I’m not sold on having “rooted” as my word of the year, but I can still play with the idea until I come up with a better word or just don’t have one at all. Here are half of the journal prompts I have about being rooted.

What helps me feel most like myself, even when everything else is shaky?

Learning interesting things. Especially unlearning untrue things people keep repeating. “That’s a trauma response.” “That’s the silent treatment.” Well, actually….Familiar music sometimes does it too. I used to say, “all is well.” Don’t say it as much anymore, but it might still work.

When do I feel the most anchored or steady, even for a minute?

Do I want to feel steady? Hmmm. Interesting concept. Do I need to look into this more? 

If all outside opinions disappeared, what do I instinctively care about or return to?

Their opinions about what? So much of what they think doesn’t matter. They think I’m ugly. Who cares? Only things that affect resources and safety matter. When they say I’m not at all disabled, they are contributing to my poor quality of life. Ideally, no one’s opinion would truly matter. But only people with prestige, privilege, and safety can not care at all.

If their opinions didn’t affect my life, it would be better. Lol. I would love it. But every day, I have to deal with asinine opinions. Some are not based at all on fact or knowledge. 

What parts of myself or my life have stayed the same, even as the world has changed?

Good question. Not sure I have the brain power to answer this right now. So, this will be the last question. I still love dogs, music, books, and learning. I’m still myself. The world changing is an interesting way to phrase it.  The economy is bad, but I was born with an “affordability crisis,” so that hasn’t changed. Things seem pretty static. The good (?) and bad. I might come to this question, but I think that’s my final answer…unless something really changes.