negative-degree windchill

& a MN mutual aid fundraiser 🧊

I’ve spent all but a few winters in the Midwest, and still, by the time late January rolls around in all its post-holiday, post-my birthday drudgery, I’m shocked.

For most of the year, if I’m honest and facetious, I think people are low-key dramatic when they say they couldn’t live in Chicago because of its winters. It’s like, wear layers and a coat, you know? And then, the streak of negative-degree windchill swoops in and stretches out, and I think, okay, I guess I understand.

This year and last, after adjusting back from two warm years in Savannah, Georgia, I’ve worked on my relationship to winter. As someone “prone to melancholy”, as they say, on even the sunniest of days, winter has never been one to boost my mood. That said, my fortitude against the elements has been helped by looking at this season as hibernation, to be like a tree who trusts its leaves will come back or a bear taking a good, long nap.

I remember that not all bad or hard things are united on a mission to take me down. Not everything is bad because some things are bad. The country, our neighbors, need us to stay connected to the joy we know we all deserve so that we may fight for it—not just for ourselves—fiercely.

Do you live in a red state or a state with democratic senators who haven’t vowed to vote no on more DHS funding? Call and email your senators.

Interested in how the heck freelancing works and want to give money to Minnesota mutual aid while learning? I’m hosting a (virtual) freelancing 101 workshop next Tuesday, with all proceeds going to 1-2 of the mutual aid funds on this list.

Hope to see you there ❤️

Stay warm, wherever you are.

xxxx,

Elle