Remember that line in Bridget Jones when she says if things go well in one area of your life, you can expect another area to spectacularly implode? That’s never resonated, because I personally find I’m either fully at peace or in system meltdown. Recently, it’s felt like our house is on fire and I’ve struggled to catch a breath in between the bad news bombs. Mercifully, I sense our personal storm passing - but everywhere we look at the moment, it feels like a vortex of doom is trapping you in its centrifugal force. What the f do you do to keep your head above water? Without getting too heavy, earlier this year, I started to really explore stoicism as a way to help me rationalise all sorts of things. In contrast to our era’s en vogue philosophies (i.e: manifestation), stoicism teaches that a huge amount in life is out of your control. Ergo, you’re not actually responsible for a good amount of your failure/success, health, money or reputation. Man, I’ve found that a big relief. What solace there is in SHIT HAPPENS 🤣. Things didn’t fuck up because I didn’t journal that day, or bc my energy was neggy last week. After all, I think we can agree that no amount of positive affirmations are going to affect the BoE base rate RN. All we can do is focus on fostering our own values of wisdom and generosity & make choices based on the best parts of ourselves. In depressing times, it’s hard not to feel depressed, but stoicism has reminded me to distinguish between true tragedy and life’s inevitable downward ebbs. It has schooled me to see that struggle is ‘the way’, not something to be avoided at costs. It has helped me tremendously. Anyway. Red also works. Lipstick, nails, shoes, a flipping three piece suit. A haircut and colour (shout out to @bryonycairnscolour & @sophiethomashair ), a morning off. An oat mocha and carrot cake at 3.17pm. Learning to be good to myself has taken nearly 40 years. That doesn’t mean things won’t be hard or tears won’t be shed, bc the 💩, see above. But your window to breathe is always ahead & it will probably guide you to the next step. P.S: Do not expect a self help book from me any time soon, I’ve 👻written enough of ‘em 🤣 *prproduts