Soft Heart Studio Blog

How often do we think this after some sort of tragedy or widespread social issue? Without a clear path forward, many people’s desire to get involved falls by the wayside. Here are a few ways you can quickly find a good way to plug in and support mutual aid near you, before other things in life distract you.

I first picked up How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell because I was drawn to the floral cover. But then I couldn't put it down as it explored how to r...

If you're looking for a primer into the history of prisons as they currently exist in the US, and the way they are inextricably tied to racist, classist, sexist ideals, look no further. Angela Davis' Are Prisons Obsolete? walks us from the beginning of the penitentiary and follows through

If we want to make the world a better place, we must do work within, but also look at the work that must be done in society at large. The Red Deal: Indigenous Action to Save Our Earth by the Red Nation lays out a plan for how we could work together to combat climate change from an anti-imperialist perspective, bringing Indigenous wisdom to our global problems. 

It’s easy to think that if we don’t do something, no one will. But we have to let other people take our place when we need to step back. This also strengthens our organizations, because we understand where we need more support, instead of thinking we can do it all on our own. It also helps us create more reasonable expectations for ourselves and others, which will draw more people into the world.

We are not machines. I know you know this, but it bears repeating. We’re bombarded with messages about how to be more productive, do more with les...

If you’ve ever asked yourself “What is mutual aid?” or “How do I get involved with mutual aid?” this month’s book club book is the perfect place to start. Mutual Aid by Dean Spade not only introduces what mutual aid is, but walks you through how to show up in and engage with mutual aid organizations. This short book will be helpful both to people newly showing up to movements and more experienced community organizers looking to improve their mutual aid organization’s effectiveness and impact. This will become a reference book you keep returning to over time.

A regular journaling practice can be an incredible tool as we work to transform ourselves and transform the world. If you're not sure how to get st...

We know daily journaling can be helpful, but actually creating the habit and the practice can be difficult. Should we do morning pages? How long do we need to write? Does it have to be written at all? Sometimes we get all wrapped up in our heads about it before we even start. 

The answer to all of these questions is: do what works for you. It's as simple, and as difficult, as that. By cultivating a daily journaling practice, we can better connect with ourselves and each other, so we can create the world we want to live in. 

So here are three ways to help set up a daily journaling practice that works for You.

Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown took my breathe away and had me shouting at the page "yes, yes" repeatedly. It's part guidebook for orga...

Decks of cards have long been used not only for games but for things like fortune telling, divination, and self exploration. Human beings are shar...

If you've been struggling too with wanting to do more, be more, make more, and realizing that you're tired, stressed, and overworked, I recommend these books to you to help you change your mindset, avoid burnout, reframe your focus, and ultimately find your balance between rest and work. Instead of rise and grind, consider anti-productivity and pro-rest to give yourself the rest you deserve. You can't serve your community if you're burned out, so self care is community care, and we need to restructure our work together.