Dear Riya
I’ve been subscribing to Suleika Jaouad’s Isolation Journals. Every day, you get a creative writing prompt in your inbox, open to your own interpretation and expression. Although I haven’t been following the prompts each day, it’s helped surface new ideas and feelings and makes me want to write. Today, I’m sharing the prompt from Day 14: “In the voice of someone who loves you.”
Write a love note to yourself. Start with the line: Dear [your name], If you could see what I see, you’d see that you are...
Dear Riya,
If you could see what I see, you would see that you are a force of nature. You are grounded in your values and relentless in your pursuit of what’s fair. Your definition of what’s fair is constantly evolving, as you grow and learn more about yourself and the world around you.
You are reactive and adapt to your environment. I can see you struggling to find balance between being self-less and losing yourself entirely. I don’t want you to lose yourself completely.
It’s okay to get lost in someone else’s story and feel what they feel. I’m glad to see you stand up for what you believe is right, regardless of the consequences. I love that you can’t hide your expressions to save your life. Every emotion is translated on your face, and it reads like a map to those who are paying attention. I love that you try to build community everywhere you go, and that you genuinely love people.
I know you’re more guarded these days, but I hope you don’t close yourself off and become jaded. Stick to your convictions and remember that you are a force of nature - one that’s still uncovering her purpose.
With love,
Riya
I’m Mad as Hell
I took this photo the day before we started social distancing. On my last day in the office, I remember thinking that this was temporary. I remember finding comfort in the thought of seeing my colleagues in April. I remember thinking that things would go back to normal soon. It’s April now, and I don’t have those expectations anymore.
Every day, my resolve wears thinner. I find another ramification of this global pandemic. I get angrier. I get more frustrated. Throughout all of it, I keep coming back to the same conclusion: it’s not fair.
I know the conclusion seems simple and naive in reference to a pandemic, but I don’t know how else to put it. As schools closed, many people realized that 22 million students rely on schools for reliable access to meals. As students moved to online learning, we started questioning access to internet and computers for everyone to complete their work. We deemed hourly workers as essential during a crisis, but denied them a living wage. We rely on medical professionals to treat and deal with the virus, but can’t provide adequate protection. We tied insurance to employment, and now there are millions that are unemployed and uninsured during a public health crisis.
At first, I felt helpless. I was frustrated, because I felt like I couldn’t do anything to help anyone - not even myself. But here’s the truth, I can only control myself and my own actions. I can’t change systems of oppression and inequity overnight, and definitely not by myself. This doesn’t mean I’m helpless. So I did what anyone with too much time on their hands would do, I created a to do list.
Here are my calls to action:
First, stick your head out the window and yell “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”
Continue to social distance, to protect those around you and to help flatten the curve.
Advocate for a living wage to your elected officials, to support hourly workers on the front lines.
Advocate for an increase in SNAP and WIC benefits for families, so no one has to go hungry.
Donate to organizations working to support vulnerable populations, like your local foodbank, Meals on Wheels, and No Kid Hungry (shameless plug).
Look out for your pregnant friends, and see if you can help advocate for a support person to be allowed in the delivery room. No one should have to give birth alone.
Hold this administration accountable for their pandemic response, and tell them to do better.
Don’t panic buy products and leave stores empty for those who don’t have the ability to purchase in bulk.
In the meantime, I’ll also prioritize my own mental and physical health, while using this blog as a creative outlet during isolation. I hope you’ll stick with me.