It's getting scarier by the day to navigate life with a raging virus spreading ever so rapidly. It's even harder to surround yourself with things that are beautiful and soothing when there's an increase in deaths everyday, and the future looks bleak. While staying updated is important, it is more important than ever to keep our minds nourished and rested, with content that isn't full of panic and anxiety. There's only so much stress our bodies can take on a regular basis.

Here is a quick check on how you're feeling (that being said please wash your hands as often as you can, and stay at home. this is merely for your state of mind) - Are you reading updates about the coronavirus for more than 60% of your time online? Is it all you're talking about with your friends? Is this constant discussion beneficial to you when done that frequently? Are you moving your body a little everyday (light stretches are okay too)? Are you plugging out of social media and news outlets for some time every day?

Taking some time off to do things that you enjoy while at home is not indulgent, it's something we owe ourselves. 
+ A lot of websites are offering free books and online courses. Scribd has a spectacular collection of books, and a free 30 day trial. Check out this link for more e-books. As much as I love these resources, I can't help but feel an intense pressure to read things, to learn things, as if this time given to those of us who are fortunate enough is being wasted by not squeezing the marrow out of every minute by catching up on TV shows, reading a hundred books or learning things. My need to collect as many great books as I can is now meeting a serious need to chill the fuck out. That being said, the links here are simply options for you to check out if you want something new. You don't have to check it all out now.

++ Also, please donate if you can. We are under lockdown, and daily wage workers will get hit the hardest. We can support them. The smallest donation can make a difference. Here are a few links I found, you can pick whichever NGO or initiative resonates with you the most.
Goonj, Zomato : Feeding India, Project Mumbai, and here's a link with a spreadsheet with several NGO's that someone sent me on WhatsApp.
Pick an NGO that you trust, be careful about who you're giving your money to.
 

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BOOKS
Here are some books I read on Scribd, and thoroughly enjoyed.
Inward by yung pueblo.
Death Wins a Goldfish by Brian Rea. 
Things I'd Do (But Just for You) by Jack Sjogren.
What I plan to read in the next two weeks - All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks, and No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay.

Here are books I read earlier that could be perfect for this time -
If you're seeking the end of the world stories done well - Severance by Ling Ma. 
If you're looking for books on history - Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and Rebel Sultans by Manu S Pillai.
If you want a Pulitzer winning light romance - Less by Andrew Sean Greer
If you want something madly well written - A Little Life and People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara.
If you want to be soothed - anything by Mary Oliver.
 

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ARTICLES
I didn't read many articles that stuck out this month. I do have hundreds of tabs open with articles I mean to read, but I haven't gotten to them yet.
 

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LISTEN
What I've been listening to feel grounded-
+ Poetry Unbound
++ On Being

Analysing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic -
The Side Effect of Social Distancing - Freakonomics Radio
At Arm's Length - The Observatory
Creativity & Community in Times of Crisis - Clever Podcast

Some episodes I enjoyed in the past few months -
AirBnb : Joe Gebbia on How I Built This.
Interview with Joe Gebbia on the Clever Podcast.
The Future vs the Future on Design Tomorrow.
5 Psychology Terms you're Probably Misusing on the Freakonomics Podcast.
Timothy Goodman on Design Matters.
David Whyte on On Being.
John O'Donohue on On Being.
Lovingkidness (metta) guided meditation by Tara Brach.
 

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ART +  PHOTOGRAPHY
Airport Aerials.
Aerial Hawaii - Kilauea volcano.
Museums offering virtual tours.
 

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LIGHT THINGS
Brian Rea's #avoidthis comics on Instagram.
12 Kinds of Kindness by Jessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman.

That's about it. I hope you get enough rest, stay indoors and prioritise your mental health. Send me an email (sachi.mavinkurve@gmail.com) if you want to chat or discuss anything. I'm here for you. 

With lots of love,
Sachi