Pronouns, Orientations, and Identities
by Joey Phoenix (They/Them) Originally Published June 2020. Editorial Note: I will not be using the LGBTQIA+ acronym in this article because I personally find it outdated, specifically because the T, which stands for transgender, and the I, which stands for Intersex, are gender identities whereas the rest are orientations – which is just confusing. Instead, I will group the
It’s Ok, Sit Down for a Moment
By Joey Phoenix Do you feel like you’ve been going and going without stopping? Does it seem like since the summer you’ve been in an all out sprint and now suddenly the end of the year almost upon us and you haven’t felt able to take a moment to just be? This is me giving you permission to take a
The Sacred No
by Joey PhoenixOriginally Read on Creative North Shore’s “Reasonably Well,” – Hosted by Kati Nalbandian Disclaimer: My heart goes out to all essential workers and parents who consistently choose to put their needs on hold for the sake of their families and the health and safety of the community. I hope that mindfulness and self-kindness is possible for you in
How Can I Help?
By Joey Phoenix My friend made a post last week that changed my perspective. He asked “When people ask you ‘Is there anything I can do to help,’ like when you’re feeling down – what are some responses? Can someone provide a link to the menu?” Being one of the ones recently who has been doing a lot of the
What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything
by Joey Phoenix As I writer I know I’m supposed to be writing things and yet I’ve recently found myself unable to do much of that. I’ve spent more time spacing out and compiling long lists than actually saying anything I actually feel. “But Joey, you wrote this,” you might be thinking. Well yes, but I felt like I had
This Just In: Human Touch Has Been Canceled*
by Joey PhoenixDisclaimer: Grief comes in many stages, acceptance is only one of them. Wait. Check your phone. Anything new? Virtual. Screen to Screen. Is this the new normal? I’m an extrovert. I spend my life seeking out people to talk to, connect with, understand. If I were surrounded by humans for a week straight with little to no privacy,
COVID-19 Financial Survival Guide – How to Take Care of Yourself, How to Support Each Other
Artists Here’s Why Your Vote Matters
by Joey Phoenix Artists, your voice matters, and I’m not just talking about your artistic voice. I’m talking about your political voice, your community voice, your public voice. It may seem obvious, but one of the ways to use your voice is to vote. I know you’re all very shocked by this. The Massachusetts’ Primary Election is coming up in
When Your Art Changes, It Changes You
by Joey Phoenix Let’s talk for a moment about the crippling self-doubt that is your constant shadow as an artist, how it keeps you from taking risks and growing, how it tells you that your art will never be enough.* Over the past few years my art focus has shifted several times, and each time my identity was wrapped up
Arts Matter: Writing, Community, and Making Healthy Choices
by Joey Phoenix The first time I put words to paper for the sake of expression I was 11. It was my freshman year of high school (you read that right) and my English teacher gave us an assignment. The poem was called “Name” and it was about emptiness. It wasn’t a good poem, but it was the first time
