Mikey Yates (Filipino American, B. 1992) Merienda, 2020 Oil On Canvas

Salman Toor (Pakistani, b. 1983), Barbie Bakri, 2011. Oil on canvas, 46 x 50 in.

Joe Lucero, leader of Zia Pueblo fire fighting crew, United States Forest Service Photographer: Steve Lowell Date: 1957 Negative Number 111758

self care for when you hit rock bottom

i fucking hate self care posts made by neurotypicals so here’s one from someone who Actually Gets It

-can’t shower or take a bath? me either. dry shampoo can make your hair look and feel cleaner, and baby wipes or makeup wipes work great to get the top layer of grime off your skin.

-can’t wash your sheets and make your bed? i feel you. push your blankets out of the way and shake the crumbs off your sheet. it will at least be a bit more comfortable.

-can’t even change out of your dirty pajamas? been there. hit yourself with some febreeze and a lint roller. if you can, brush your hair. if you can’t, hair ties and bobby pins are fantastic.

-can’t make anything to eat? same. if you can, there’s no shame in ordering food. in fact, it’s probably better you eat something rather than go hungry. if you can’t, try and find something that comes pre-made or takes minimal effort to make. at the very least, drink some water.

can’t respond to messages or reach out for help? yeah, i get that. set an alarm for a few hours from now and respond to any messages you need to once you’ve given yourself time to prepare. if they’re Important Messages that need Professional Responses, you can find fill-in-the-blank format rough drafts on google. as far as personal messages go, don’t feel bad for sending a mass “I’m sorry, I’m in a personal emergency right now. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” response to everyone.

-can’t even sleep because it’s so bad? asmr videos always knock me out, personally, but i also watch a lot of bob ross. just try to find something quiet and soothing to use as background noise and take your mind off it, or at least give you a more peaceful environment to think about it.

-can’t go for a walk/drive? try opening the blinds or curtains. you’re still exposing yourself to the outside world. baby steps. (i also play animal crossing or sims; it may be virtual but fuck it. i went on a walk.)

-can’t go into work/school? let people know. let your coworkers or classmates know it’s an emergency and you can’t make it. give yourself up to two days, but then you have to go back. ask to have your work emailed to you so you know what you missed.

-can’t brush your teeth and wash your face? makeup or baby wipes and gum or mouthwash. don’t let yourself physically rot bc you’re rotting emotionally.

-remember that you’ve been here before. if you survived then you can survive now. that’s what this is about- survival. you don’t have to be living your Best Life. right now, it’s more than enough that you’re alive.

details @ christopher john rogers spring 2020

they’re omnipresent

The first inside dining experience I have had in over a year was at Subway last night.

reading in public transport on Darren Thompson paintings

being 25 is like: im dying. im living my best life. im a failure. my life hasnt started. everything interesting has already happened to me. im achieving my dreams. im cutting my hair with kitchen scissors. im starting a skincare routine. im a corporate professional. im a sellout. im out of groceries. i have too many groceries. i am never going to be successful. i am going to win a hugo award before im 30. im crazy. im boring. i need to finish this essay. i need to finish this story. i need to start a newsletter. i need to start tweeting more. i need to stop tweeting. i need to ghost all my friends. i need to tell my friends i love them. i need to find a new apartment. i need to take out the trash. i am the trash that needs to be taken out. 

Camas: Camassia quamash

The bulbs of this native flower are edible & valuable sweeteners shared or traded as gifts of local Oregon tribes. Tribal families took care to pass down traditional harvesting sites across generations: despite genocide and colonialization the shared traditions are still implemented today. During spring to late summer, the bulbs can be unearthed. Once harvested, the bulbs might be ground and stored in cake form. During gatherings, families bake the bulbs in earthen ovens by layering them over hot stones with branches of native shrubs, herbs, and trees, then cooking the bulbs until tender and sweet. This plant is cared for & valued by many Oregon tribes: The Kalapuyans of the Willamette Valley and the Nez Perce, who in 1805, shared their bulbs with members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, rescued the party from near starvation.

Read that again: “rescued the party from near starvation.” - despite it all, Native people treated colonizers with compassion. #respectnativepeople #unlearnAmericanHistory

-Edited content from oregonencyclopedia.org