This is relatable, even

On updating, changing, and the commute

This use to be called Is this even Relatable. I think that title was a bid for attention that came from a deep desire of being known and seen by others. I wanted to be affirmed and to know I am not alone in my thoughts and experiences.

Click here to get a basic understanding of what bids for attention are here.

I think that is still important especially if you are someone who historically have self-isolated or been forced into isolation as a safety tactic. But isolation is… isolating (lol). It can cut off your access to outside information like the experiences of your peers, representation in media, and even professional opportunities (therapists) to validate and affirm your experiences.

I thankfully have created an affirmation toolkit. That includes: loving chosen family, wonderfully intimate and connected friendships, multiple therapeutic spaces, a journaling practice, and a self care toolkit that includes a lot of self validation.

So I changed the name to Commuting

Life is an endless series of journeys. It is still up in the air whether or not I believe that is a blessing or a curse—and again that is another journey (ha!). Commutes can be messy, smelly, over crowded, over stimulating, and unpleasant. They can also be a space to decompress, relax, engage in your hobbies, a place to connect with others, and they take you from location to location. And everything in between. Commutes can be shared with friends, can be on public transportation, in the privacy of your own vehicle, and led by someone else driving said vehicle.

I believe that you can see every version of humanity through the physical movement from point A to point B —and this space is precisely that for me. You will see my multiple journeys—sometimes I will double-back, get lost, the train will break down, I will be off (my) schedule, and it make take multiple modes (walking, biking, train, driving) but the center focus is less on the destination, but the continuous journey.

There is something so human in travel. The intimacy of allowing someone else navigate you to your destination like on public transportation. The power in taking the wheel and being responsible for how and when you arrive. Sharing the crammed space of a bus or a car with someone else.

I hope that this publication can be that for myself and for you. An intimate ride—cause goddess knows idgaf about being relatable anymore.

As long as I keep on moving…