The Friday Five!

You doing okay?

1. WHEW is the anxiety high right now. It seems like everyone I know is up against something huge, and that’s not even counting the election. I wish I had good advice for dealing with all of this, but I’m often curled up in the fetal position myself, which is to say, not much help. I actually almost skipped this Five altogether today, because I honestly wasn’t sure I had it in me. But honestly, I needed the distraction. Maybe you do, too?

2. One of my tasks this week is to write a synopsis of my novel-in-progress. This has proven to be, well, HARD. Mostly because, for various reasons, I have not had to do it before. (I prefer to not show my books to anyone until they are finished, but, well, the times, they are a changing.) Instead of a synopsis, I start with what I call my “skeleton,” which is basically: First scene, climactic scene, last scene and first line. Plotting out the entire thing has just never worked for me, mostly because I am such a rule follower I’d feel like once I did, I’d be unable to deviate from it at all. Plus writing about the ending when I am still closer to the middle feels like opening an umbrella inside. Like I might scare my real, better ending off. (Good lord, I sound like a lunatic.) But I guess there is a first time for everything?

3. With all this uncertainty, I find myself drawn, increasingly, towards procedurals on TV. There is such a comfort in the sequence of a (pretend) crime occurring, followed by an investigation and a culprit getting caught, all in under an hour. We’ve been into The Irrational, which has a behavioral scientist element, as well as Elsbeth, which is *super* heavy on the quirk. (What is she carrying in all those bags, anyway?) And if anything gets too intense, I flip immediately over to an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt for the equivalent of a visual cleanse. *exhales*

4. Last night was Halloween, and, true to form, I really didn’t do anything. (I am consistent if nothing else!) At around 9, though, I had to drive out to pick up my daughter from this huge neighborhood where she’d gone trick or treating with friends. Now, this place does it up BIG: there are always tons of people out. Because if this, I was driving very carefully when I got there, thinking there would still be crowds out all over the place. But NO. It was like a ghost town. I didn’t see a single person! The houses were still flashing lights. Inflatable witches still, well, inflated. But otherwise it was like a post-dystopian world, save a lot of candy wrappers blowing around. It made me wonder if there was an official cut off, but apparently not: just when it’s over, it’s OVER. Until next year, at least.

5. Finally, as it’s November 1st and a big week is ahead, a reminder about self care. You probably really need it right now. Yes, YOU. I know, I know. You barely have time to breathe, much less make a cup of tea, sit down under a blanket and have a moment of zen. But one of the best lessons I’ve learned is that self care doesn’t have to require a lot. It can be as simple as just taking one deep breath. Heating up that cookie you’re about to eat so it’s all melty. Or just reaching out to someone so you can both check in on each other. Consider this me checking in on you. Hope you’re doing okay.

Have a good weekend, everyone!