the end of the world as we know it - i'm attempting to feel okay
Voldemort is running for president; the world's favorite centuries-old, tea-and-crumpet Empire has independently elected to self-destruct; ice caps are melting at a rate which concerns even Leo DiCaprio, a man who could easily beat us all in the survival of the fittest; global stability, economy, and society are teetering on a dangerous ledge under which "The Purge" / Great Depression 2.0 / Orwellian dystopia seemingly looms.
Uncertainty is at its height. Mockeries are being made of progress, tolerance, and equality. I actually spent all of Friday thinking about how foolish I've been to spend my whole 22 years of life ignorant of basic survival skills that I will need if everything goes to shit.
And yet, here I am, having a picnic. Isn't now the time to panic? Isn't now the time to count our pennies and make zombie apocalypse preparedness plans and figure out how to move to New Zealand, which is both one of the happiest countries on earth AND the home of Hobbits?
Or will that sort of widespread anxiety simply bring about the doomsday we're all afraid of, the way that the prophecies of tragic Shakespeare always fulfill themselves? What are we supposed to do here?
Well why are you looking at me? I don't know! But this is my idea: while it is very important to discuss and take action on recent, horrifying world events — to take our nation's rhetoric ship and steer it back in a forward-moving direction, toward a brighter, more accepting future... We also can't become paralyzed by fear and consumed by anger at situations seemingly out of our control. We must do our part and while still remembering to enjoy our lives.
The whole idea of the Fluf is based on the little, happy things that bring our lives meaning. When picking this name, my mother told me it lacked substance, but I drew inspiration from this quote:
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
So, the world seems like it could crash around us at any moment. Do we run? Do we shut our eyes and wait for the end? No. We take action. We contribute. We carry on. We stare danger in the face and laugh at it. We enjoy our lives anyway. And, in the few moments we have to spare, we create. We leave something lasting and happy and beautiful. Because if we lose that, we lose the core of humanity. Expression. Individuality. Few things are more important or more central to who we are.
I hope that the rest of you aren't having panic attacks about Brexit, or the American Political Circus, but if you are, I find it helps to take a step back. Have a picnic. Draw something. Doesn't matter if it's terrible. Enjoy the process. Create memories. Because even - especially - if this all turns into the Fall of Rome (yes, I think this drastically regularly), we might as well make the best of what we've got while we've got it.
Good night, good luck, may the odds be ever in your favor.
xo,
sarah
Stay Fierce Photos
white Reformation top, thrifted polka dot maxi skirt, Rahab's Rope cuff, thrifted fake Dooney & Burke, clogs from Ananda || Old black crop, Ralph Lauren gingham skirt, Target flats, nonfunctional-but-cute Venetian souvenir watch