Allcyclopedia #2

Author

Colin Gbolie
January 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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A Tension Hog

Whether you’ve asked for it or not, and I’m sure it’s likely been against your will, you’ve undoubtedly been feeling the effects of the politics over the last week especially hard. Unending coverage with increasingly negative headlines, presenting evermore contorted happenings in the “highest” offices in the land, etc... Symbolism on stages antithetic to the sentiments and gestures being made by people with far less care for others than one would like to see in a leader. It’s a lot! Admittedly, I’m no better than most who get swept up in the constant debate/argument, and I know in the not-so-back of my mind that action, building, and amassing agency is what moves the needle in any positive direction. So, I asked myself, “what am I going to do about this?” Well, short of hurling personal mandates and executive orders at the people in my life, (who wouldn’t follow them anyway 🙃) I’ll be headed to my local city council meeting tonight. Being a part of these meetings, even if attendance isn’t always constant, gives me an increased sense of connection to my community. Speaking at the community forum, commiserating/strategizing on current town initiatives, and making the group sentiment on current events known in public discourse at the local level is one of the most tangible methods of political action available to most of us with impact that reaches beyond our IG stories. It’s not convenient, and there are barriers to these things for sure. So, in planning when I’m going to go, asking myself “what can I do to reduce the friction between me and the actions I want to take” helps a bunch. Additionally, if absolutely nothing else, if you’ve never been to a city council/town hall, etc… meeting before, then you’re actively turning down a free comedy show 😂. I dare you to sit in a room where people get to air their grievances into a live mic and not laugh once. It’s connecting, cathartic, and with enough support overtime, you might just find yourself engaged in projects you’d like to see get done and even convincing your local government to make moves in correspondence with the wants/needs of the people they serve ✌🏾.

Something You’d Like Knowing About

Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org is an organization focused on “connecting readers with independent booksellers all over the world.” With a model that financially supports independent bookstores with every purchase, it’s been super fun and connecting to know that our purchases are benefitting our favorite local shops AND still getting mailed in. Give em’ a visit when you can!

Latest Articles

Low Pressure Activities

We often find ourselves in a state of stress. There’s no shortage of responsibility and yearning for goal progression these days, and recently I’ve been reflecting on how that same mindset leaching into what would have been a stress free, mind-wandery, neural cleansing and nervous regulating thing becomes trying. So, to combat this, I’ve been making collages on Pinterest. Which sounds odd, but hear me out: whatever hobby you do, if you’re actively TRYING to improve, are you ever giving your mind and body time to truly just wander? To be in the free flow of doing without expectation is a salve for the stressed mind and boon to mental health. Give something a try that’s no pressure, for you, and watch how this habit can creep in to replace time that was actually going to wheel spinning all along.

Consumption Somthin’

What’s your function?

Scrolling and shooting memes back and forth is mad time consuming but let’s not act like we don’t connect HEAVY over it. That said, the swiftness with which many of us, myself included, can fall into overconsumption is truly depressing and worthy of epidemic status. SO, I’ve been making it a point to, well, be making. Creating, putting things out there, and balancing the scales of consuming vs. posting.

Admittedly, it’s an odd balance between “you literally have your phone on you 25/7, just post stuff” and “wanting to be intentional with content so as to not just flood other’s feeds with trash.” This is hesitations best friend, and I know you’ve been here before too. Maybe not for posting, (though I think at this point we’ve all had at least one overthinking a post to death moment) but definitely regarding something you’ve wanted/want to do.

Having the courage and sense to not let the voices and urges that pull you towards self expression in any non-harmful medium is criminally underrated. My new friend Betsy Cole, the 83 year old painting powerhouse I recently had the good fortune of interviewing might just be there greatest testament to that fact I’ve ever bore witness to.

As you continue on your path. Make time to invest in those callings. And if it makes it easier, don’t even think of it as something to put effort towards. Your heart is already there. It’s a divestment in yourself to not act.

Happy Monday and send this to someone who needs to follow their heart. - CKG