So many of you have applied for citizenship in Genovia, there is actually a bit of a backlog at the consulate!
So, in my capacity as her royal biographer, it is my duty to inform you that Princess Mia Thermopolis is committed to welcoming every person who wishes to bring their unique skills and perspective to her country…but only if they’re interested in advancing Her Royal Highness’s fight for the health, education, human rights, and financial stability of every single Genovian citizen.
But of course I understand that, until the Royal Genovian Consulate gets their backlog of paperwork straightened out and can begin approving visas, we need to figure out how to cope with the mental/emotional whiplash that many of us are experiencing due to the US election.
But having lived through this many, many times, I know what to do about it:
First: Fight.
Here are 26 groups whose work is going to be critical in the next few years. From climate justice, empowering women, helping marginalized people, and fighting censorship, these groups desperately need our help. If you can’t contribute money, many of these groups list other ways to contribute, including donating your time and any other skills you might have to create Good Things while fighting the Bad Thing instead.
Second: Read books.
“But who has time for books?” I know some of you are asking. “The world is on fire—in some places, literally. I can’t bury my head in a book. And I don’t even have the attention span to read the news anymore!”
I know. I went through the same thing myself. But then I did something crazy:
I exited social media (in some cases, deactivated and deleted apps entirely); turned off the news; disassociated with toxic friends/family members; and picked up a book.
It wasn’t easy! At first, no book in any form could hold my attention, let alone distract me from the Bad Things.
But reading books is one of the best ways (besides volunteering, exercising, and socializing with others) to combat stress, depression, and even the cognitive dissonance that can be caused when there too many Bad Things.
So I decided to try re-reading the “classics”—personal favorites that have always made me feel good. Never mind that these were books I’ve read before. I have fond memories of them, which means I enjoyed reading them once. Maybe that magic would return, and I’d enjoy reading them again?
Readers: It worked.
I’m back to reading, both old and new stuff, and despite the many storms brewing outside my window (in some cases literally), I feel centered and calm. While burying your head in a book might seem like a selfish (or even self-defeating) thing to do right now, it’s actually not:
It’s a form of self-care.
Reading can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. It also enhances our critical thinking skills and creativity, while stimulating the brain’s neural pathways. This stimulation enhances brain activity, memory and cognitive function — ultimately boosting our creativity and expanding our capacity to learn, which will prepare us for the fight against the Bad Things!
And it doesn’t matter how or what you read–audio books, graphic novels, e-books, physical books, fiction, nonfiction…all of them will work to give you the mental boost we’re going to need for the battles that await.
Which is why this holiday season, I will be giving B O O K S to myself and others as a present! If you would like to join me, please visit:
Books and Books Key West (which also happens to be an indie non-profit bookstore and qualified [501(c)(3)] charity set up and co-operated by none other than famous author JUDY BLUME, as well as other community-minded Key West citizens), especially if you want to give the gift of Meg Cabot books.
Just go to the online Meg Cabot page at Books and Books KW, select the book(s) you’d like, and let the store know how you’d like them personalized (or if you’d only like them signed). You don’t even have to speak to anyone if you don’t want to, you can write the instructions on the comment section when you order.
Then leave the rest to Books and Books! (The store is happy to ship internationally, so no worries about that, either.)
If you’re ordering signed books for holiday gifts, you might want to do so by Friday, 12/13 in order to get free shipping (within the continental US). For 1-3 day priority shipping, you should order by 12/19 if you want the books to get there on time (for shipping outside of the continental US, consult the store)!
If a book is out of your price range right now, don’t worry! You can still get that special someone the gift of reading. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to my PO Box (address below), and I’ll return it to you filled with the autographed bookplates (indicate how many you’d like, and if you’d like them personalized), and bookmarks while they last!
Send the SASE to:
Meg Cabot
P.O. Box 4904
Key West, FL 33041-4904
Send your SASE now (RIGHT NOW) so it can be sent back to you in time for the holidays, and so that you can then give the enclosed items to your friends/loved ones!
I don’t know when the Royal Genovian Consulate will get through their backlog of applications for citizenship so that we can all go there.
But I DO know that there is room for everyone…and that makes me happy.
I hope you’ll find something this holiday season that makes YOU happy, as well, and that you’ll join me in helping to create Good Things.
More later.
Much love,
Meg
