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Well, friends. It has sure been a week, hasn’t it?
Most of the women I know are feeling a certain kind of way after the news broke of the leaked Supreme Court draft majority opinion about Roe v. Wade at the start of the week. Mostly, exhausted.
Me too.
If that is you too, please know it’s okay to give yourself some grace right now, and acknowledge the toll that this week, stacked on top of the last 2+ years of stress and uncertainty and pain, has taken on so many of us. It doesn’t make you weak or dramatic or… anything, really. It just means that yes, we have been through a lot. Carrying a lot. You are human.
If it feels likes things keep piling up on top of you, like this is just the latest disappointment or frustration, I see you.
If you are scared, or you’re angry as hell, or both, I see you.
If you’re ALL of those things, well, same here.
Also, in case no one has told you this before, you are free to speak out, and to share your experience and your anger and your sadness. Speaking out about abortion or your relevant experiences or reproductive health generally or all of it isn’t (or shouldn’t be) taboo or political. It’s women’s health. It’s women’s rights. It’s part of our lives, particularly if you yourself have a uterus or identify as a woman, though I’d argue it’s important for everyone. Women’s rights are human rights, it’s that simple. And (and!) you 100% don’t have to think you’d ever feel like abortion was the right choice for you (or have ever had one yourself) or even think it’s a good thing period to also agree that all women should have the right to choose for themselves what they do or do not with their bodies; life is not black and white, and you can feel two things at the same time.
I’m not here to tell you what to believe or stand for, or even what to do about your feelings from this week. I suggest, though, that you are gentle with yourself right now, and that you let your sadness or your anger or your worry become fuel — motivation to take action. Volunteer for political candidates who support the issues most important to you (particularly who are running to be members of your state’s legislature) and help them to get out the vote. Call your Congressmen and let them hear what you need and want from your government. Donate ($1, $100, whatever) to an organization that is dedicated to protecting women’s rights. (Few good organizations to consider: this one is obvious, and this one supports women in the South and this one is an all around solid option; also, here’s a robust list of orgs by state.)
So…. take a break. Take a (few) deep breaths. And then consider what you need to do to feel stronger, and to feel seen.
We will not go silently into the night. 🖤
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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! If you’d like an unrelated distraction, might I suggest The Home Edit’s show on Netflix? I don’t know what it is about it, but I find that show so soothing. Maybe it’s their rainbow color-coordination method, who knows. xo
Thanks for reading!
Joelle