A Check-in After a Year long Week.

Naledi Ntuli
Jul 18, 2021
3 min read

Hello.☕

I'm exponentially glad you have chosen to grace this platform with your presence.

In my last post I was sharing the outline to my everyday morning routine, in the post I mention sharing guides I use for weekly cleaning and daily affirming.

However, since then South Africa has seen tragedies; and I've thought about the reality of our country and felt it out as soon as it came to my attention. This did not inconvenience me as much as I imagine it did others.

My blogging calendar did not have a slot for such turn of events but this is what brought me face-to-face with my privilege. I imagine countless South Africans struggling to make ends meet had anticipated a time where, unfortunately, they would have to break down doors to eat. Whatever your analysis of "who's who in the zoo", the history of looting has stained our land for very long, its treacherous how the ones who are most bled on are the poor.

So, with a few days to observe, and a whole lot longer to navigate and make change - these are questions I have pondered on - some ways I took care of me and ways I hope to adopt to contribute to my community.

Below are journal prompts that can help you in determining how you feel beneath the "fine and okay" that come with being programmed to say you are so:

1. During which moments did my body felt tense this week?

2. Have I been overtly aware of the reality in South Africa?

3. How have I been affected by these events?

4. How have these events not affected me?

5. Do I feel propelled to check the news or other updates covering the riots*?

6. Do I feel anger, worry, helplessness or even sadness?

7. Am I devoid* of the aforementioned* emotions? Why could that be so?

Tips on how to care for you while not detaching from reality.

1. Switch it off!

-If you spend considerable time online you might have already seen suggestions about this. Passive consumption of the content on screens stays with us even after we move onto something else, our bodies store these emotions.

2. Walk, listen to music or talk to a friend.

-The blessing of having the pleasure to walk it out to relieve any stored stress shouldn't be taken for granted! Albeit, should this not be an option for you, shut the world out and tune into your favorite mellow playlist. Or, at the availability and willingness of a friend, share your emotions.

3. Sleep.

- Now, I know how this seems like an escape (and it could be) but optimum sleep can be a reliever. If you still have work or school-related commitments get to bed even sooner than you normally would.

4. Stay informed.

- This may read contradictory, but detaching from our reality, even as things seem to get better, is not the solution. Find a site or source that you trust and read up on the state of things at a time most convenient to you.

Checking your Privilege.

In 2021, some of the things listed below should be basic human rights, or they should be reachable to all human beings but not all are fortunate.

"The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free." - Maya Angelou.

I hope this quote gets you to look inward to whatever you may be privileged with.

If you've consistently had food during this entire pandemic.
Access to information and/or connectivity.
A place to sleep in, safely.
A stable income.
A safe neighborhood.

How to give back or contribute to community.

1. Share.

- This can be in the form of information, food, sanitation - compassion goes a long way and we can all do with some.

2. Do not spread false information.

- This is very detrimental to many, if uncertain it is altogether better to keep quiet.

3. Care for self is care for the whole.

- This synecdoche couldn't be more true, how can the whole piece be well if parts of it are falling apart? It simply doesn't math. So, take time out to care for yourself because you matter!

4. Clean up your cities.

- There have been countless "let's clean our Cities" programs in Durban, those really upped my hope by a 100. Humanity can strive, so can South Africa, and when the opportunity presents itself, please be a hero - we need it.