I just came back to Germany after driving through rural Florida, which made me feel even more anxious thinking about the next four years. Your writing helps me lifting the heavy darkness I experience right now. Stepping away from it all from time to time is probably a good advice. Thank you, Daphne!
“I fear a return to when speaking up never did any good—about anything and in any setting. When you had to hide or come out at your peril. When you didn’t ask or tell—and would never dare challenge. Speaking up would only bring blame your way and they’d never be held accountable.” Profound, scary truth Daphne, that so many of us are feeling now. Thank you for this vulnerable share as you speak your truth within the division.
Daphne, I relate to so many of your reflections and insights here, thank you for sharing! My heart is heavy too. I'm trying so hard to reject the binary thinking that has led us to this place of extreme polarization in the first place so I love your call out to seek abundant thinking as we process this political landscape. My friend told me she is focusing on the "micro," and "relational" in the wake of DJT's re-election and that really resonated. Focusing on the small and manageable and on our closest relationships feels like something I can get my arms around for now. And we should ALL heed your advice to "stay informed but not hyper-engaged when there's no actionable measure to take." (I've found myself doomscrolling this past week and it's wreaking havoc on the nervous system.)
Thanks Amy for your feedback. I always appreciate your thoughts. Taking a "micro and relational" approach—yes to that! Going smaller helps humanize divisions enough to see a differing viewpoint and realize our shared human nature and needs. It's why storytelling is so important. And it's why turning more to fiction right now might be helpful (in addition to sanity-saving). Thank you again for the fiction recs. And I can't wait to read more of The Shrewdness! Fingers crossed for you in 2025!! Now that's a project I'm super HOPEful will come to fruition!
I just came back to Germany after driving through rural Florida, which made me feel even more anxious thinking about the next four years. Your writing helps me lifting the heavy darkness I experience right now. Stepping away from it all from time to time is probably a good advice. Thank you, Daphne!
Thank you, Susanne. Your words warm my heart. I always find a sense of ease from your Substack and all the beauty you capture and share <3
“I fear a return to when speaking up never did any good—about anything and in any setting. When you had to hide or come out at your peril. When you didn’t ask or tell—and would never dare challenge. Speaking up would only bring blame your way and they’d never be held accountable.” Profound, scary truth Daphne, that so many of us are feeling now. Thank you for this vulnerable share as you speak your truth within the division.
Thank you, Kimberly, for your support and all the stories you bring to light. <3
Daphne, I relate to so many of your reflections and insights here, thank you for sharing! My heart is heavy too. I'm trying so hard to reject the binary thinking that has led us to this place of extreme polarization in the first place so I love your call out to seek abundant thinking as we process this political landscape. My friend told me she is focusing on the "micro," and "relational" in the wake of DJT's re-election and that really resonated. Focusing on the small and manageable and on our closest relationships feels like something I can get my arms around for now. And we should ALL heed your advice to "stay informed but not hyper-engaged when there's no actionable measure to take." (I've found myself doomscrolling this past week and it's wreaking havoc on the nervous system.)
Thanks Amy for your feedback. I always appreciate your thoughts. Taking a "micro and relational" approach—yes to that! Going smaller helps humanize divisions enough to see a differing viewpoint and realize our shared human nature and needs. It's why storytelling is so important. And it's why turning more to fiction right now might be helpful (in addition to sanity-saving). Thank you again for the fiction recs. And I can't wait to read more of The Shrewdness! Fingers crossed for you in 2025!! Now that's a project I'm super HOPEful will come to fruition!