I learned many good things this year. I learned more about how not only is my history as a queer women erased but also how anyone who does not fit the male, white, heterosexual, cis, and christian structure is erased. I learned through books: most notably Hope in the Dark, participating in actions against the patriarchy, and my friends. I learned more about how to live a sustainable life though permaculture and how to fight by watching the Native Americans at standing rock. I learned that educating my friends and helping the fight at standing rock in any way I could was important. I learned that connecting to nature, witchcraft, reading, art and more can heal me more than any other drug or therapy. I also learned that sometimes you need drugs and therapy to get to a spot where the other things can heal you. I got diagnosed with ADHD the inattentive type and started taking medication that helps me focus and function better than I have in a very long time. I learned that there is not shame in needing to take medications even if I have to take it for my whole life. I started my first garden and compost heap. I learned that self-care and me time is necessary. I decolonized myself from the patriarchal, racist and sexist ideas I was raised with. I learned that I still have a lot of decolonization to do in myself. I collected more plants. I passed my classes. I am more comfortable in who I am as a person, including my sexuality, how it turns out I'm not Christian and Solstice is a million times better than Christmas at addressing my personal spirituality (that being said christianity is lovely for some people). I found that friends and family are willing to help me in my darkest times and won't hate me if I can't get out of bed on some days. I got an awesome job at Utah Public radio and now get to bring attention to things I think don't get enough attention as well as learn about things I wouldn't be able to learn about otherwise. I learned that one of the best stress relievers is cuddling a cat. I have dated the most lovely, beautiful, talented and kind woman and don't know what i did without her for so long. I am truly lucky to have such a wonderful intimate relationship.
The dark things are long when it comes to 2016. I became more woke. I didn't realize when I entered 2016 that I could become even more of a pessimist. I learned that white men are so fragile and violent that they would rather vote for a celebrity who is fascist, racist, sexist, rapist, homophobic and transphobic with no political experience than a women who is brilliant, has had more experience than any other politician I am aware of and doesn't actively rape people. I also learned that we don't live in a democracy when some white kkk in Wyoming's vote counts three times as much as mine in the city. I learned that having 2 million votes more than the other candidate no longer matters because the system was set up to prevent minorities from having a say. I learned that I live in an oligarchy and could be targeted next year. I thought we had made progress but I'm not sure we actually have when it comes to accepting others. I learned that power is more important than people to the rich. I watched my celebrity hero's drop like dominoes; Alan Rickman, Debbie Reynolds, Kerry Fischer, David Bowie, Prince and more. I also was severely depressed throughout this entire year and had a hard time completing much. I failed a test because my memory is having a hard time because of the depression.
What needs to happen in 2017? REVOLUTION!!!! We need to remind people of the common humanity between people of different races, sexualities, genders, religions, economic backgrounds and more. We HAVE to become more sustainable this year if we are not going to be killed through climate change. We need to prevent nuclear bombs from being available and from causing illness, death, and again more climate change. We need to transition away from oil and invest in sustainable utilities. We need to rely less on harmful and abusive systems such as the way we eat, and get recourses. We need to find ways to leave behind capitalism and take care of everyone. We need to end the idea that working is our worth. This is ableist and unhealthy. We need to let go of hierarchy's and allow individuals to live in ways that they see fit. We need to allow technology to replace harmful jobs without requiring those who had the jobs to find a different one. We need hope and we need to fight for a place that is equal for all including people of different races, genders, sexualities, abilities, backgrounds as well as animals and the earth.
The revolution starts at home. This year I am going to make self-care and sustainability a priority. Here are some of the ways I am hoping to start the revolution this year:
Ways to be more sustainable:
- Compost Pile
- Use extra water from cooking/washing veggies for plants (no salt)
- Cloth napkins
- Use residual heat?
- Go vegan?
- Dumpster dive/only buy what I’ll eat
- Ride the bus
- Shorten showers
- Line dry
- Buy everything used
- Clean out car (uses less fuel)
- Clean with natural cleaners http://greatist.com/health/27-chemical-free-products-diy-spring-cleaning
- Pamper with cheaper natural products http://greatist.com/health/food-hacks-skin-and-hair i.e.Shampoo 1 tsp baking soda to 1 cup water
- Grow plants inside
- Use freezer to store extra herbs
- Plastic baggies or other containers reuse and try to find other effective ways of reusing material
- Try to wash more dishes by hand
- Try to buy local and with as little garbage as possible
Artistic goals:
- Pass Levels
- Finish CD
- Start making radical songs for a new cd
- Create self-care songs
- Write more poetry
- Create an art collective
- Learn how to make more things that I need
- Make gifts for others
- Start selling art at the farmers market
Spirituality
- Explore witchcraft
- Become healthier, kinder and a more badass individual
- Create radical art and ideas
- Engage in more actions
