Lovely post, thank you! Part of my personal way forward, that is very much in line with this, is to try and focus on (local) projects that focus on a 'holistic' projects that contribute to a combination of wellbeing, community building and sustainability simultaneously. I'm lucky that a live in a fairly connected, smallish rural community so I realise I probably have an easier starting point than most. But the overall principles apply anywhere. Some examples of what we've done is start a 'liftshare' scheme - which helps with social isolation, accessibility and reduction of carbon footprint. Also a program of seasonal celebrations, which brings people together, and increase their connection to nature (and hence hopefully their desire to preserve it), whilst having fun. People are scared and hopeless, so this uplifting element is so important in building the psychological flexibility I think! We also have a monthly wellbeing circle, with general topics around anxiety and stress, but also working on eco-angst/grief etc, and using frameworks such as Joanna Macy's Active Hope Spiral. Just some of my own 'tangible actions' in case it's helpful for anyone!
Beautiful ideas, Tamsin. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the liftshare scheme, I'll have to see whether we have anything like that we're I live. We're also semi-rural, and living in the valley my husband grew up in, so community is pretty readily-available here. I know it is not so easy for others, and applaud any and all efforts to create it. Local local local, must be our new mantra. All the best xx
Thanks Gabrielle! Happy to share experiences (with you or anyone) if it helps ever! The liftshare scheme is actually just really simple, via Whattsapp, so can be set up anywhere, particularly in small communities where there are lots of relationships of trust. Good luck with all you are doing!!
Hi Tamsin - I’d love to hear more about your lift-share scheme please! I live in a small rural community (in Tasmania) and I think it would be a really useful and constructive thing to set up here.
Kia ora Kate, thanks so much for your message, and sorry for my slow reply! The model we have set up is pretty simple, and should work well in another small community (as long as you have mobile reception)? Or happy to discuss other ideas even if not, as we've looked quite a bit at what people are doing elsewhere, so have some other ideas also. Do you want to drop me a line at norman.tamsin@gmail.com and we can go from there! Thanks and have a great day!! :-)
So interesting. I think my collapse awareness began in 2000. I often feel like I'm in a different mental state from others, witnessing the world with more objectivity, less anger, a sense of purpose, curiosity as I continue gathering skills, community and vision. I thought something was wrong with me, honestly, like I "should be" angrier. Everyone keeps encouraging me to be angrier. I don't see the point.
I relate! You might be interested in spiral dynamics by Ken Wilbur (not evidence based but interesting none-the-less). In particular, the difference between tier 1 and tier 2 consciousness xx
Thanks. Based on v preliminary research that does resonate for me. I don't feel afraid for the future as much as curious. Curious seems to be the best way to describe it. I don't feel an affiliation with any one "tribe." Sadness, yes, for the natural world being harmed in our human wake. There are a couple of things that still trigger me though related to ancestral trauma. Still much to unpack there. 😊🖤
Hi Gabrielle great to find you in Substack. This is an excellent clear analysis of the emotional dynamics of collapse, and what is needed to move through this to come to a committed and compassionate life in fast changing times. Look forward to reading more from you
Oh, thank you Sally! So lovely to find you here. I might reach out to you directly in the coming weeks if that's ok. I have some research coming up that you might be interested in. Thank you for connecting. Gabrielle
Thank you, this perfectly describes my journey of the last number of years and the steps I've taken to change my life accordingly. Very helpful to see it laid out and written so clearly.. 🙏💚💜
Neat article, thank you. I still wonder and struggle with “place based resilience” - my sense (for Darwinian survival) is that we will have to be ready to move. So the issue may be more like “relationship based resilience” - how do we stay together as we move away from “here”.
Thanks so much, Charles. I’ve always thought of place-based resilience as rooted in localism and land-based community care, but you raise such an important point- what happens when place becomes unstable? I love your idea of relationship-based resilience as something we can carry with us. It feels like a vital layer in times of displacement. Really appreciate you bringing this into the conversation.
Oh my god. I’m not sure whether I simply *want* this to make sense, but it describes my recent struggle so well it’s incredible (e.g. the five stages). This might turn out to be one of the most important pieces of text *ever* for me. Thank you for putting everything so clearly together, it’s as if someone just opened my eyes to something that was hiding in plain sight from me. So insightful.
Thanks! Nice to have discovered your newsletter. It was shared on a forum by someone in Europe, so it was neat to find out that you're local to me. I'm so used to most writers on these topics being northern hemisphere based
Hi Julie! Ooh my parents are exploring NW at the moment and sending stunning photos through - I'm so envious! We are considering a move North at some point due to dwindling natural resources down here (namely the fisheries). Probably east though, for the warmth! Thank you for being here :)
I love finding other Tasmanians on here (I'm in Hobart). Even better to find the ones that are writing to these times we are in. Thanks for this article Gabrielle x
All I want now is to find a bit of land somewhere nice and quiet and see out my time. I would love to take likeminded people with me, but no one I know seems to understand the situation fully. Or if they do, they have no interest in adapting.
Beautifully said. I’ve finally begun to arrive here but it feels so welcoming to hear others (on this app!) saying similar things. I have more hope than I have in years while simultaneously being more certain than ever that I/my family/we will experience plenty of discomfort in our lifetime. Holding fear and grounding into unknown. It’s time to Root Down and plant all the seeds you have mentioned.
Thank you so much for this. I had expected I would leave the country if it started to seriously look like it does today, but unfortunately I can no longer afford to. I’ve been trying to figure out how to live through this, in addition to resisting, and this article provides the answer to that.
I’m still trying to figure out the most effective means of resistance, other than protests. I know what I would *like* to see happen, but I won’t voice it publicly, especially online.
I've found myself in a similar position, it was a choice, but a very difficult one and i don't think i could afford it like i may have when I thought ssdi would be a sure thing forever (im rather disabled). So I'm starting a garden on my balcony and I plan to give extra food to my neighbors. I'm going to leave a box at the mailboxes to share. I'm also being very selective about where I do spend my money. I hope these ideas are helpful or get you thinking of something that might work for you💜
Beautiful post. Thank you. Im not sure this discourse was quite so alive when my novel imagining life-after-collapse was published in 2019. I’m pleased to see my characters did so many of these things. Thank you! ❤️ (The Lightest Object in the Universe, Algonquin Books)
This is one of the most helpful articles I have read. Thank you. This is really meaningful, tangible actions and ways to exist in today’s world.
Thank you, Priscilla!
I agree. It's succinct and clear and feels approachable. Thank you.
Lovely post, thank you! Part of my personal way forward, that is very much in line with this, is to try and focus on (local) projects that focus on a 'holistic' projects that contribute to a combination of wellbeing, community building and sustainability simultaneously. I'm lucky that a live in a fairly connected, smallish rural community so I realise I probably have an easier starting point than most. But the overall principles apply anywhere. Some examples of what we've done is start a 'liftshare' scheme - which helps with social isolation, accessibility and reduction of carbon footprint. Also a program of seasonal celebrations, which brings people together, and increase their connection to nature (and hence hopefully their desire to preserve it), whilst having fun. People are scared and hopeless, so this uplifting element is so important in building the psychological flexibility I think! We also have a monthly wellbeing circle, with general topics around anxiety and stress, but also working on eco-angst/grief etc, and using frameworks such as Joanna Macy's Active Hope Spiral. Just some of my own 'tangible actions' in case it's helpful for anyone!
Beautiful ideas, Tamsin. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the liftshare scheme, I'll have to see whether we have anything like that we're I live. We're also semi-rural, and living in the valley my husband grew up in, so community is pretty readily-available here. I know it is not so easy for others, and applaud any and all efforts to create it. Local local local, must be our new mantra. All the best xx
Thanks Gabrielle! Happy to share experiences (with you or anyone) if it helps ever! The liftshare scheme is actually just really simple, via Whattsapp, so can be set up anywhere, particularly in small communities where there are lots of relationships of trust. Good luck with all you are doing!!
Hi Tamsin - I’d love to hear more about your lift-share scheme please! I live in a small rural community (in Tasmania) and I think it would be a really useful and constructive thing to set up here.
Kia ora Kate, thanks so much for your message, and sorry for my slow reply! The model we have set up is pretty simple, and should work well in another small community (as long as you have mobile reception)? Or happy to discuss other ideas even if not, as we've looked quite a bit at what people are doing elsewhere, so have some other ideas also. Do you want to drop me a line at norman.tamsin@gmail.com and we can go from there! Thanks and have a great day!! :-)
Thanks Tamsin - I have emailed you 🙂
So interesting. I think my collapse awareness began in 2000. I often feel like I'm in a different mental state from others, witnessing the world with more objectivity, less anger, a sense of purpose, curiosity as I continue gathering skills, community and vision. I thought something was wrong with me, honestly, like I "should be" angrier. Everyone keeps encouraging me to be angrier. I don't see the point.
I relate! You might be interested in spiral dynamics by Ken Wilbur (not evidence based but interesting none-the-less). In particular, the difference between tier 1 and tier 2 consciousness xx
Thanks. Based on v preliminary research that does resonate for me. I don't feel afraid for the future as much as curious. Curious seems to be the best way to describe it. I don't feel an affiliation with any one "tribe." Sadness, yes, for the natural world being harmed in our human wake. There are a couple of things that still trigger me though related to ancestral trauma. Still much to unpack there. 😊🖤
I feel the same way. 💛
Thanks for this piece Gabrielle. This is one of the most balanced and useful pieces I have seen on this subject 🙏
Thank you Vicki!
Hi Gabrielle great to find you in Substack. This is an excellent clear analysis of the emotional dynamics of collapse, and what is needed to move through this to come to a committed and compassionate life in fast changing times. Look forward to reading more from you
Oh, thank you Sally! So lovely to find you here. I might reach out to you directly in the coming weeks if that's ok. I have some research coming up that you might be interested in. Thank you for connecting. Gabrielle
so helpful and sane - thank you. I was spiralling a bit today reading about the world, and this really has helped.
Thank you, this perfectly describes my journey of the last number of years and the steps I've taken to change my life accordingly. Very helpful to see it laid out and written so clearly.. 🙏💚💜
Yes! This is a perfect primer for collapse, Gabrielle, and should be required reading. So glad you're here and sharing on this critical topic!
Thank you so much, Maya!
Neat article, thank you. I still wonder and struggle with “place based resilience” - my sense (for Darwinian survival) is that we will have to be ready to move. So the issue may be more like “relationship based resilience” - how do we stay together as we move away from “here”.
Thanks so much, Charles. I’ve always thought of place-based resilience as rooted in localism and land-based community care, but you raise such an important point- what happens when place becomes unstable? I love your idea of relationship-based resilience as something we can carry with us. It feels like a vital layer in times of displacement. Really appreciate you bringing this into the conversation.
Oh my god. I’m not sure whether I simply *want* this to make sense, but it describes my recent struggle so well it’s incredible (e.g. the five stages). This might turn out to be one of the most important pieces of text *ever* for me. Thank you for putting everything so clearly together, it’s as if someone just opened my eyes to something that was hiding in plain sight from me. So insightful.
Brilliant summation!
I see you’re in Tasmania, so am I! I’m near Lilydale in the NE, which region are you in?
I'm SE! Below Hobart. Nice to have you here 😊
Thanks! Nice to have discovered your newsletter. It was shared on a forum by someone in Europe, so it was neat to find out that you're local to me. I'm so used to most writers on these topics being northern hemisphere based
That's amazing! I also rarely get local readers 😅 hoping to find more of us eventually and move this off-line, one day!!
we're here Gabrielle! (tassie readers)
im up in northwest sadly not rural
but v happy to be here in Tas in these times i
im so enjoying your writings
thanks Julie
Hi Julie! Ooh my parents are exploring NW at the moment and sending stunning photos through - I'm so envious! We are considering a move North at some point due to dwindling natural resources down here (namely the fisheries). Probably east though, for the warmth! Thank you for being here :)
Do you know Linda and Trev from down your way?
https://thequietrevolution.substack.com/
I don't! But thank you for the connection. I'll follow and keep an eye out for them 😊
I love finding other Tasmanians on here (I'm in Hobart). Even better to find the ones that are writing to these times we are in. Thanks for this article Gabrielle x
All I want now is to find a bit of land somewhere nice and quiet and see out my time. I would love to take likeminded people with me, but no one I know seems to understand the situation fully. Or if they do, they have no interest in adapting.
It’s pretty frustrating.
Beautifully said. I’ve finally begun to arrive here but it feels so welcoming to hear others (on this app!) saying similar things. I have more hope than I have in years while simultaneously being more certain than ever that I/my family/we will experience plenty of discomfort in our lifetime. Holding fear and grounding into unknown. It’s time to Root Down and plant all the seeds you have mentioned.
Thank you so much for this. I had expected I would leave the country if it started to seriously look like it does today, but unfortunately I can no longer afford to. I’ve been trying to figure out how to live through this, in addition to resisting, and this article provides the answer to that.
I’m still trying to figure out the most effective means of resistance, other than protests. I know what I would *like* to see happen, but I won’t voice it publicly, especially online.
I've found myself in a similar position, it was a choice, but a very difficult one and i don't think i could afford it like i may have when I thought ssdi would be a sure thing forever (im rather disabled). So I'm starting a garden on my balcony and I plan to give extra food to my neighbors. I'm going to leave a box at the mailboxes to share. I'm also being very selective about where I do spend my money. I hope these ideas are helpful or get you thinking of something that might work for you💜
I really needed to read this today. You put words to what I’ve been feeling and struggling with today. Thank you.
Beautiful post. Thank you. Im not sure this discourse was quite so alive when my novel imagining life-after-collapse was published in 2019. I’m pleased to see my characters did so many of these things. Thank you! ❤️ (The Lightest Object in the Universe, Algonquin Books)
Oh beautiful, I will check it out! Thank you for your kind words 😊