capitalism got you down?
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I had many ideas for what to talk about in this week’s newsletter. For instance, I was going to talk about the beauty of building community sparked by how a woman in my CorePower Strength X class commented on my performance (ok, I’m blushing?!) and how I ran into an acquaintance/new friend at an event for Hung Up, a newsletter by Hunter Harris, that we both decided to go to alone. I had an idea for consolidating my favorite happy hour spots in a few select neighborhoods of New York, now that it’s warm and we can all enjoy a cheeky beveragino outside. I was going to talk about my favorite pasta salad recipes, now that the spring produce is producin’.
But then all that went out the door cause capitalism got me down BAD this week, ya’ll. Allow me to elaborate…
First the exciting news, I launched my new website this week! 🥳 This new version is the product of weeks of thought, care, intention, and coding (new woman in STEM just launched, heyyy) that I am immensely proud of. It reflects the creative professional I am (I handdrew all those custom buttons—click ‘em!), but also the one I hope to be. I hope you’ll check it out and share it around if you think you might know someone I would be a good fit to work with :)
All that said, the “capitalism got me down” bit all came when I realized the site was in a good place, ready to be out in the world. I thought to myself, I really hope this helps get further on the path I want to be on…But which path is that?? Will leaning more into creative fields afford me the same financial freedom as taking on more corporate roles? How much do I care about that? Should I just suck it up, post 2-3 TikToks a day until I get famous and can buy a house in the Hamptons?1 Should I get a very corporate full-time job, work 60 hours a week and completely change how I live my life? Just tell me what to do, father!
I’m sorry if this is stressing you out. The core essence of Floor Time is distraction—this is meant to be a relief from corporate America, I know! I just feel it’s been a while since I acknowledged the elephant in the room. And even though I, personally, am having the kind of week where I need someone else to write me a Floor Time, lemme say this: Even with all the existential dread, I am still rather optimistic. I have to believe that The Artist’s Way taught me some things, like synchronicity is real, the promise of “salvation” (whatever that may look like for you) is worth the journey, and life is just a continuous quest to align with your higher self—unfortunately all this must happen under capitalism. So the big mystery to solve is how to operate under capitalism while still maintaining our sanity, finding value, and not compromising our ethics.
I’ll leave you with the wisdom I got from someone smarter than me, my therapist. I lamented about all this to her, and she suggested I write some mission statements for myself. She said, “You’re an entrepreneur—for all intents and purposes you are a business. So write a mission statement you can live by as you navigate new projects and clients.” And although sitting down to write this has been uncomfortable and frustrating, I think that’s what makes it such a good exercise. It forced me to be honest with myself. I had to spell out what will bring me fulfillment and make me feel balanced in this capitalist society we must exist in. I won’t share my mission statement with you, because frankly, it’s not for you, but if you’re feeling the way I’m feeling this week, I might suggest you give this a go. Put it somewhere you can easily reference it, and use it as a litmus test for everything you do.
Oh! And one last last thing before we go. Someone bought me a coffee (see below) which I deeply appreciate! They left this comment with their gift: “Thanks for keeping us laughing, feeling, thinking, and generally being human with you!😊” I decided it is the exact mission statement of Floor Time. Even though this week’s topic was perhaps not as light as per uszj2, I hope you can commisserate with me and we can all be human together ♡‧₊˚
Something I Thought of in the Shower
Is Billie Eyelash the only pop queen who gave us a banger this season, because Taylor, Kacey, Maggie, and Dua all missed the mark for me.
Something Pretty
I attended my best friend’s engagement party last weekend, and another friend single-handedly crafted the most incredible flower arrangements for the event because she’s unbelievably talented.
Something To Laugh About
Here are this week’s gems:
Hiiii this is me. Let’s work together :)
This girl is it, bringing the only energy we’re here for this summer.
The only other pop girlie who hit her mark this season is Sabrina Carpenter—and I have never been a fan until “Espresso.” This Griff cover is just the crossover I needed.
The silly little way I announced my new website because this is what networking is now?!
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
I’m a little late to the party, but I plan to start Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I LOVE The Martian but didn’t love Artemis. That said, many people have recommended and raved about this one so I have high hopes!
And I’m watching this.
The Bridgerton carriage scene on repeat *ahem*—I mean, Lockwood & Co. As regular Floor Time readers know, I had a blast watching Dead Boy Detectives and figured I would give Lockwood a try even though it was cancelled after one season. I am very much back on my sci-fi / fantasy kick at the moment and this quenches that thirst for sure. Ghost-busting?! Sign me up. Also fun fact, that actress on the right, Ruby Stokes, is the original Francesca Bridgerton.
Hope you all have a lovely long weekend. It looks absolutely gorgeous out in New York City—I plan to take advantage of my self-enforced summer Friday and will be frolicking come 2PM. Capitalism will keep me down no longer!!!
Til’ next time, fellow cogs. Your friend,
Clarice
I don’t wanna be too critical of any woman’s success, but yeah this made me feel icky. This made me look at society and once again face the kind of thing we put value behind.
This is the dictionary correct spelling of the “usual” abbreve. Don’t fight me on this.