Clearly I have not been updating this blog as regularly as I used to. I don’t want to hold myself to the standard of weekly updates if I don’t feel like I have much to say, but I also could come back at any moment writing ravenously. I guess that’s the beauty of having my own space – I can do what I want with it and hope it sparks some interest!
With that in mind, I want to share updates on where I have been, what I am working on, and who I feel like I am at 40.
My Health
My last post was about stopping immunoglobulin treatment for my CVID. So far, there’s not too much to say about that change. I knew I wouldn’t feel better – I was just hoping things wouldn’t get worse. And so far, they are pretty much the same. I still have Chronic Fatigue that flares up and down throughout the day and then comes to inexplicable peaks that knock me on my ass for a day or two. But I don’t have to deal with the added burden of treatment side effects. So I’m just hoping the winter virus season doesn’t do a number on me and I can continue to live with my “new normal,” which is shitty and invisible and inexplicable and annoying. But I’m doing my best to adapt.
My Work
I continue to be blessed with work I can mostly do from bed. Philly Tweens has really been taking off and allowing me the opportunity to connect with communities on a whole new level. I proved that following and connecting with folks we admire on social media can lead to meaningful work, as I scored dream gigs freelancing for Scary Mommy and Hello Bello. And I still do traditional public relations for a couple of clients including a long term client in the nonprofit space that is always supportive of my health limitations.
Still a Mean Green Mama?
Well, I try. But I’ll be honest – as children get older it is much harder to keep a handle on this stuff. I won’t put them in a bubble, and I have tried to instill in them the knowledge to make better choices. But they usually don’t. They choose the jolly ranchers and the skittles and the chips abundantly available at school, camp, aftercare, parties, festivals, friends’ homes, and sometimes even on the go with us when we give in and let them get Slurpees. That said, we still shop mostly organic groceries and safer cleaning and personal care products. We “shop” hand-me-downs and recycle even though we know it’s probably all getting burned in an incinerator. I am not nearly as proactive as I once was, forgoing bread-baking and seed-sowing as my health and other needs trump my desire to “homestead.” I’m admittedly frustrated by the state of the country and the way it can make everyday actions feel futile. But I have not given up and still try to make better choices and empower others to do the same.
What About Activism?
Is the author of The Budget Activist crawling up her own ass? No, not entirely. I still get fired up and use the tools and platform I have to try to make meaningful change and amplify important messages. I still make calls and write letters and connect with elected officials. I also know that the most important election of our lifetimes is coming up in November 2020, and when it’s time for the iron to strike I will be using every ounce of energy to write, call, text, and door knock to get out the vote. And I have the opportunity to share what I know about activism tools when I lead a panel this October at my favorite conference, Shiftcon. And I’ll be interviewing some amazing changemakers who have done phenomenal grassroots work in all sorts of activism arenas.
So, yes, I am alive and well! Or “If wellness is this what in hell’s name is sickness.” (Amanda Palmer) – or, you know, something less grim. For real, though, I’m good. I’m evolving. I’m breathing. I went to London and Paris on a whirlwind 5-day trip and didn’t die! I have made an insane amount of pottery for literally no one. I have connections with wonderful people and love in all sorts of ways. Looking forward to the next chapter…