How to Create a Quick Reset
A newsletter about writing, art and living more creatively
I'll be honest with you: there have been some real highs and lows during the last few months. Some sad news, some good news. It's all part of time passing, I know, but it feels heightened lately.
I am also still holding the AAPI community in my thoughts after recent events and it's unbelievable to me that there's so much anti-trans legislation.
I have been trying to prioritize rest, and tell myself that it's okay if my desk is messy or the kitchen floor is dusty. I can get to it tomorrow.
So, at the risk of sounding too much like my last newsletter, I just wanted to encourage you to take a breath when you can. To take a quick reset.
GIF by doniabatata
I've been doing this in a few ways, lately, in case they're helpful:
Finding a new podcast with long episodes and using that to start and end my walk. If I have the space, I choose an hour-long episode. My recs: You're Wrong About, Design Matters, Criminal.
Read a book unrelated to what you're thinking about right now. My recs: poetry, weird histories, biographies of people you don't know anything about.
Schedule the time. Actually write in your planner: evening off. Or walk while chatting with a friend on the phone. And stick to it.
FaceTime with a kid. I have lots of little ones in my life and wow they get so excited about the smallest things. 10/10 would recommend.
Listen to ASMR. I do this to sleep, mostly, but wow is it helpful. Here's a recent favorite.
Write a letter. Find a pen pal program or just sent a letter to a friend in another state.
Hit that REPLY button if you have any thoughts.
In my own work:
I wrote about why I miss museums.
For Women's History Month, I wrote about Studio Loja Saarinen and Ruth Clement Bond.
I wrote about Carolina Caycedo's exhibition in LA, which you can see from the sidewalk.
Your favorite small but feisty writer,
Eva
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Opportunities of the Month
New Ohio Review 2021 Nonfiction Contest
Submissions due April 15
More info here
Bethany Arts Community Residencies
Applications due April 15
More info here
Pen Parentis Writing Fellowship
for New Parents
Submissions due April 17
More info here
Ida B. Wells/New York Times
Investigative Reporting Internship Program
(college juniors, seniors, recent grads)
Applications due April 19
More info here
Detroit Design Incubator
Applications due April 19
More info here
Studio Museum in Harlem
Artist-in-Residence
Applications due April 19
More info here
Just Buffalo Literary Center
Poetry Fellowship
Applications due April 30
More info here
VelvetPark Media LGBTQ+
Visual Artist Residency
Applications due April 30
More info here
2021 Cave Canem Poetry Prize
Submissions due April 30
More info here
2021 Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry
Submissions due April 30
More info here
Hurston/Wright Writers Week 2021 Application
Applications due April 30
More info here
Waterston Desert Writing Prize
Applications due May 1
More info here