A cartoon
As homo economicus1 we are asked to balance (ha!) sacrifice so much of what is good and makes life worth living, for the machine - the economic mothership who shall not be thwarted, nor deprived of GDP growth.
What if we said jump in the lake !?
A thought
Today’s cartoons were inspired by a conversation I had a few months back with
about the pressure we all seem to feel to do something with our lives to do important work in the world. I think we are all struggling to feel enough to be enough. I suspect it is another insidious by-product of capitalism and a consumer society where our value and perfection is just another purchase away.I told Amanda I was finding some peace in discovering indigenous ways of thinking where humans are integral parts of ecosystems, not productive units. She replied:
One of my friends is deep-diving into feminine embodiment and how pleasure is at the centre of a happy life, and not just sexual pleasure, but in all things - enjoying the food you eat, feeling good in the clothes you wear, making time for fun and play and things that bring you joy and fill your soul, enjoying a sunset, soaking in a bath, meditation - whatever lifts your spirits and makes you feel good. Maybe we could be "pleasure units" - imagine a world where everyone is happier. I think that would be a kinder and nicer world. I also love the idea of being part of an ecosystem - the idea that the responsibility is not all on me, but I'm happy to do my part!
Exactly - I could not have said it better!
You can connect with Amanda - for a happiness boost on Instagram or via her website.
Tiny action
Muse, what would be different in your life if you centered being a Pleasure Unit over a Productive Unit?
What is one tiny thing you could do today to deliberately bring a little more peace or joy to yourself?
If your immediate reaction is, “Yikes, that’s selfish” I get it - that programming runs in me to. I now know - if I am happy and peaceful then all my interactions with the world are much more likely to be in the same energy, which like a stone plonked in a pond is much kinder and more helpful than radiating frustrated, self-sacrificing martyrdom. Consider this your permission slip to think about making yourself happier today!
Glimmers and sparks*
My glimmers for today are:
An op-shop crawl with my youngest across 3 suburbs, I found two super books and got to hang with her for the afternoon before she heads back to school next week.
Peanut Butter Bombs - chocolate balls filled with peanut butter; need I say more?
Enjoying Blown Away - the glass-blowing TV series.
Li’l bean is your reminder to pause and ask: What are your glimmers for today?
From your friend and your small, steadfast companion,
*Drawing Li’l Bean helped me navigate out of a period of depression in 2023. A good friend 13, 595km away, helped, too, through a ritual of swapping daily glimmers via text.
A glimmer is a tiny spark of hope, enthusiasm or joy that lifts your heart. By helping me find three glimmers each day, she gently helped me see the joy and beauty already around me.
I’d like to share this practice with you and invite you to reflect on your glimmers for the day when you read this. Think of Li’l Bean as a reminder to notice the glimmers and sparks in your life. We’d love it if you would like to share your glimmers in the comments.
I’ve just started Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth - Oh my! What a book!
Love the way you articulated this and for making slowing down and putting ourselves first the norm versus the exception. It seems that a little pleasure goes a long way! My glimmers are waking up in southern france to a beautiful view and being grateful that my husband and I made the choice to have a month in France even after a 4 year renovation that isn't finished and even though I "only" work parttime (oh and have a small business in the wellbeing area) At first I thought travelling for one month would be indulgent and then I thought, nope this is our life, this is why we work, what are we waiting for? Life is to be lived now. So we booked our trip and had two friends offer their amazing accommodation which made it much more affordable - thank you universe - and here we are! I better get back to my pleasure filled view!
Love these newsletters - so glad you started these!
You are so right Gillian, our/my conditioning was always to be productive . There is so much to unpack there, especially on economics , us being units of productivity. I have the Donut book , but never read it , so let me know what you think.
No longer working, my drive became saving the world 😂 such hubris…Now I focus on pleasure , writing, sewing, lying down watching the clouds , food and films etc etc. My glimmer today is a walk along the river and the sun is actually shining ☀️ may it on your day.