Align Your Orbit: Remix
We’ve been craving more space and time between transitions, and as such, we’ve incorporated the experiments from last month into new offerings for introspection. Veils, by nature, are always thin, so remind yourself you’re still a ghost. Revisit old haunts and habits as you traverse the change in seasons. Don’t let yourself be backed into a corner. Stand in your power.
Want to experience this as a Spotify playlist?
Experiments for November
1. Now Entering: Villain Era – At least according to the Online Etymology Dictionary and Wikipedia, the word villain literally just used to mean villager or those bound to the soil. Believe in the power of being one of many, and have the audacity to have a good time while doing it. You’re done with toxic positivity—government policy owes you some favors.
Challenge Mode: You can’t take the rap for all of humanity. But, when you try to save the world on account of it, vote and get local support from the people most affected. You don’t need to do this alone.
2. Wider Thresholds – Plan for time between activities. Give yourself space. Stay cozy under blankets a little longer. Drop the colonial consumer mindset that everything must happen on time.
Challenge Mode: Composure during crisis varies dramatically between people. Assess when your discomfort causes an outburst or an otherwise intense reaction. How much discomfort are you willing to accept, and why? What are the risks?
3. Machines Need Oil – Choose a song, and move your body every time you hear it this month. Take really long walks. Have a bath or go to a steam room. Lubricate.
Challenge Mode: We constantly seek to have everything we need. Sometimes to overabundance. For at least one day this month, go without. Withhold from yourself in healthy, reasonable amounts. Want to start easy? Eat vegan or vegetarian for 1-3 days.
4. Imminent Future – Climate change is happening on a deadline. We have less than a decade to mobilize and transform the fundamental nature of society. This global body must find new energy sources, and everyone contributes in crisis. Raise the alarm; we’re leaving no one behind.
Challenge Mode: Organize in your community. Keep an ear to the ground about what tasks need doing. Educate yourself. Read All We Can Save. Determine what those around you care about. Feel into the web of connection and let everyone hold a piece of the solution.
Please tell us how these experiments are working for you!
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Andra’s Recap of October’s Experiments
The theme for last month was Re-up and included experiments to reestablish boundaries, agreements, and strategies; create a habit fallback plan; engage your whole body at once; and discover your new positive obsession.
While I took stock of all the boundaries I am upholding, life also provided many opportunities to reassess. Family, friends, lovers, collaborators, and I all negotiated our needs with maturity and grace. It was something to behold, even if occasionally terrifying.
And then there are boundaries that have stayed the same—situations I’m no longer willing to put myself in. Those boundaries are holding strong.
I am still working on my habit fallback plan. It’s one of the reasons Ash and I felt inspired to spend another month deepening what we were working on in the previous recipes. I have, however, made progress. I have images of a 12-pose yoga routine that I could theoretically do every day that would stretch most major muscle groups. Or, rather, I have about eight of the poses drawn. And I still need to implement them in my routine. I’m also dying to get back to my bike generator.
Hey, that’s also engaging my whole body! And I did more dancing this month.
I’m still very hard at work getting the 1920s sample card up and running. I learned how to break a chain and failed to put it back together. It’s humbling and satisfying, and I remain determined. My current roadblock is getting a rusty part to move. It requires a vise and a heat gun I don’t have. I’m looking into tool libraries and such. I’m hoping to have the machine in production by the end of the year, but it’s going to be close.
On that note, the yarn mill is going very well. Despite some hurdles determining what to register it as (business? school? co-op? nonprofit?), we remain dedicated to the process in a way that is fun and holistic. The other yarn groupies went to Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival while I visited Mexico and brought back both goodies and connections!
I hope you enjoy this month’s experiments!