Weekly Jetsam 4.30.23
topics: caretaking crisis, Beltane celebrations
April is coming to a close.
I’m writing this on a wet, gray morning in New England. It’s seemed the norm for weekends this month—but as the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers”, and that does make the weather more palatable.
My focus for the last two weeks or so has also been another cliche—spring cleaning. As the cold weather dissipates, I’ve loaded up trash bags full of winter clothes that never landed on my body. I’m unsubscribing from emails that aren’t worthy of my inbox. I’m intentionally letting go of things that no longer serve me to make room for those that do.
What are your dreams and goals for the new month?
Writing this newsletter makes me happy. If it’s ever made you happy, could you help me out and share it with a friend today?
NYT: “The Agony of Putting Your Life on Hold to Care for Your Parents”
I listened to this podcast this morning and I’m glad to see this issue being talked about. When I was taking care of my mom and searching the internet for solidarity, I got a glimpse into this caretaking crisis. The numbers are startling and I never would’ve had any idea unless I found myself in the same boat.
While being a caretaker for my mom was the most grueling, heartwrenching, and impactful role I’ve held, in retrospect, I can also appreciate my privilege. My FMLA time was paid. I have no children of my own. I live in a state that will pay caregivers (although the journey to access this is a whole other story). Yet, I still had moments where I seriously doubted I would come out the other side of the experience. I’m not quite ready yet, but I certainly see myself rallying around this cause at some point.
Here are some points from the article that caught my attention:1
The share of caregivers who are under 45 quintupled over the past two decades, to nearly 66 percent from 16 percent, as their parents — many of the 72 million baby boomers — are living longer but doing so with more chronic diseases and disability and less means than the generation before them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in early 2021 that 34.1 percent of Americans 18 and older are either caring for an adult or juggling the care of both adults and children; in another poll, 60 percent of first-time caregivers were millennials or Gen Z.
Yes, I know statistics are statistics, but there is still no doubt that this is a pressing issue.
If you have access to the New York Times (pro tip: if you don’t want to pay check out your library’s digital resources—that’s what I do), you can read the article here, or you can listen to it for free!
Connection Letter: Where we explore Beltane, its beauty and its meaning.
My second share is a Substack post that is hot off the presses. I follow
on Instagram as well and really enjoy her content. She writes about our connection to the natural world so beautifully.
This morning she wrote about Beltane and the energy and spirit of this time of year. How delicious is this line?
I want to grow who I am into the world and let it be tasted.
I’ll leave you with this final quote from her newsletter, but highly encourage you to read the whole thing. This quote deeply reflects what I desire for my new month:
It’s a time to dance with our own fertility, that which grows new beginnings, new life and medicine into our days. It is time to really feel into what we want to put our fire, our vitality and our passions behind.
You can read Brigit’s whole post here.
I love this little reminder.
Are you enjoying what you are reading? Have ideas for what you’d like to see more or less of? Want to chat? Reach out.
My journal, Lessons from Nature is now out. You can find it here.
»BELONGING (Read & Reflect #21)
Beltane blessings! I’ll be joining you in spring cleaning tomorrow & hopefully getting out for a long walk if the rain stops.