Hello Reader,
I continue to be moved by active practices of community care and solidarity.
In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, musician, director and photographer Vice Cooler, wrote an article in which volunteer Justine Suzanne Jones says, “Don’t wait for some external authority to give you permission to ask another person what they need.”
We also can’t wait for external systems to give us permission for what is called “self-care.”
I don’t mean luxury items like a spa retreat, I mean the basic human needs of rest, rejuvenation, nourishment, connection.
As we offer our gifts to the collective, we must make sure we are resourced and caring for ourselves along the way.
But what if we are numb and can’t feel anything?
Nkem Ndefo, one of my teachers and founder of the Resilience Toolkit says, “That freeze isn’t apathy—it’s overwhelm, [...] It’s not a sign of failure. It's a signal that we need care, compassion, and space to recalibrate before we can act again.”
Our bodies are not meant to hold everything without support. Your body-mind is worthy of ongoing care.
Between us, we have invaluable skillsets—a lush potluck of decadence, creativity and nourishment.
Sometimes that looks like a sea of hundreds of bodies that as a collective do what would be impossible as a single person—-shut down a Los Angeles freeway in a mass protest against inhumane deportation orders.
Sometimes that’s reaching out to a loved one to share music to stir their soul, or to share a warm meal.
Let’s show grace at our ever-shifting capacities and shamelessly share our skillsets.
Reflection
What do you need today? Can you meet that need, or ask someone for help? What about someone in your circle, or beyond—what do they need? Look out for the ones that never ask for much and tend to be the caretakers, the strong and silent types.
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
For the Randolph MFA Community: “Somatic Sometimes for Writers: Nervous Systems for People Who Create With Words,” a virtual workshop on Sunday March 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. PT. If you are part of Randolph MFA and need the registration link, reply here.
I've been seeking sacred refuge in music and dance. Here's a new mixtape I made.
Community & Care
Great shorter podcast episode on building your go bag.
In the above podcast, I learned about YK Hong: Liberatory strategy + Tech justice.
Trans Justice Funding has rad grants open right now to grassroots groups of two or more people: https://www.transjusticefundingproject.org/apply/
ACLU Know Your Rights resources and multilingual We Have Rights videos.
Tips from a therapist on taking care of yourself amid devastating fires: https://lapublicpress.org/2025/01/selfcare-therapist-fire-recovery/
LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: https://www.cciarts.org/relief.html
Grantmakers in the Arts LA Fires Relief: https://reader.giarts.org/read/la-fires-relief-resource-hub
Soft Pants for Your Mind
A poem, "Morning After The Election" by Regie Cabico I found hope in.
The living legend Willie Perdomo reads Georgia Douglas Johnson's "I Want To Die While You Love Me."
Open Mike Eagle "Wtf is Self Care" song.
Notes & Citations
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/altadena-california-wildfires-volunteers
A helpful "Feelings and Needs Inventory".
https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/1234802567/inauguration-day-mental-health-tips/
https://www.themuse.com/advice/self-care-at-work
Poet and Angeleno, Yesika Salgado shares on what was lost in the fires, and what will never be lost: https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2025-01-23/pacific-palisades-fire-grief-housekeepers-family
https://apnews.com/article/immigration-ice-protests-los-angeles-california-dallas-ecf1afef642ffff40117f88641c8605f
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-04/students-join-los-angeles-immigration-protests-vandalism-arrest
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
