Almost a year ago, I started working on a few zines for a zine fair I was going to be a part of. It was about growth, gardening, and grief. Unfortunately, I had to drop out of the event because my grandpa was ill. There will be times in our lives where we have to miss out on things we’ve been looking forward to (things like attending that second-interview for a dream job or getting accepted to participate in a large creative event, alas) because we have to take care of ourselves and our people.

Yes, there are things that are out of our control, but there are also many things that we have the power to influence.

Because we are all collectively experiencing this wild and uncertain time, I thought it would be appropriate to re-work the grief zine and share it with all of you. I know everyone is going through very similar feelings of anxiety, fear, and everything in-between so I hope it brings about some peace and comfort, even if it’s just a little.

Feel free to download and print the zine, here.

Once you have it printed, follow the folding instructions below:

This article was a great reference for this particular zine. It helped me recenter my thoughts and feel a bit more at ease. Here are some other reminders that have been helping (also in the zine):

The world has changed and things will be different. Remember: this is temporary, even though it doesn’t feel that way.
It is okay to feel afraid, angry, confused, unmotivated, sad. Acknowledge what you feel. Make space for that feeling. Feel it whether or not someone else is feeling something. (Feel it to heal it!)
Focus on what you can control (health, social distancing, preparing meals, board games, reading an abandoned book, calling friends and family, staying home, going on walks, deep breaths, cleaning and organizing, accepting, screen-breaks *important!*).
Find balance in the things you’re thinking.
Nature is not cancelled. Look up at the sky. Lie in the grass. Move your body.
Be present. Try to name five things in the room to help you focus. In the present, nothing you’ve anticipated has happened. In this moment, you are okay. Use your senses and what they feel.
BREATHE. Really feel the breath coming into your nose, deep in your belly, and slowly out through your mouth. Controlled.
Be compassionate. Be patient. Be kind.
This is survivable.
You are resilient.
Keep trying.

I’m hoping to get some printable coloring pages uploaded soon. Until then, be well!

*UPDATE* Download the coloring pages
Happy meditation!

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Journal

Re-centering During COVID-19

JoJo Baccam