When Life Takes Over

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your patience and apologies for the radio silence last week.

Like a lot of people right now, I’ve been struggling with the state of the world, especially with the hatred it brings out in people and the fear that can leave you in.

With that in mind, I wasn’t able to put together a newsletter for last week and I apologise for that. But I’ve written today’s with a slightly different focus to usual.

Writing and being creative can be really tough when there’s other things that are going on in your life, whether that be struggling with the wider climate, or things that are more personal to you.

People often talk about creativity being a great outlet for your emotions but I’ve never thought that this was true. Maybe a little further removed from the situation, yes, it might be cathartic, but when you’re in it then it’s easier and safer to distract yourself.

So here’s the piece of advice for this newsletter: sometimes it’s fine to not be writing. Don’t force it if you’re struggling and don’t feel pressure to if you’re unable to. Take care of yourselves out there.

Here’s your exercise for this week, it’s a bunch of things that I’ve done this past couple of weeks to keep my mental health happy:

• Play Spider-Man 2 and just swing around

• Buy some Play-Doh

• Watch your favourite kid’s film

• Start collecting Pokemon cards again

• Design a scavenger hunt around your flat for your partner/friend/flatmate

• Make a silly amount of chicken wings (or your comfort food of choice)

• Cry if you need to

The newsletter will return properly next week.