The Alphabet of Alchemy
Beyond doom scrolling and into the practices of Sustainability and Collaborative Well BE-ing.
Just an idea.
First, Mesa, Amy, Susan, and all, thank you for your fierce hearts and care.
and the LETTERS FROM LOVE COLLABORATIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE CREW including: and Pepita Boop a Snout and Our Mascot
A suggestion:
This morning before dawn I was inspired by Mesa and Co. to share alternatives to doom scrolling. Here we goooooooooo…..
Maybe shift the language a bit. For example, lift up vulnerable populations in practical and empowering ways.
a) support LGBTQIA+ writers and artists with monetary support and encouraging language.
b) support the ACLU
c) shift the focus from the news to practices in your local communities
d) stay informed but boycott the bs. Don't buy the hype or feed the fear. Easier said than done I understand.
e) Make care packages for the unhoused. Many unhoused folks are queer folks.
f) stay informed but nourish yourself first. We are many layered beings and it's essential as dark chocolate and Netflix and Apple TV to practice filling yourself up.
g) Find a in body or somatic practice like: dance in the kitchen or anywhere, Yoga with Adrienne (there's even chair yoga for the differently mobile), YouTube has some good Qigong stuff (I really like this practitioner:
)
h) A Music practice. Our bodies themselves are musical instruments! Thank your body for your mobility and every sinew and muscle and tendon and sensory ability. Music is alchemy. Music is movement and even helps me move emotions and stuck stuff through like trauma drama. :)
i) Use your voice: Sing outlaid. Read poetry outloud. Sometimes I even sing and dance while pumping gas into my Puddlejumper. Joy is a contagion! Joy is a practice.~Jon Batiste
j) Write. Write. Write. Letters from Love is soul food.
k) Make Art instead of hours scrolling. Invest in art supplies and let that inner critic just chill. I have pastels, paint pens, watercolors, sketch pencils, a sketchbook, and blank artist postcards. Send your postcards to friends and family or take photos of them and share here. Invite others to join you in your practices either virtually or in analog time. You can even get many art supplies at dollar stores.
l) Learn a new language. Duolingo is fun and free!
m) Puzzle your being with jigsaw puzzles, Jenga, word find, crossword puzzles, dot to dot, sudoku....nourish the grey matter too.
n) Historically, doom seems to have always existed and way before mobile phones. Embrace this and find the absurd in it all. This never ceases to amuse me and shift me into a greater sense of well being.
o) Popcorn and Poetry daily.
p) Sensory breaks. Do things that feel good in your tummy and body. Find what works for you. if turning down the lights and moving slower in the morning works, do that. The world can be really loud sometimes so do what brings you some peace.
q) Equilibrium. Watch the caffeine. I switched to chai. I purchase Ceylon bags. I have a little cutting board I bought from Aldi. In my chai center I have: cinnamon ground and sticks, ground cloves, cardamom,black pepper, and ginger powder. I also prefer raw honey. You do you. I put the spices in the bottom of a chunky mug and then pour the hot water over. I did invest in a beautiful electric kettle from Target. (Bodum 27oz Melior Goose Neck Electric Water Kettle Matte Black: Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with Ergonomic Handle, 1000W) Bodum.com. Asian cultures have long had tea ceremonies and practices. So have the Persians. Chai is Farsi for tea. There's something to it and thousands of years later, we are still here.) Again, if java is your thing, I totally understand. For me, I don't get the jitters from tea like I do from coffee. All things in moderation including moderation as Dr. Maya says.
(Photo Credit: Robin Wall Kimmermer)
(Credit: Robin Wall Kimmerer)
r) Plants. Plants. Plants. for those without a green thumb, maybe a silk plant or a hardy live plant like a Spider plant or a Snake plant that simultaneously cleans the air. If you have pets or little ones, make sure they are not toxic. I sing and talk to my plants. I plant seedlings and watch them germinate. I even discovered I can use my lamp I purchased when I lived in a dark winter climate and now use it as a grow light. (circadianoptics.com) Botany is life! Read
(Credit: Robin Wall Kimmermer) (author of Braiding Sweetgrass and The Serviceberry)
Support the Indie Booksellers. We have been nourishing ourselves and communities for eons.
(Credit: Robin Wall Kimmerer)
Begin and Nourish a Free Little Library in your neighborhood or urban dwelling or Yurt.
and support your local Library Staff and Book Meccas! Cloud Library and Hoopla apps provide free and mobile books, periodicals, films and beyond.
today for FREE:
Braiding Sweetgrass Register here for Free Webinar Today Friday 2/20/2025
(photo credit:
)BOTANY 101 She sits on a silver metal stool. Her mind eager to learn and curious enough to explore the science of plants. Here’s a haiku: Butterfly bush sing Roots rumble through onyx soil Spring tremors bloom Violet early
It is specifically designed for seasonal sadness. Make plants and dirt a practice. Remember mud pies as a kid and sandboxes. Even Bubba has a sand box of his own. He's a three year old Chessie/Lab/Basett rescue. Remember how to play again.
s) Practice Silly. Be whimsical. Find your inner goofball. Laughter is alchemy. Fart jokes even. Be spontaneous. Invent limericks and puns and knock knock jokes. Even Brene Brown and family have a Knock Knock joke practice. It's Social Science!
t) Show your own being the tenderness you would show towards a beloved dog, cat, lizard, plant, bird.....you get the idea. Gentleness is a practice too.
u) Watch the corn syrup and sugar madness. Again. You do you. it does help me to eat real food.
v) Cheese is soul food. Hint: make sure it's real cheese though. I recently discovered that some cheese is actually a plastic derivative. How did I discover this? It doesn't melt on homemade pizza at 450 degrees Farenheit. ugh. I recommend grating your own. Asiago is a fav of mine. and fresh mozzarella on homemade pizzas. dough is easy and even premade for a fraction of coin. Also, when the cheese is real you can use less to get the desired yummmmm factor!
w) Water. Water. Water. Hydrate. I keep a water bottle in the freezer and one in the fridge.
X) Cat Naps. Breaks. Stretch. Isometric exercises. I even keep a 2-5 lb barbell in the bathroom. Laugh if you must but ergonomically....tmi...no gym membership required.
y) Lean on your supports. For me it's often nature, poetry, swimming, water, the sea, dark chocolate..and you all here.
z) Unplug an hour or two before bed. It takes time but eventually the resilient grey matter will reset itself and trust. You will feel better.
Hope this Alphabet Alchemy brings you comfort and practical tools.
and for you, dear
joon, Trees. Trees. Trees. Feel the bark under your palm. Hug a tree a day.Love,
x)
In Memory of Sweet Cookie Jane the Hound.
Constellations, thank you, I appreciate the mention and to be in such solid company too with the others you mentioned, and you of course. I’m saving this list, thank you for putting it together. I love qigong but rarely practice so I will be checking out the link. You are a kind and good soul, I’m glad to know you.💜
Constellations, I appreciate the mention and the depth of thought you’ve poured into this. You’ve gathered so many ways to step out of the cycle of doom scrolling and into something more intentional, more nourishing. Some of these practices are already part of my life, and others spark curiosity. I’ll let them marinate a bit to see what I might be able to add.