Back in my day, we made each other mix CDs. My best friend Jess made me one when we went off to college, and I made a stack of unsent ones for the girl I was in love with (and didn’t realize that that’s the feeling I was having! Ahh, adolescence.)
But these days, I find myself turning to books, collecting books to read my way out of a feeling, or into a mood, or through a situation. I play the same song on loop, over and over and over again. I listen to a podcast on my commute to work to feel a little less alone in the world, that my feelings are valid and other people are feeling them too.
And right now, I really want some books, music and podcasts for smashing the patriarchy. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t even know that I could be this angry, or this tired, and still be moving. And sometimes I’m not. A friend texted me that she rage-napped the other day. I rage-bought more houseplants (it’s becoming a problem. Maybe that’s another post.) But I’ve also been throwing myself headfirst into media that makes me feel less alone in the world.
There is value in togetherness. There is value in community. There is value in validation of your emotions.
So here it is. A Mixtape for Smashing the Patriarchy. A few podcasts. A few books. A little bit of music. Things that are keeping me going, and I hope keep you going.