Microcosm’s Election Survival Guide
It’s a jungle out there, folks! The cosmic weather has been uniquely disruptive these past few months and it looks like the universe isn’t taking its foot off the gas til after the votes are cast and tallied. So now’s as good a time as any: take a deep breath, unclench your jaw, lie on the floor if you need to—then dig into this selection of stuff we’ve picked out to help you support your nervous system, feel your feelings, and get through yet another election cycle together. Shop the full list (with more stickers and pins and decks) or read on for a sampling below!
How to Be Wrong by Nicole Gulatz and Jason Ludtke
Being wrong—and realizing it, admitting it, making amends, and learning and moving on—is one of the most difficult life skills out there. Childhood friends Nicole and Jason reunited as adults and teamed up to produce this neatly illustrated, interactive zine that walks you through what it means to be wrong, what to do when you are wrong, and how to help others be wrong too. Got a group of friends, a book club, or a few local politicians you think could use the zine? We have bundles now!
Unfuck Your Anxiety Workbook: Using Science to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Dr. Faith G. Harper
Anxiety can control your life with a tight grip. Get yourself free with these exercises and worksheets designed to help you identify, manage, and ultimately calm your anxiety, be it stress that ebbs and flows or constant, chronic panic. Work through this book either by itself or as a companion to Dr. Faith G. Harper’s bestselling Unfuck Your Anxiety to learn basic tools for surviving moments of panic as well as longer-term problem solving.
Sometimes anxiety gets us in the zone of reading about it when we could be being about it, you know? So check out the book-book, but the workbook might be an extra good fit for our needs these days. —DF
Next-Level Ally: How to Support Your Queer and Transgender Friends by Eli Sachse
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough to support the queer and trans communities, this zine is a great way to learn how to do more. Be a supportive advocate and speak up, even when it’s hard, learn how not to overstep, and de-gender your day-to-day language.
Get Your Laws Off My Uterus — Superpack featuring various authors
Ever since reproductive choice was legalized in the US in 1973, factions have been trying to strip the right to safe, legal abortions by any means necessary. Fuck that noise. Read up with these zines and books both about organizing and finding abortion access, and learning the medical procedures so we can make informed choices about what to do with our own bodies. And, of course, taking care of ourselves and each other. This wraparound sleeve holds two books and five zines.
Unfuck Your Anger Workbook: Using Science to Manage Frustration, Rage, and Forgiveness by Dr. Faith G. Harper
If you feel irritable all the time, or if your rage is getting the best of you, take a deep breath and open this book. A standalone companion to Unfuck Your Anger by the inimitable Dr. Faith, this workbook is packed with helpful exercises, worksheets, and opportunities for reflection. In these pages, you’ll learn practical skills like meditation, communication, and breathing, and you’ll find a special model for understanding and embracing forgiveness in order to heal old wounds. Let your pent-up frustration go and turn your righteous anger into healthy, helpful fuel for treating yourself and others well, seeking justice, and living the life you want.
Monthly Manifestation Manual: A 31-Day Guided Journal to Create Your Best Life by Kelly Cree and Jessica Mullen (School of Life Design)
Spend a month manifesting your greatest desires and potential. This planner and workbook gives you 31 days’ worth of exercises for rewiring your brain to create new patterns of thoughts and actualizing your intentions and dreams. Perfect for when you’re stuck at work or in love, out of touch with your emotions, angry, anxious, afraid, or depressed, or feel like you’re hurtling down the wrong path in life too fast. Jessica Mullen and Kelly Cree’s dreamy designs and potent exercises are tested and true methods for getting yourself back on the path to living the life you want.
How Not To Get Arrested At a Demonstration by Bill DiPaola, illustrated by fly
Remember that ‘Oh shit’ moment you had at your first protest? Or maybe you’ve been avoiding the news and your social feed; you want to get out there and be involved but you don’t even know where to start with the shit-show of our current state of affairs. How Not to Get Arrested is a zine full of illustrations, checklists, and thoroughly researched survival tips for the beginner demonstrator and the seasoned activist.
Unfuck Your Stress: Using Science to Cope with Distress and Embrace Excitement by Dr. Faith G. Harper
Stressed? Hell yeah, you are. Dr. Faith is here to help. This book offers strategies for coping with intense feelings and overwhelm in the moment and for shifting distress into helpful motivation, excitement, and action. Dr. Faith also walks us through understanding our physiological stress response (not inherently a bad thing!) and what happens when it turns into chronic stress and adrenal fatigue. Full of practical advice for understanding and managing your own stress response so that you can find solid ground and feel excited and engaged with your life again.