In western Oregon, there’s often a surprisingly sunny week sometime in February, a little taste of sunshine before the rain settles in for a few more months. My friends and I always called it the “secret week,” and it seems to be happening right now. Yesterday, I was out and about enjoying the clear skies and I ran into an acquaintance who, when I asked how she was, replied “Good. I mean, you know, given everything.” [Here she gestured vaguely with her hands.] We both laughed and went along our separate way.
In addition to the secret week, this is also LIS Mental Health Week. (Thanks to all the folks who have organized chats and activities for LIS Mental Health Week, which you can see here.) I have barely written in this blog since last year’s LISMH, which is kind of because of [picture me gesturing vaguely with my hands] you know, everything.
What am I doing this week? Tonight, I’ll miss the Twitter chat because I’ll be at a union meeting. (Funny how library Twitter chat Tuesday nights became my union meeting nights, amirite?) On Wednesday, I’ll be at the bargaining table with my union, presenting proposals that would, among other things, ensure greater job stability for fixed-term faculty, and get the university moving to get in line with new state law for paid family and medical leave. I just made a copy of my whole tenure dossier, summary letters and all, that is now on its way to the muck-a-mucks who make the final determination. There’s something about the individual and the group here, but honestly I’m too tired to sort that out right now. Lately, I’ve been trying to make sure I sleep enough, and get the exercise I need. My therapist asked me to start doing a daily check-in with myself: how are you? how is your energy? do you need some time alone? It is both sad and unsurprising that it never before occurred to me to do that as a regular practice. I’m reading poetry. I’m gonna pick back up The Body Keeps the Score, which I set down months ago because it felt too heavy for a while. I’m going to bike in the sun, I’m going to enjoy the secret week while it lasts. Let’s keep taking care of ourselves, let’s keep taking care of each other.
You can also see my LIS Mental Health posts from 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.