Git it.

Hello beautiful people,

How are you holding up these days?

I am not gonna lie, I started a draft of this newsletter in November or December of 2025. And I started it again last week. Now here we are at the end of one of the most chaotic weeks.

My intent is to be as present as possible when I write these. However life has felt like living in a slow rolling tumble dry cycle. Staying grounded and balanced has proved difficult and I have been struggling with words.

We are witnessing a lot of distressing events and we have been for a while. We are surrounded by forces that actively promote fear. I humbly suggest we remember the joy. We should not forget these things and we should take action in the capacity we can. But we should not forget what brings light and ease to our hearts.

When I feel overwhelmed I find it helpful to remember that I should start small. I think of one action that is within my control. It can start with something as slight as remembering to breathe or stretch.

Once I take that first step it creates more momentum to trust myself and my instincts. It puts me in my body and out of my head. It allows me to feel things again when I try to shut down.

What are some things that ground you?

Find that thing and put your energy towards that. You have to fill your own tank before you can fully show up for others.

Being an artist is the best way I know how to be on the planet. It’s the clearest way for me to show up. January is always a time when I sort through all my receipts. As I sift through my year I take stock and find little clues from past inspirations. Looking back I realize I have only written 6 or 7 newsletters. I have a few ideas floating around in my head. One idea is to increase my writing, because the more I get the words down the more space there is for creating.

I will be sharing more as we continue through this mad world. I hope you come along.

In the meantime, one of my small paintings has been accepted in a sweet show called Urban Romance that is set in a kiosk in a Muni stop in downtown San Francisco. It would be lovely to see you at the opening on Feb 5th. Details are below.

Take care,

Zoe

Latest Read: Welcome To the Monkey House. Kurt Vonnegut. Buy at your local bookstore or even better, check it out from your local library!

Art Date: 

Join me at Urban Romance

Thursday, February 5, 2026
5:00–9:00 PM
The Urbanist Kiosks – Union Square SF MUNI Station
please RSVP here

Join us in the underground Muni station for art, music, and collective love for the city.

Inspiration: People who are out in the streets protecting their neighbors.

Shout Out: To the folks who make the ultimate sacrifice. The list is long and growing. Continue to witness and let it build a fire in your heart.

This is #8 of Zoe Ani’s Tidbits & Tangents. You can subscribe or view the archives online.