Elemental
Everybody feels like this at 23???
Do you feel constantly overwhelmed too?
22 was a whirlwind, and 23 sadly isn’t shaping up to be any different! I guess that’s just life? Somebody let me know!!!
We celebrated our birthday (my Mum and I were born on the same day! …different years, obvs) with family in Portugal, it was spectacular and also hard to take in. I really miss swimming every day, I think water is the closest I ever feel to being pain free.
‘Language is always inadequate in the face of pain’ - John Green
Maybe that is why I am struggling to talk about the pain I have been in this month. Here’s a John Green video instead. I also recommend his video ‘on pain’ if you or someone you know are dealing with mental/chronic illness. Happy Pizzamas to all who celebrate!
‘The way we imagine sickness as a thing we must conquer and put behind us doesn’t really apply to chronic illness.’ - John Green
The poem I wrote in my birthday Poetry Orchard workshop…
Only a year
and yet my skin has fallen off!
easy as a plum tomato
it lies there staring up at me
wondering how the ones I expected to help me
are the ones who left me in this bloody mess
the red stains everything
in hues of anger and love with no place to go
so out in the wilderness we stumble
dragging my skin behind me,
I’d rather be vulnerable than bitter-
“Those aren’t the only options, you know,
You could be safe, loved, or roasted slow!”
This poem is definitely about tomato sauce.
Sign up here to receive Poetry Orchard updates and you too could write a poem like this! Haha, but really- writing workshops are an excellent and affordable way to make friends, be inspired, and grow your creativity! Making things keeps us grounded in ourselves, so don’t forget about it- it’s good for your mental health. Even if you have never written creatively in your life, you are welcome to join in.
September Favourites
☀️ Good News: I met some disabled people on a train and we chatted the whole journey. I also received such thoughtful gifts and messages for my birthday from my dear friends, I feel very loved!
📚 Book: Finding Your Element by Ken Robinson
If you’re wondering what you should do next, wanting to find your passion, or would like to get to know yourself better, this book is filled with humour and helpful guidance! If you have never heard of Sir Ken before, I urge you to check out his revolutionary work!!
📺 TV: Sex Education
Absolutely wonderful, authentic, and diverse representation of disabled and queer characters! I am so sad this show is over, but so glad it exists!
🍿 Movie: Pixar’s Elemental
Funny, charming, stunning animation, think zootopia meets turning red meets avatar the last airbender?!
🍜 Food: I ate the best food of my entire life this September!! Portugal reallllly knows how to do fish, which is my favourite food. I tried so much new food: ceviche, butterfish nigiri, sesame seared tuna steak, monkfish and king prawn kebab, mushroom risotto and roast duck in plum sauce (WHAT a combo!) and visited my gorgeous cousins who own a Thai restaurant! I also learnt how to make ratatouille, pixar style, and it was yummy.
🖋️ Journal Prompt: What are you choosing to become?
🎶 Music: Quarter Life Crisis by Taylor Bickett