It's been a rough couple weeks. I still wake up each morning wondering how this could've happened. A rerun that wasn't good the first time. I'm deeply disappointed, especially in white women and all voters who decided to stay home. But here we are. Onward. Thanks for the piece. I relate to every word.
Thanks for commenting, Nancy. I hear you. It's beyond me. So I'm going hang with my people, make new wonderful friends, remember that I've survived lots of scary obstacles in my life, and not give them too much energy. I have things to do. I refuse to make myself crazy for the next 4 years. I'm focusing on good self care and cultivating some faith in the parts of humanity that are wonderful. Ignore the bullies. They hate that. xo
O Nan. Thanks for another share from your heart and helping us not feel alone. I’m beyond heartbroken and so tired. Too many sleepless nights these last few months. Another writer on Substack Austin Channing Brown’s post just gave me focus and guidance. We must not give up hope and we must keep in the fight. It’s ok to rest and grieve. She wrote to Black women, White Women and to our daughters. Peace as we stay in the fight together.
Thanks for letting me know about her post. I'll check it out. We need to stay calm, get clear about the next right things to do, and not lose touch with the love that lives inside of us. Sending you a big hug! xo
Sending love from Australia. Even though I don’t live there, my stomach is tied in anxious knots that I think will take some time to untangle. It seems incomprehensible, but yet, here we are. You are right - it is a virus. A highly contagious one I guess. The petty part of me wants to say - well, you made your bed, now lie in it! But of course millions didn’t make that bed and should not have to lie in it. 💔
I hear you. I definitely didn't make that bed...and yet, I understand that impulse to say that. It's a mess for sure. I think I woke up feeling a little more fearful this morning than I felt yesterday. But I will banish the fear. I'm going to stay angry for a while, and then I'll continue on. I've got work to do, as do many of us who didn't opt in on this outrage. One day at a time.
Thank you Nan for this. I listened to it before reading it, as I find your voice both strong and soothing, and your words were a balm to my weary and sad spirit today. I am glad you gave voice to your anger, we need to give voice to all of it, everything we feel, especially today.
Thank you, Amy. It's 6:15 in New York and the cost of the emotions over the last few days is making itself known to me. I'm exhausted, and I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep without the anxiety of the outcome hanging over me. I hope you take very good care of yourself. Pamper, love, and feed yourself some chocolate (or whatever your particular comfort food is). We'll be okay. I want believe that with my whole heart. Right now, I'd say I'm at about 75%! xo
You're not alone in that feeling of exhaustion. I awoke with a sore throat as if the sadness stuck in my throat had taken physical form, the ache of the unheard voice. I'm pampering myself with all my favorite teas and lots of honey and light comic fiction to distract me. As I told my daughters when they were small and had had a bad day, "Tomorrow will be a better day." We've got to keep believing in a better day--even on days when it seems impossible to envision that.
I think it will be a better day. Best foot forward, one step at a time. I'm truly looking forward to bedtime! Books and puppy cuddles. Doesn't get much better than that...well it might be better if there were ice cream, but I'm all out!
Thank you, Fran. I love that song. I'm humming it in my head right now. Yes. We can. Everything goes in cycles. Sometimes things need to be completely burned down so what comes next can rise out of the ashes. I'm really trying to be as positive as I can. Fear has no place in my life anymore. I operated from fear for so long. It's not helpful at all. xoxo
Yes. Indeed. It doesn't say anything about my sense of self. But, look at how women are regarded in our culture. We are despised, considered objects, and ultimately I do think men find women frightening. We weren't allowed to buy houses or have credit cards. We are so powerful but have never had our worth validated by men. Not as a group. We are raped, belittled, paid less than men, we are pushed to present ourselves as objects of desire, living sex toys, and we are targets for men's rage. Oppressed? You betcha. I refuse to pay attention to that. Sometimes I sit in my 12 step meeting and hear the other women talk about god...and when they gender god as "He" or "Him" I want to scream and tear my hear out. I want to lecture them, I want to wake them up. But it's not easy. I've asked a couple of women why they do it, and they basically say it's habit. I find that so curious and strange.
Thank you for this Nan. I am feeling so duped today. Like how could I have been so wrong?! I put all my faith in the goodness and fairness of the American people. So disappointed.
Yes, me too. I really don't think that the people who voted him in have any understanding of what they've unleashed. Except for the very wealthy. They know exactly what they've done. It's disgusting.
Here in the UK, my 22-year old son is home at the moment and the first thing I did this morning was give him a big hug, as I knew he was as worried as I was last night about what we'd wake up to. Reaching out to other people, continuing to write, to read, to connect, is all we can do. Thanks, Nan. Sending love x
Thank you, Wendy. I agree. We just keep living, writing, sharing ourselves. Definitely not a time to hide. Returning your love with mine. Say hi to your son for me. xo
Thank you for this Lovey. I read it in my car at the fields and the pent up tears unlocked. I'm glad you're ready to keep fighting. Thank you for your words, your courage, and for YOU.
You are very welcome. I had to say something. Sitting down and writing was the most positive thing I could do today. I really wish we were together yesterday. xo
Good morning, Nan! I would tell you my heart is heavy today, but you already know that. I’m writing to say thank you for being you. I woke up and read this and looked over at Mini Cooper on the pillow next to me, and Mini looked at me with so much love. And I read this, amazing woman, and I am grateful for you. So I did the right thing and became a paid subscriber to Nan Tepper. Sending you so much love.💕🫶🥰🙏
Thank you, my darling new friend. We are heartbroken. I can't stop thinking of Kamala. I'm going to ignore the newspapers, the articles, the pundits, maybe forever.
Oh, Nan. I think of the story you wrote, and my story, and the many stories that we - all of us who live in female bodies - have not yet told, maybe because of the way we’ve been brutalized and shamed and traumatized, and now I see the truth I kept denying because that’s what you do to keep living in this world. I just want to say thank you. You are a shining light and a force for good in this world. I have to get up now and get ready to get my flu shot and yes, my Covid vaccine because who knows if a time will come when I won’t be able to get them. Big hugs. We’ll talk later.🫶💕❤️
Hi. I got a flu shot yesterday. I'm waiting on Covid for a couple of weeks, at my FNP's advice. I usually have a reaction to the vaccine, so I don't want to put them to close together. Let's talk soon. Men are so afraid of us, that's what all the oppression is motivated by.
Hi Nan,
It's been a rough couple weeks. I still wake up each morning wondering how this could've happened. A rerun that wasn't good the first time. I'm deeply disappointed, especially in white women and all voters who decided to stay home. But here we are. Onward. Thanks for the piece. I relate to every word.
Thanks for commenting, Nancy. I hear you. It's beyond me. So I'm going hang with my people, make new wonderful friends, remember that I've survived lots of scary obstacles in my life, and not give them too much energy. I have things to do. I refuse to make myself crazy for the next 4 years. I'm focusing on good self care and cultivating some faith in the parts of humanity that are wonderful. Ignore the bullies. They hate that. xo
O Nan. Thanks for another share from your heart and helping us not feel alone. I’m beyond heartbroken and so tired. Too many sleepless nights these last few months. Another writer on Substack Austin Channing Brown’s post just gave me focus and guidance. We must not give up hope and we must keep in the fight. It’s ok to rest and grieve. She wrote to Black women, White Women and to our daughters. Peace as we stay in the fight together.
Thanks for letting me know about her post. I'll check it out. We need to stay calm, get clear about the next right things to do, and not lose touch with the love that lives inside of us. Sending you a big hug! xo
Sending love from Australia. Even though I don’t live there, my stomach is tied in anxious knots that I think will take some time to untangle. It seems incomprehensible, but yet, here we are. You are right - it is a virus. A highly contagious one I guess. The petty part of me wants to say - well, you made your bed, now lie in it! But of course millions didn’t make that bed and should not have to lie in it. 💔
I hear you. I definitely didn't make that bed...and yet, I understand that impulse to say that. It's a mess for sure. I think I woke up feeling a little more fearful this morning than I felt yesterday. But I will banish the fear. I'm going to stay angry for a while, and then I'll continue on. I've got work to do, as do many of us who didn't opt in on this outrage. One day at a time.
Thank you Nan for this. I listened to it before reading it, as I find your voice both strong and soothing, and your words were a balm to my weary and sad spirit today. I am glad you gave voice to your anger, we need to give voice to all of it, everything we feel, especially today.
Thank you, Amy. It's 6:15 in New York and the cost of the emotions over the last few days is making itself known to me. I'm exhausted, and I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep without the anxiety of the outcome hanging over me. I hope you take very good care of yourself. Pamper, love, and feed yourself some chocolate (or whatever your particular comfort food is). We'll be okay. I want believe that with my whole heart. Right now, I'd say I'm at about 75%! xo
You're not alone in that feeling of exhaustion. I awoke with a sore throat as if the sadness stuck in my throat had taken physical form, the ache of the unheard voice. I'm pampering myself with all my favorite teas and lots of honey and light comic fiction to distract me. As I told my daughters when they were small and had had a bad day, "Tomorrow will be a better day." We've got to keep believing in a better day--even on days when it seems impossible to envision that.
I think it will be a better day. Best foot forward, one step at a time. I'm truly looking forward to bedtime! Books and puppy cuddles. Doesn't get much better than that...well it might be better if there were ice cream, but I'm all out!
In the words of the old song, "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again." But can we? Will we? Will the destruction be too great?
Nan, this was a masterful recap of the emotions so many of us struggle with today. Thank you.
Thank you, Fran. I love that song. I'm humming it in my head right now. Yes. We can. Everything goes in cycles. Sometimes things need to be completely burned down so what comes next can rise out of the ashes. I'm really trying to be as positive as I can. Fear has no place in my life anymore. I operated from fear for so long. It's not helpful at all. xoxo
I think nothing will turn out the way we think it will, or might. It never does. All we can do is stay tuned.
Exactly, and do good self-care at all times. xo
To me, the really really big question is how could all the women who voted for them, vote as they did. What does it say about our sense of self?
Yes. Indeed. It doesn't say anything about my sense of self. But, look at how women are regarded in our culture. We are despised, considered objects, and ultimately I do think men find women frightening. We weren't allowed to buy houses or have credit cards. We are so powerful but have never had our worth validated by men. Not as a group. We are raped, belittled, paid less than men, we are pushed to present ourselves as objects of desire, living sex toys, and we are targets for men's rage. Oppressed? You betcha. I refuse to pay attention to that. Sometimes I sit in my 12 step meeting and hear the other women talk about god...and when they gender god as "He" or "Him" I want to scream and tear my hear out. I want to lecture them, I want to wake them up. But it's not easy. I've asked a couple of women why they do it, and they basically say it's habit. I find that so curious and strange.
Right there with you on all this.
Thanks, Priscilla. I'm dumbfounded in this moment, but I'll never be speechless.
So grateful
All the best to you, Sarah. xo
Thank you for this Nan. I am feeling so duped today. Like how could I have been so wrong?! I put all my faith in the goodness and fairness of the American people. So disappointed.
Yes, me too. I really don't think that the people who voted him in have any understanding of what they've unleashed. Except for the very wealthy. They know exactly what they've done. It's disgusting.
Here in the UK, my 22-year old son is home at the moment and the first thing I did this morning was give him a big hug, as I knew he was as worried as I was last night about what we'd wake up to. Reaching out to other people, continuing to write, to read, to connect, is all we can do. Thanks, Nan. Sending love x
Thank you, Wendy. I agree. We just keep living, writing, sharing ourselves. Definitely not a time to hide. Returning your love with mine. Say hi to your son for me. xo
A hug, for everyone who needs one today. And thank you !
Thank you, Neela. Sending you one, too. xo
Love you, Nan. Thank you for giving words to this miserable day of grief and fear.
Love you too, Catherine. Time for a cocktail, or at least a visit?
Thank you for this Lovey. I read it in my car at the fields and the pent up tears unlocked. I'm glad you're ready to keep fighting. Thank you for your words, your courage, and for YOU.
You are very welcome. I had to say something. Sitting down and writing was the most positive thing I could do today. I really wish we were together yesterday. xo
Good morning, Nan! I would tell you my heart is heavy today, but you already know that. I’m writing to say thank you for being you. I woke up and read this and looked over at Mini Cooper on the pillow next to me, and Mini looked at me with so much love. And I read this, amazing woman, and I am grateful for you. So I did the right thing and became a paid subscriber to Nan Tepper. Sending you so much love.💕🫶🥰🙏
Thank you, my darling new friend. We are heartbroken. I can't stop thinking of Kamala. I'm going to ignore the newspapers, the articles, the pundits, maybe forever.
Oh, Nan. I think of the story you wrote, and my story, and the many stories that we - all of us who live in female bodies - have not yet told, maybe because of the way we’ve been brutalized and shamed and traumatized, and now I see the truth I kept denying because that’s what you do to keep living in this world. I just want to say thank you. You are a shining light and a force for good in this world. I have to get up now and get ready to get my flu shot and yes, my Covid vaccine because who knows if a time will come when I won’t be able to get them. Big hugs. We’ll talk later.🫶💕❤️
Hi. I got a flu shot yesterday. I'm waiting on Covid for a couple of weeks, at my FNP's advice. I usually have a reaction to the vaccine, so I don't want to put them to close together. Let's talk soon. Men are so afraid of us, that's what all the oppression is motivated by.
I'm too distraught for words. I found comfort in your words, knowing I'm not alone. We're all in this together. ((((Group hugs))))
Yes, we are. xo
My first thought was I want to run away. My second thought was that I need to stay and love. My HP is NOT the POTUS.
Exactly! We just keep doing the work and loving and healing.