Self Care

by | Jan 26, 2015 | Self-Love | 2 comments

Lately, there’s been a Self Care blog tag circulating the internet. It’s an extremely important topic, and I’m happy to have been tagged in it to be able to provide my responses and insights.

So often we get wrapped up in the speedy pace we tend to live our lives. We’re consumed by technology, work, or the needs of others and we forget to make time to truly tend to our own needs. How often have you forgotten to eat or even put off going to the bathroom to do other things? It’s ridiculous! But somehow we all do it.

Today I’m going to share my answers to the set of circulating questions that will hopefully give you some ideas for self-care/love, but you should definitely also check out Michelle’s site for Self-Care For Creatives. She’s got a lot of resources available for you to peruse (check out the sidebar!) and she even made a zine on the topic. It’s super inexpensive and you’re going to love it.

Self Care | Uncustomary Art

1. What piece of advice would you give a child about to grow up with the pressures of today’s media and its crushing expectations?

There’s going to be times where you’re going to doubt yourself. You’re going to dislike how you look in the mirror and compare yourself to your peers and celebrities. It’s natural to want to do this, but you have to fight that. You have to train your brain to think positively. Anytime you scrutinize your pores, elbows, or middle toe in your full-length mirror I want you to take a (literal) step back and say three things you like about yourself. As an adolescent, you’re more likely to experience self-doubt, but know that you have so much ahead of you. You’re beautiful, and so is your life.

2. What song puts you in a good mood every time?

“San Francisco” by The Mowgli’s
“Goshen 97” by Strand Of Oaks
“Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
“Summer Sun” by Jukebox The Ghost
“Escape Me” by DJ Tiesto
“Sounds Like Hallelujah” by The Head And The Heart
“At The Bottom Of Everything” by Bright Eyes
“21 And Invincible” by Something Corporate
“If Work Permits” by The Format

3. What is the best advice someone gave you or you realized about life?

I’ve been thinking really hard about this, and I don’t know that I’ve had one person say one thing to me that kind of changed the way I think about life. I’ve had a collection of experiences and relationships with people that have taught me a lot of things including these two lessons:

Firstly, everyone deserves love and freedom. You have to let people live their life the way they want, even if you don’t agree with it. You’re welcome to surround yourself with like-minded people, but you can’t spend your energy hating others. This goes for things like extroverted vs. introverted tendencies, sexual orientation, and political beliefs. Don’t discriminate against others.

Secondly, life is beautiful, and you have to have fun any way you know how. Go big or stay home.

[People that have contributed to these realizations include Louis CK, April Fowler Gomez, Katie Sokoler, LaShandra Oliver, Jaclyn Lockhart, and April Noga.]

Self Care | Uncustomary Art
love yourself, even if you have stains on your shirt

4. Who makes you giggle like a giggle monster?

Ashley, Cristen, Joe. Cooter.

5. What is something about society that bugs you that you wish didn’t?

The first thing that came to mind was sexism; I hate how women are secondary. The thing is that I’m obviously experiencing this directly, so it seems unfair for this to be the thing I complain about when there are “worse” things like poverty, war, and racism. Really any type of “ism” makes me angry, and I wish they didn’t exist. It doesn’t “bug” me that it bothers me, because I think we should all be angry about it.

6. What is one of your favorite things to do on the weekends?

Weekends range in activities and intensity. There are some weekends I go out to dinner with a group of friends and get drinks after. I might end up dancing on top of a bar and staying up till 6 am. There are some weekends I spend with myself, driving around looking for weird things and doing guerrilla art installations. And there are some weekends I snuggle with Joe under the covers and watch shitty TV. They’re all my favorite. I don’t do things I don’t like.

7. What is something you’re really proud of that you’ve done?

I’m extremely proud of myself for addressing my mental health issues head on. I’ve developed enough coping skills to go from the highest dose of four different medications to the lowest dose of just two, and I’m still weening off as we speak. It’s a very difficult journey, which is why I’m so proud of this accomplishment.

Self Care | Uncustomary Art
self love bible

8. What is one of your favorite memories with a friend?

I really loved the time that Ashley and I held a talk show in her living room for two hours, with no recording devices or audience. It was just for us.

9. What advice would you give to someone who needs a boost in confidence?

Hang out with people who are supportive, encouraging, and confident in themselves. A group of self-conscious pessimists is going to perpetuate negativity all day, every day. But you can’t rely on external forces for all of your confidence. You have to work on yourself, you have to love yourself first.

10. Lastly, how do you plan on investing in self-love?

Part of my self-love is writing in my happy journal, which reminds me how wonderful my life is. Other parts include wearing clothes that make me smile (regardless of what other people think of them), making time for myself, and doing amazing things with my circumstances. I want to take advantage of everything I can.

Don’t forget to check out Michelle’s Self-Care For Creatives site!

I tag Michelle, Marielle, and Bianca, and anyone else who wants to join in.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle