This was originally published as part of my newsletter, Gonzo Notes. You can subscribe for free!
Many days recently, the main thing that’s keeping me sane is the ability to go outside and touch grass. I bought an ebike about a year ago, and going to sit in the park with a book or riding one of our greenbelt trails keeps me breathing.
Dan and Jordan, the guys who run the Knowledge Fight podcast, have spent hundreds of episodes now documenting the depths of Alex Jones’ depravity. But more recently, they’ve started discussing their “bright spots” at the start of every episode. Some days it’s as small as a new video game or a new snackfood. But I appreciate their example of making sure we make time for joy.
Asking you to hold onto joy is hardly revolutionary, but it’s still what I’m going to tell you to do. Go for a bike ride. Join a book club. Look into an animal’s “weird little eyes,” to quote Robert Evans. Sit under a tree and listen to music with a friend.
Getting involved in some kind of organizing and activism can also be a source of joy, or even more grounding right now, a way to find a sense of purpose. When the world feels overwhelming, you might need to find something small, specific and concrete that you can actually do something about.
Right now, that’s my dual prescription for survival in the early months of 2025:
- Find something small, real, and meaningful you can do in the world and then do it. Even better: do it with friends.
- Look for moments of joy, large or small, and hold onto them as hard as you can.
Read this: Banner Drops, Stencils & Wheatpastes
“Banner Drops, Stencils & Wheatpastes” is a zine by a group called ACTIVATE Grand Rapids. It’s a wonderful introduction to the art of street propaganda. The great thing about all of these forms of action, from banner drops to wheatpasting to stickering, is that they only require a very small group of friends.
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