Things to do

when the world is a dumpsterfire

January 27, 2025

Hello You,

Back in November, I opened up a chat for everyone where I wrote a few pop-up poems while we discussed the word HOPE and what it means. One of the poems I wrote that night was based on my love of the BBC television show, Gardener’s World. The show, hosted by the kind-hearted and ever-knowledgeable Monty Don is a true comfort watch for me, especially this time of year. It’s the best kind of balm for a weary soul, featuring tours of gardens — sumptuously grand to enchantingly small — including everything from vast botanical gardens to community allotments to personal balcony gardens cluttered with potted plants. The presenters engage in conversations with everyone from grandmothers, school children, and artists, to horticulturists, and master gardeners. If you’ve never seen it before, I highly recommend it.

The last segment of the show is usually: “Jobs For The Weekend,” and it consists of Monty Don cheerfully kicking things off by saying, “And here are a few things you can do.” After that, he proceeds to wander around the vast estate garden he looks after with his sweet golden retriever Ned as he sees to a handful of seasonal chores meant to help the garden thrive. In summer, deadheading flowers might then lead to removing the lower leaves from tomato plants, which might then lead to turning the compost pile, which might then lead to sewing a new round of seeds for fall greens. The chores change according to the season, but as Monty reminds us, there are always jobs that can be done, large and small, even in the cold grey days of winter. Now is the time to dream of spring, dear kittens, and plan for the garden of our dreams.

Radical Optimism

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And here are some things YOU can do.

I don’t know about you, but when the world is a frightening, chaotic mess, my anxiety goes from zero to 100 in a flash. Strangely enough, the faster my anxiety ramps up, the more frozen with fear I become, unable to do much of anything until I can break free of it. One thing that truly helps me in times like these, is to take a page from dear Monty and look for the things that I can do right now, in the present, that will foster a more hospitable environment for a better world. With that in mind, I’ve started a list of Things to do…when the world is a dumpsterfire. It’s a work-in-progress to be sure, but it seems to be helping so far. I’ll share it below, and I would LOVE it if you would add any gems that you can think of in the comments!

Tulips in January

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Things to do…when the world is a dumpsterfire

(in no particular order)

— Reduce your scrolling time to ten minutes a day. (set a timer and be ruthless!)

— Actively seek out trusted news sources rather than letting the news “find” you.

— Eat well

— Get the best sleep you can

— Get outside

— Take a walk

— Notice nature (count birds, talk to a tree, watch the clouds etc.)

— Lend a hand to someone who needs it. (It can be as simple as letting a mom with a fussy kid go ahead of you in line at the grocery store.)

— Visit with someone in person

— Make something with your hands

— Share something with others (a meal, a compliment, flowers, cookies, a smile, a few tears, a hearty laugh)

— Post links to resources and helpful organizations on the regular

— Thank someone for something small that makes the world a better place

— Think about what you deeply care about and how you want the world to be, then join with others who are doing the work — support them, volunteer, make plans together.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

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The Awe Report

Still life with clementines

This was my “make something with your hands” from a few days ago, just a ten minute drawing and watercolor session to break my mind free of anxiety. It truly helped.

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Closing thoughts

What do you to get through the darkest of times? Please add any helpful to-dos you can think of in the comments and we’ll keep this list going to see us through the winter and beyond.

Wishing you magic on your way, wherever you’re headed.

Until next time, take care, dear hearts, and I’ll leave you with a bit of Monty Don to get you through the week.