Read, Shake, Appreciate #16

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 reading and writing a shit tonne of poetry bc it’s the absolute best heartbreak remedy as far as I’m concerned. And I’d love to share a bit more of mine with you since you’re my most supportive people (thank you 🥰). Here’s something I wrote this week:

I am done

with relationships that demand

proof of my goodness

performance, of all kinds

displays of my magic

late night please-treat-me-right

I will not hand over

my history or

bargain my scars

to receive care

to be seen when

seeing myself

is my birthright

I will not raise podiums

for anyone to sit above

or grant them

the right to judge

as if they know

what I've bled

to be enough

I will not

pour and pour

my soft

my ease

my hips

my teeth

until I can't hold myself upright

when wolves come to feed

I will not look

to anyone else

to say yes, rest

to say here, lay

to let joy, in

to give

permission.

I am done

letting them take

what belongs inside

I am bringing her home

this heart - she's mine.

💜

This week I’m shaking to:

Goodmood by Nabes

“She leaves me in a good mood, no matter what I’m going through!” - could be about your dog, your sis, your bestie, your new crush, yourself… it’ll put you in a good mood regardless.

Oh! A couple of you mentioned giving these song recs their own playlist and I think that’s a great idea! Here is every song recommended so far, mixed in with some booty shaking classics (I’ll add the new songs as I recommend them!):

This week I’m appreciating:

 Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! Greek and Roman Mythology Retold

It took me many years to grasp that the key to enjoying podcasts was to… Pick a topic you’re actually interested in and find a podcast that makes it fun. I’ve always wanted to learn more about Greek mythology and having the tales told by a feminist with a wicked sense of humour and a cat that occasionally purrs in the background has made this one the only podcasts I’ve ever listen to *just* for fun. And I’m very into it. This early episode is fucking great:

That’s all angels! Take good care, you are precious 💜