Welcome to Read, Shake, Appreciate! This is your fortnightly round-up of words that made me feel inspired, songs that made me shake my ass, and people who I think deserve some spotlight.
This week, I’m shaking up the “R” in “RSA” and sharing a little something that I wrote, rather than something I read. This is a poem I wrote when I was in the worst of my depression, about what I wanted life to feel like one day. I read it back recently, and realised I’m here. I’m at “one day”. And that feels pretty fucking beautiful. I wanted to share it here because you all are the most supportive of things I create. And if you’re struggling right now, I hope this can be a reminder to keep going until “one day” comes around. 💜
one day, i will wake up before nine
and my mind will be on my side
maybe we'll go out into the air
see people and say good morning
we'll know how to make real coffee
and to do lists that seem like enough
we'll smile at dogs and flowers and the sky
all of this will feel like home
maybe we'll take in the news sometimes
but we won't believe it's our fault
we'll make something small and beautiful
and hold on to each other at night
we'll see ones we love and believe them
we'll dance and sing and cry
we won't know it all and that will be fine
we'll tell ourself that everything is fine.
some days we'll know it's okay to be still
others we'll let evenings overflow
we'll daydream about unknown places
and we'll let ourself want to go
we'll believe that we always have time
that the space up here belongs to us
we'll bind together when thieves come
and stay grounded when reality quakes
we'll speak to ourself softly
and touch our skin as if it's new
we will let ourself be ugly
we'll kiss our anger and say thank you
we'll be too sure for mirrors
we'll look men right in the eye
we'll regrow all that was taken
and build castles around the roots
we’ll be vast and incomprehensible
we’ll be small and okay with that, too
one day
one day
we will learn not to abandon each other
we will stay here
we will stay.
one day
i will wake up before nine
This week I’m shaking to: Doing Great by Jasimi:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5LjM2jr6wJIttuISois1BF?si=f7cea8a68912411b
Less of a shake, more of beautiful self-love pep talk to music. The line “you broke my heart now I know myself I don’t need an apology” hits especially hard.
This week I’m appreciating: Tasha from @realtalk.therapist
Colourful content from a qualified therapist that’s the perfect combination of gentle and straight-to-the-point? Count me in. I’ve followed Tasha for a while now and I love how she brings light and humour into her teaching about trauma and self-love. A must follow.
Whew! This felt like quite a personal one to share! If you have any kind words to spare, the comment section is open 😊 (also, you can always find previous newsletters on my Substack homepage, which you can get to by clicking here) take care my loves! 💜
One day. One day. Thank you x
You are such a multi-talented human. I love when you share your heart with us. I’m so glad you were able to reach your someday. I’m feeling inspired to write my own someday poem! Sending you lots of love.