The Horrors Persist but So Do I

 When they opened the salt & vinegar crisps packet, they were surprised to find me in there — cause I’ve been locked in. (Clock it.) I’m a plant mum! Three succulents and one fake plant (she’s thriving, thank you). I would insert an out-of-pocket anecdote here but I’m trying not to get cancelled on this here internet… still holding out hope that I’ll blow up and never have to set an alarm again. insert Shrek looking up meme. Yes, chat, I want it the easy way. Absolutely. Anyway — I’m getting into a new skill (UI/UX babyyy), and good lord. Let me laugh so I don’t cry. Someone needs to stand over me with a cane like a Victorian schoolteacher, because if left to my own devices...sigh They say procrastination is the thief of time? No ma’am. Procrastination is the saver of time. And also my bestie. Catch me back in the crisps packet.

 I hate to say it—but maybe the key is having something to look forward to. Something small, maybe even silly. An activity, y’know? A plan. A moment on the calendar that isn’t just “wake up, survive, sleep, repeat.” And not to toot my own horn too much, but I had two things happening this weekend. Three, technically—I just couldn’t make the third (social battery said: no ma’am). But the two I did make it to? Low-energy, chill, exactly my speed. No pressure to perform or be “on.” Just… existing around people who make me feel good. I forget how healing that can be. Being around friends who don't need you to be anything more than present. Who laugh with you. Sit in silence with you. Share fries with you. Healing, I’m telling you. So now it’s Monday morning and guess what? I’m pumped full of endorphins. Not in an overly caffeinated, take-on-the-world way. Just this soft, steady hum in my chest that says: you're okay. You're cared for. You had a good weekend. You know what...