How to die (and other stories)

On April 2, 2024 I sent out a newsletter asking people to send me questions. I promised to answer a question a week. I started this project for a couple of reasons. First off, I like helping people and I figured I could find out what was bugging people and maybe, just maybe, I'd be able to answer some of their questions and help out a little bit. That was the altruistic reason.

The second reason is selfish. By 2024, I hadn't been able to write in years. There were short bursts and false starts here and there, but I hadn't written anything that felt worthwhile, and I was feeling lost. In a funk. And getting depressed about it. I'm a big believer that when you're feeling lost, the best thing to do is to help others. Give yourself purpose. Help those around you, and you will eventually help yourself. So that's what I did. I asked people if they needed help, I attempted to help them, and yeah... I did pull myself out of that funk. Also, having to do it every week helped to develop a habit. The best way to get better at something is to do it a lot.

Nonetheless, the world kept testing our resolve. Everything is shittier now than it was when I started this project. During the run of this project, which-for the record-is ongoing, the US government toppled completely into a fascist state, masked thugs kidnapped our neighbors and shot people in the face at the behest of those same fascists, trans people were attacked by both parties, and we buried a lot of people, including my father.

So what do we do? Well, we keep helping each other. (You'll see this is a recurring theme throughout the book.) Because every time we help someone else, our energy reserves grow along with theirs. And as long as me and you are still here, we have a responsibility to look out for those who need our help. We also have a responsibility to safeguard joy. Joy is the ultimate act of resistance.

I do believe that at some point we will make the world less shitty. It'll be hard. But it'll be worth it.

In the meantime, please keep sending questions, and I will keep attending to answer them.