok, love you, bye!

Julia


Recommendation!

Three parts escapism, one part activism. Adjust for your sensitivity to reality.

Lately I find that I've got a low tolerance for what passes as the news, even as I try to remain vigilant about what the hell is happening out there. Books and podcasts and prestige tv help assuage the constant strain of living in tumultuous times.

But then you've got to do SOMETHING. Donate, protest, volunteer, pester your elected officials. My personal feeling is that those of us who have the means owe it to the world and ourselves not to sit by and watch the worst happen.

So do a little, or a lot if you're so inclined. And then put your feet up and witness someone else doing some things. 🙂

And if you're musically inclined, may I suggest watching footage of Live Aid? Talk about a bunch of people deciding to do some good. And providing hours of entertainment to boot. Inspiring. Riveting. So much fun.


David Bowie knows all about heroes, and so does this email. Forward it to someone who needs a little hope.