The thing about feelings is they're insane. Emotions feel both like way too much (What are you so sad about, everything is fine?) and not nearly enough (do you not see, you tiny fool with the big shoes, the world is ending??) — SO TRUE
1) Lotta goofs here but I am genuinely curious, how is all of this going for you?
Between the politics and the economy and my husband having a v. bad cancer, not so well. I haven't written anything substantive in months, though I have been presenting in public which is its own thing.
2) Do you know?
Know what? Some things. Not all things. Only that it isn't good.
3) What am I missing here?
I think you've hit a lot of it very square and acerbically on the head.
4)
Same.
5) Would you buy “The Artist’s Whey” in bulk to support me getting it off the ground?
That's the first thing that made me chuckle in a long time, Alex. Thank you for that.
6) Anything else - floor and the walls and the ceilings and the door are all yours.
What more can be said? I would like to, though, take this time to implore the various foundation executives who I am sure are reading this post and comments to please start dumping needed funding into the nonprofit and public sector. And to fund, as Vu Le puts it, Left Wing War to combat what's been going on on the Right for decades.
7) I can tell this is good for me bc I have more energy now than when I started. How do you know you’re on the right track with these feelings and thoughts?
Getting started is the hardest part. Trying is better than not trying. Working for the good is better than despair. Energy expended will help more than just hiding.
Julie, this really helped me today—I keep reading it and am trying to use it to motivate me: “Getting started is the hardest part. Trying is better than not trying. Working for the good is better than despair. Energy expended will help more than just hiding.” Thank you for that.
This is the greatest thing I've read online since idk when. It was a highlight of my day. I'm not kidding. I shared it with friends I talked with today. IDK how many. Thank you!
Just what I needed to read. It's not just me. And you articulated it in a way that I would have if I could have, but I don't have enough of a sense of a humor about it. Thanks for the uplift on an afternoon I really need it.
Great piece, which felt more peaceful than usual. I totally feel that IDK is probably the wisest place to try to be in right now. Doesn't preclude doing something, but precludes expectations about whether or not that something will make a difference...to anyone else or even to my peace of mind.
This is an absolute whirlwind of brilliance, chaos, and existential humor, and I am here for it. The way you capture the simultaneous urgency and absurdity of modern life is both hilarious and deeply, deeply relatable. Your writing vibrates with the energy of someone trying to process everything all at once, which is exactly what it feels like to be a thinking person in 2025.
If embracing idk is a communal act, how do we create more spaces where people feel safe admitting uncertainty, especially in a culture that rewards certainty (even when it’s totally unfounded)?
I love that you feel all the feels and aren’t afraid to admit that you don’t know because, honestly, no one knows. We are all doing what we can to get through this messy middle … some more meaningfully than others, most not contributing much to the world order between birth and death and the end of all times. Anywho, thank you for nourishing us with The Artist’s Whey … I’m sure you’ll make millions (especially if you add some shiitakes to it — I hear we are entering the age of the mushroom!).
I am embarrassed to say that I would 100% buy a protein powder called The Artist’s Whey. Currently coping by trying to learn as much as possible and coming up with far too many community activities and events and feeling overwhelmed by them 👍
You have accurately captured how I have been feeling about..all this.. as well. I have to force myself to look away from yet another 'BREAKING NEWS' post because what? There's more?? I tell myself things can always be worse, but also, is it not getting worse? OH GOD!
This is a wonderful example of an inner monologue not being kept inside- my favourite quote:
“What about how, for some people, I am “They”? What if history shows that I was the problem and They (my They, not their They) were the solution?”
Can’t tell you why because…. (Gesture at everything) of all this, but I makes me feel good - like I’m not the only one questioning everything even when there is nothing you can do to find the answer other than try to forget about the problem.
The thing about feelings is they're insane. Emotions feel both like way too much (What are you so sad about, everything is fine?) and not nearly enough (do you not see, you tiny fool with the big shoes, the world is ending??) — SO TRUE
My fave quote from this too! And if you have both/no/I don’t know emotions, then you’re simply not educated enough.
1) Lotta goofs here but I am genuinely curious, how is all of this going for you?
Between the politics and the economy and my husband having a v. bad cancer, not so well. I haven't written anything substantive in months, though I have been presenting in public which is its own thing.
2) Do you know?
Know what? Some things. Not all things. Only that it isn't good.
3) What am I missing here?
I think you've hit a lot of it very square and acerbically on the head.
4)
Same.
5) Would you buy “The Artist’s Whey” in bulk to support me getting it off the ground?
That's the first thing that made me chuckle in a long time, Alex. Thank you for that.
6) Anything else - floor and the walls and the ceilings and the door are all yours.
What more can be said? I would like to, though, take this time to implore the various foundation executives who I am sure are reading this post and comments to please start dumping needed funding into the nonprofit and public sector. And to fund, as Vu Le puts it, Left Wing War to combat what's been going on on the Right for decades.
7) I can tell this is good for me bc I have more energy now than when I started. How do you know you’re on the right track with these feelings and thoughts?
Getting started is the hardest part. Trying is better than not trying. Working for the good is better than despair. Energy expended will help more than just hiding.
Julie, this really helped me today—I keep reading it and am trying to use it to motivate me: “Getting started is the hardest part. Trying is better than not trying. Working for the good is better than despair. Energy expended will help more than just hiding.” Thank you for that.
Oh Thank you!!! I appreciate you letting me know it was helpful to you. Sometimes I tell myself those words when I"m really messed up about it all. :)
THE ARTIST’S WHEY IS A BANGER LMK IF YOU’RE OPEN TO FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES
And shitfuckery is the best word yet that describes all this weird and troubling stuff
This is the greatest thing I've read online since idk when. It was a highlight of my day. I'm not kidding. I shared it with friends I talked with today. IDK how many. Thank you!
Just what I needed to read. It's not just me. And you articulated it in a way that I would have if I could have, but I don't have enough of a sense of a humor about it. Thanks for the uplift on an afternoon I really need it.
Great piece, which felt more peaceful than usual. I totally feel that IDK is probably the wisest place to try to be in right now. Doesn't preclude doing something, but precludes expectations about whether or not that something will make a difference...to anyone else or even to my peace of mind.
Whenever I read your writing, I’m always glad I did. Keep going!
It’s not nothing! It’s a horror show!
(If you mean current events and our government.)
Maybe it isn’t the end of the world… but it feels like it. How to stay calm and yet do something!!
You've done a lovely job of combining hysteria with hysterical.
Much appreciated.
This is an absolute whirlwind of brilliance, chaos, and existential humor, and I am here for it. The way you capture the simultaneous urgency and absurdity of modern life is both hilarious and deeply, deeply relatable. Your writing vibrates with the energy of someone trying to process everything all at once, which is exactly what it feels like to be a thinking person in 2025.
If embracing idk is a communal act, how do we create more spaces where people feel safe admitting uncertainty, especially in a culture that rewards certainty (even when it’s totally unfounded)?
I love that you feel all the feels and aren’t afraid to admit that you don’t know because, honestly, no one knows. We are all doing what we can to get through this messy middle … some more meaningfully than others, most not contributing much to the world order between birth and death and the end of all times. Anywho, thank you for nourishing us with The Artist’s Whey … I’m sure you’ll make millions (especially if you add some shiitakes to it — I hear we are entering the age of the mushroom!).
I am embarrassed to say that I would 100% buy a protein powder called The Artist’s Whey. Currently coping by trying to learn as much as possible and coming up with far too many community activities and events and feeling overwhelmed by them 👍
You have accurately captured how I have been feeling about..all this.. as well. I have to force myself to look away from yet another 'BREAKING NEWS' post because what? There's more?? I tell myself things can always be worse, but also, is it not getting worse? OH GOD!
This is a wonderful example of an inner monologue not being kept inside- my favourite quote:
“What about how, for some people, I am “They”? What if history shows that I was the problem and They (my They, not their They) were the solution?”
Can’t tell you why because…. (Gesture at everything) of all this, but I makes me feel good - like I’m not the only one questioning everything even when there is nothing you can do to find the answer other than try to forget about the problem.
4)