First off:
There’s one new Stratus click pen and seventeen new Bebes in the shop.

Seventeen.

This batch of pens was started in September. That means that I am just now finishing work I started in September. I have the Winter Subscription Pens queued next, because deadlines – the first round is already well underway, but that’s just the first batch; there’s still a little time left to sign up for guaranteed first dibs on Silver Bells.

And off we go.

I saw a short video clip this week that opened with the theory that anyone who starts out by saying: “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…” is talking to themselves first and foremost, and searching for others who understand them second. So, with that in mind:

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…

…some no’s are going to break your heart, and some no’s will empower you. You probably won’t know which is which until after you say them, but they are both necessary to say. It’s possible for one no to be both. Still, say the no.

…those small rituals you have – the order in which you make your coffee, where you keep your shoes and keys, those kinds of things – they will be touchstones and saving grace when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. They will be reminders of normalcy when nothing seems right. Fight to keep them, protect them whenever possible. They are worth it, and they can save your life.

…they may never understand you, be interested in you, consider you, prioritize you, be what you need, or apologize. It hurts, but your time and energy are better spent making peace with that than it is spent fighting with them. The payoff is way better, too. You will eventually not care enough to mostly forget about it most of the time, but you have to start with a moment at a time of letting go.

…good sheets are worth it. So is nice soap, a good pen, decent moisturizer, and cute underwear that doesn’t relocate itself into places where it does not belong.

…if the world suddenly feels like it’s ending, you probably need to eat something, drink some water, and take a break. If you feel like there’s no point to anything, you may need to go do something that feels nice for a few minutes. It helps.

…save the funny memes and jokes and videos and go watch them when you’re feeling down or tempted to ruminate on the past. Sometimes it’s not regret or that you’ve failed, it’s that your brain needs the equivalent of a neurotransmitter oil change. Go change your brain’s oil with something funny or fascinating.

…it’s not doomscrolling if it inspires you.

…the laundry (and other things we don’t really value but guilt ourselves about for appearance’s sake) won’t escape the baskets and anyone who would judge isn’t worth your bandwidth; don’t stress so much about it. The small things that love you or that you love, on the other hand? They probably could use a snuggle.

…people who have been surrounded by supportive communities, other people who have accepted them, and friends they felt safe with may never understand how important social media is to those who found their family and support groups there. It’s okay if they don’t understand.

…you don’t have to explain. You don’t have to smile. You don’t have to justify. It is okay to say nothing and walk away.

…if you’re getting overwhelmed, just focus on the immediately next thing. I know, this is difficult, but you can do this.

I don’t know who needs to hear this… but you’ve got this.

A. Markov