Greet.

A short (and true) story:

“Knock, knock.”

“Who is it?”

“Hello, my name is Frustration.”

“Oh, umm, ok. Hold on a sec.”

I turn away from the front door. I run to the list of coping mechanisms on my fridge that I’ve written up to handle frustration. I try them out, one at a time.

I put in some laundry.
I go for a walk.
I clean the floors.
I do some organizing.
I draw something.
I clean the bathroom.
I talk to someone about it.
I listen to music.

It is such a wonderful list and yet today, nothing works. So I walk back to the front door and open it.

“Hello, my name is Frustration.”

“Hello Frustration. I guess you are here for a visit. Why don’t you come in and we will sit together for a while.”

Sometimes, you just have to invite the feeling in.
Sometimes, your coping mechanisms are just not going to make it go away.
Sometimes, turning towards and looking straight at it is the best solution.
It’s uncomfortable, but it works.

I love you.
xo,
Chirp and Moo

---

Hey there, I have a couple bits of news:

1. For those of you interested in the intersection of The Arts & Health, I have started a new Substack newsletter called Art Rx. I am sharing science & research, creative invitations & prompts, art & poetry, as well as notes from the field (things I have learned & observed over the past 10 years of my personal journey through the healing affects of creativity in my life). You can check it out here.

2. Do you like snail mail? What about getting an in-hands, homemade Love Letter from me once a month! I’ve started a monthly Tiny Love Letters Club. You can sign up here.