Literary Pixie

By Sammy Ginsberg

I went back to therapy. It is helpful, albeit I do feel relatively fine. Working through my PTSD from past work experiences and it is pretty fucking magical.

Feeling so grateful for my colleagues and community at the new school I’m working at! I am even starting to dream of working there next year and going back to teaching full-time, which at the start of the year seemed pretty wild to think about.

The thing that I am finding challenging is that I am finding it hard to work after work. I am finding that I am letting things drop, or feeling overwhelmed, or disappointing people. Or not taking care of myself (as I write this my dishes are piled high!!! And so is my laundry). And I haven’t been able to figure out how to call my Grandma in the UK yet, or visit my Grandma here. I’m capped!

And so, I’ve got to say no to something – but what. I’ve got to set some muthafucking boundaries baby. Embracing the joy of saying no! I was sharng this with my therapist on Monday, and he asked me to write a list of what’s on my plate and try to prioritize them as my homework.

Sitting here, I have so much work to do (I am at the weekly Shut Up and Write that I host in Los Feliz! – there are 19 people here writing with me MAGICALLLL!!) with an hour carved out – what am I going to do.

First, I decided to update you! and Write my list.

Also, before I get going, I have to tell you, never mind! I am going to share this link with my therapist so…

Things on my plate:

1. Hosting Shut Up and Write in Los Feliz every Wednesday
2. Managing the Los Feliz Writers social media and email list
3. Creating a monthly list of events on my blog
4. Teaching 9th grade and English Learners (5 periods with two co-teachers)
5. Performing Poetry on Sunday at Dazed and Confused Poetry Club
6. Vice-President of the St. Andrews Alumni LA
7. Producing Burns Night event: Finish the Burns Night email
8. Co-Director at CSUN Writing Project (I need to make all those eventbrites and the posts)
9. Setting up a Los Feliz Patrol training
10. Setting up a Los Feliz Zine-making event
11. SCTE Social Media Chair (Updating website)
12. Organizing Teacher Party for SCTE & CATE
13. If These Stalls Could Talk, The Feminist Toilet Anthology and Launch Party with Brian!!!
14. Teen & Educator Programming with Skylight Books
15. Bookstore Signing Liaison
16. Setting up the nonprofit

Okay, I really do think that is everything!

That doesn’t include any of the things I need to do to live!!! And if we’re prioritizing things paying me money then my top three are:

1. Teaching 9th grade and English Learners (5 periods with two co-teachers)
2. Co-Director at CSUN Writing Project (I need to make all those eventbrites and the posts)
3. SCTE Social Media Chair (Updating website)

Everything else are extra things out of passion, meaningfulness!

I have also wanted to start actively dating again. I’m missing having a partner, or someone I am romantic/physically intimate with in my life. I am still not over Andrew, which is really infuriating since it’s been over a year!!! USUALLY it takes me 3 months to get over someone. I’m over the other guys I was seeing.

Although I said I wouldn’t date until June! It’s January! Five months!! Do I wait it out? Do I post on my Instagram I’m single!!! If anyone wants to set me up! I just want to focus on the things listed above, and see who is doing what I’m doing instead of going on apps and speed-dating and meeting RANDOS! Maybe we organize a speed dating for booklovers & speed dating for writers and activists. Actually there is already an event for that. In February! And that matchmaking festival!

That reminded me to text Roxi so I did. I will include those on my eventlisting!

Also, should I sign up for an 8 week stand-up course?

Okay, I gotta do the work I listed.

At least I listed it!

Aslso – yeah taking care of myself, seeing friends and family!! I gotta do that too! Coffees and just for funsies things!!