Cate
catenati.bsky.social
Cate
@catenati.bsky.social
Writer, Learner, Thinker, Holder of Several LGBTQIA+ Letters

Author of the Akken Chronicles under pen name Cy Tidd, available on Kindle, paperback, and audiobook.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089H19VPV
Just followed because it's my community, too!
February 17, 2025 at 6:23 PM
22/ In summary, I prioritize self-care, defend against incoming bad energy, prioritize good energy outputs, and help my inner light shine.

I aim to lead with love and have gratitude in all things.

Calm is practically a side effect.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
21/ Uphold the Four Agreements

I’m in alignment with Toltec philosophy.

- “Be impeccable with your word”
- “Don’t take anything personally”
- “Don’t make assumptions”
- “Always do your best”

I’m not always successful at upholding these, but the days where I do tend to be really good days.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
20/ I do believe that everybody’s got a star inside of them.

Find it and let it blaze.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
19/ Output 3: Burn like a beacon

It’s taken me years to peel away the walls blocking my actual inner self, walls that society imposed without my knowledge or permission. It's like I’ve uncovered the equivalent of an inexhaustible star inside of me, and now it’s blazing in all directions.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
18/ Output 2: Create something and share it.

For me, it’s writing. I also bake a lot. My local friends are routinely getting fresh sourdough loaves.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
17/ Curate Outputs

Output 1: Think local.

My found family gets the most of my attention. Then my community, my town, my state, my country, the globe - in that order.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
16/ Input 3: Barricade against emotional vampires

Anyone who consistently drains me without any benefit does not get to be in my life. Consistently is the key word here; everybody is going to drain me sometimes, it’s the ones who can’t self-regulate who get ever-lengthening friendship timeouts.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
15/ - The Contrarian. Started by Jen Rubin (she recently left the Washington Post) and Norm Eisen
- The Big Picture. 30,000 feet analysis of events. George Takei is involved.
- ProPublica. Independent investigative journalism.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
14/ I recommend:
- Heather Cox Richardson. An excellent historian and writer who blends history and current events without histrionics.
- The Bulwark. Expanding independent journalism outlet. Lots of good content.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
13/ I instead subscribe to independent reporting organizations, many run by journalists who left the legacy media outlets because those organizations no longer represent professional journalism.

I have an email folder for all these posts. Once a day, I scan headlines and read if I have bandwidth.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
12/ Input 2: Only consume high-quality information.

Mainstream media outlets are no longer high-quality. They gave up on objectivity and good judgement a long time ago.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
11/ My social feeds (the ones I allow) are wall-to-wall politics and outrage and I limit looking at them to 1x/2x per day tops.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
10/ Manage Inputs

Input 1: Limit media exposure.

I do not read or watch the news if I can help it. If it’s really important, someone will tell me. It’s all kayfabe and I maintain higher standards for my entertainment.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
9/ Our brains are idea and story generators, and we rationalize everything.

If I have an unproductive thought or emotion, I thank my brain, put that thought into a mental balloon, and then release that balloon to the universe and let it go.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
8/ Need 4: Understand what I can actually control, which is how I respond to something.

That’s it. That’s all any of us can control. Our response.

We can’t even control what we think or feel - our thoughts and emotions bubble up unbidden. We can either do something with them or let them go.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
7/ Need 3: Carve out time for mental rest.

Some examples:
- Look at nature as often as possible.
- Get outside and stand in the sun for a couple of minutes.
- Whenever I speak about someone or something important to me, mention how grateful I am for them.
- Close my eyes and let my mind drift.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
6/ Need 2: Eat healthy & exercise

I try to watch what I put in my body and how often I’m moving.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
5/ Meet My Needs

Need 1: Sleep as much as my body requires.

I can’t do this all the time, but I arrange my schedule around rest.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
4/ The Cate Tidd Calm Strategy at a high level:

- Meet My Needs
- Manage Inputs
- Curate Outputs
- Follow the Four Agreements
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
3/ US politics and the media have become kayfabe and many Americans have traded civic engagement for this 24/7 polarizing entertainment.

We’re going to find out over the next few years if Americans really want a balanced government.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM