I’ve been running on steam.
We’ve all been running on steam.
And now? Steam? I hardly know her.
I’m keeping this short. I debated posting at all, but in an alley-oop fashion, I felt compelled to to stress the importance of rest. No matter who you are, you’ve worked hard this year. Whether you have been on the front lines of this pandemic, sweated at the thought of leaving your home, protested on behalf Black Lives Matter, ran the polls, or just stayed alive, a lot has been asked of you. Now, more is going to be asked of us: stay away from family during the holidays, buckle down for more restrictions, deal with the annual onslaught of seasonal affective disorder, etc.
It’s all bad.
This is your reminder to rest. This doesn’t mean letting your guard down, ignoring pandemic protocols, and not paying attention to social justice causes. Rest is just as important as the fight. So, do something that is soothing. Because we’re still talking about music on ye olde TOS, please take a moment to find and enjoy the music that actually settles you. Making playlists are work for my brain that’s preset on overthinking, but if creating one with all the songs that pacify you, do it. For me, Copeland and City and Colour make me slow down.
Maybe you’re like me and have a hard time grasping at the whole “rest” thing. I find that donating money is one of the easiest ways to do something when you feel physically and mentally are burned out. Everyone is tight right now, so if you can, give.
Here are a list of places worth giving your money to:
Backline
Supporting Backline will help bring mental health services to those in the music industry
DONATE HERE
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Donations to the Philadelphia’s chapter of the largest grassroots advocacy group for those with mental illness helps further support and education
DONATE HERE
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Help fight suicide!
DONATE HERE
Philadelphia Area Musicians Relief Fund
Donations aid local musicians out of work, economically devastated by the pandemic
DONATE HERE
World Cafe Live
Please help save this local, small venue from going under due to the pandemic.
DONATE HERE
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU uses funds to regularly fight for civil rights and has recently been advocates against Britney Spears’ conservatorship situation
DONATE HERE
Scattergood Foundation
The Foundation “believes major disruption is needed to build a stronger, more effective, compassionate, and inclusive society where behavioral health is central” and provides grants for others to do so
DONATE HERE
Maybe I’ll be back in two weeks. Or maybe I’ll finally figure out what resting is.
shealyn.
the only sound 