Thursday Murmurings
Simone Biles, old age badassery, drowning & more
Happy Thursday, ya beauties!
This week, I’m kicking it off by lifting up Simone Biles and heaping all the praise upon her. She made the decision withdraw from the Tokyo olympics citing mental health concerns. I am so very here for people prioritising this, for knowing their limits, for normalising it.
Simone Biles, who is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best gymnast in history (this is indisputable). Simone Biles who is so insanely good that judges don’t even know how to score her. Simone Biles, who gymnastic officials tried to deter from doing certain moves because it’d give her an unfair advantage, because she’s that good. Simone Biles, winner of all the things, with more talent in her pinky toe than the vast majority of humans, having to field criticism from mostly grown white men, who couldn’t compete at an international level in farting, about her decision to withdraw.
Hold your head high, Queen. We salute you, we honour you, we are in awe of you flying through the air. Olympics or no Olympics, you are the best to ever do it. Period. Point blank.
If you’re a fan of things from ye olden times, you’ll love this. Between 1899 - 1962, this lady documented life in her small town in Wyoming. There are over 24,000 negatives which ‘might be the largest photographic record of this era and region in existence.
If you need a little inspiration today, this woman started lifting weights at 71 and is an absolute badass.
This is a pretty essential read for everyone. Drowning does not look like it does on TV - learn the signs and be aware.
“Cutting loose from something that is weighing you down is its own kind of victory.” - a musing on quitting.
In Monday’s paid edition of the newsletter, I’m talking about giving ourselves time, patience and grace in all things.
“I don’t know how or when or why we started thinking this way, but the pressure to always be great, always have everything figured out, bounce back and recover from bad situations, adapt to new ones with ease, can feel like a ten ton weight. We don’t want to be the beginner, we don’t want to admit we don’t know something, imposter syndrome runs rife. Where is the breaking point? When will we allow ourselves the time, patience and grace needed to figure things out and do them the right way?”
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This week Biggie would like to remind you to rest when you need to. You work hard, you deserve it. Lie down in the middle of a rug if you need to, damnit. Be unapologetic in taking time for yourself.
Until next week, smile at strangers, spread good vibes, be nice to people.