The Overwhelm Cure

via Substack comments

A cartoon

Figure 1: The vortex of individual despair, courtesy of late-stage capitalism and an individualistic social norm.

A thought

I drew this one a few weeks ago on a day when it all seemed a lot. Overwhelm turns up on the regular like an old friend with his mate worry. I didn’t share it, cause well, it’s a lot and hardly uplifting!

That changed last week after a chat with Leonie on Substack. In a conversation about the state of the world and how to make it better she said:

“We're all trying to solve all of the global issues. Would it work if we all took care of our smaller circle, and the world was a network of overlapping Venn diagrams?”

So, see below, Figure 2: The network solution to a better world with lots more fun (piss-off capitalism and individualism).

I’ve sacrificed so much at the altar of capitalism - it is time to get off! Thanks Leonie, for the idea for the perfect retort to Figure 1.

What are the positive things you are doing or can do in your small circle that will form part of the future world we want to see?

Figure 2: The network solution to a better world with lots more fun (piss-off capitalism and individualism).

Glimmers and sparks*

My glimmers for today are:

• A fresh crusty loaf of bread from the local bakery.

• Discovering Beyoncé via my son (yes, OK, I have been living under a rock). I like her latest album - fun tunes for driving kids to school.

• My daughter finding the https://www.antipodesmap.com/. Have you ever wondered where you would end up if you tunnelled directly through the earth from your place? For some reason, in Australia, we say “Digging to China” - as in - the dog is digging a big hole again, “Stop digging to China!” we yell. Turns out she is actually digging to a random spot in the North Atlantic, possibly within swimming distance of some tiny islands of Portugal. So now, we are going to have to yell “Stop digging to Portugal!” Where do you end up?

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.