Lights in hard times

So 2025 is starting out on an, erm, interesting note.

Heartbreaking, with wildfires, plane crashes, and other tragedies. Highly stressful, if you’re in the US and in favor of things like keeping the US Treasury payments system secure, providing any international aid, or funding health research. (Sidebar: you can look up your representatives here, and giving them a call takes about 90 seconds. Scripts here.)

Well f*ck | Barely functioning | Tremendous job

Most of my articles are variations on cards for difficult people, or cards for difficult relationships.

That’s not what this post is for.

This one’s for encouraging our dearest friends, in these difficult times.

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Here is a long list of cards that are beautiful, heartfelt, funny, vulnerable, and delightful. Connection and community will get us through this. I’m not saying the world will be magically improved if you send some mail. But your heart will be warmed, and so will theirs, which brings just a little strength to carry on.

You are my light | In all of time and space | Sending you love

If you cannot send a card you love because of budget or bandwidth, send the link to the card—these independent artists deserve all the attention we can give them.

• In all of time and space and humanity we met each other. How is that anything but a miracle?

• Thanks for being a light in hard times.

• You are my light.

• Thinking of you. (handmade paper with ferns)

• Miss your face.

• You are not alone.

• I’m here for you.

• Thanks for always listening.

• Sending you love & light.

• Sending you light when things feel dark.

Focusing on light & goodness is great and all, but sometimes I feel better when I admit just how awful things feel.

Socks | Spiral | Freak out

• It’s okay to freak out. You go first.

• We are barely hanging on and I for one think we are doing a tremendous job

• Barely functioning but can do luncheoning

• Well f*ck

• All my socks have holes in them

• Peace on earth, for f*ck’s sake

• Love eating my feelings with you

• Everything sucks now—except you, you’re good.

• Thanks for having my back through the shit show

• See you later in the spiral!

• You alone restore my faith in the radiant dumpster-fire that is humanity

You’ll both feel better if you take a moment to acknowledge how much they mean to you. Even a text is a good thing, and every good thing is precious in hard times.

Do something loving for yourself, too. Read some Millay. Do art. Breathe in crisp winter air.

“Stand at the brink of the abyss of despair, and when you can bear it no longer, draw back and have a cup of tea.” — Sophrony of Essex

Action is good. (It takes about 90 seconds to look up your representatives & another 90 seconds to call them.) But make time for tea.