Hi friend,

I was really hoping to have a more light-hearted email for you but I saw something the other day that's been gnawing at me, so I wanted to share my thoughts.

I saw a post the other day saying that complaining about 2020 has "become a sport" and people are "wallowing in imagined misery." (I won't link to it here because this isn't about giving that person attention.)

This is a completely bullshit and toxic take. I know that a lot of us do the "others have it worse" comparison under normal circumstances but I want you to read the next sentence carefully: 

Every single one of us is suffering from grief and trauma from living through a pandemic, regardless of the loss you personally suffered.

Even if you didn't lose your job or your health or a loved one. Even if you are single without kids. Even if you've had more good days than bad ones.

We are all feeling a collective grief that we aren't used to.

And if you haven't acknowledged that, take this as your permission to do so. We've been going through the stages of grief and they're not linear.

However you are coping, however you are processing, don't ever let anyone diminish your feelings. This is not imagined. This is grief. This is trauma. Give your feelings permission to move through you. 

I shared this in my last newsletter but I want to share it again. The CDC has an entire page dedicated to the grief and loss and resources to deal with them. It is extensive and a great place to start.

I also shared this on Instagram as a caption with a handy graphic with a few of the resources for sharing if that's your thing.

I don't know what you're going through right now but I know it's not easy. And if you ever want to reach out just to talk, you know where to find me.

Wishing you all the best,

B.