What’s good family?

It’s day fiftyelehm of self-quarantine, and we miss you. Sending you and yours love, light, and wishing you good health. Continue reading for a check-in from the team behind @TheCultureLP.

From left to right: Saidah Belo-Osagie (Social Media), Stephanie Derrick (Programs), Gynai Kristol (Content), and Cierra Britton (Curatorial), and Michael Tonge (Co-Founder).

So it’s been a few weeks since the Rona outbreak and we’ve had to adjust to staying home. How are y’all feeling overall, how is your spirit?

• “I’m not going to hold you, everyday has been a struggle. Some days are brighter than others, and luckily being in California provides me an opportunity to enjoy nature in a way that would be impossible if I was still home in Brooklyn. Also, shout out to the mindfulness and journaling practice I’ve developed over the past few years because it is getting me through the emotional waves that each day brings. Money has definitely slowed up in unexpected ways, but I’m remaining positive and trying my best to keep an abundance mindset.” - Mikey

• “As the news updates change by the minute, it's felt like I'm holding my breath underwater and waiting for a signal to come back up again for air. Amid the chaos, I have been so grateful for having a safe space to live in and access to resources that can alleviate my anxieties.” - Saidah

• “My Caribbean mother would always share words of wisdom with me since, forever. One that comes to mind as I prepped for self-isolation is prevention is better than cure. I have taken that approach since my quarantine began 6 weeks ago.” - Steph

• “I’m taking this social distancing/quarantine situation and using it as a time to focus on myself. Focus on what/who I should be saying yes to and/or giving my energy to. Asking myself if the things I was doing and investing in prior to this are still worth my time and energy? And a lot of the answers to that have been no. For me, this has become a time to become the best version of myself, physically and, most importantly, internally.” - Gynai

• “My mood is very up and down at the moment depending on the weather. I'm an earth sign, so that was already the case but quarantine has definitely amplified this notion for me. I'm feeling my best when the sun is out and its warm enough to sit outside in a tank top to feel the sun shining on my skin and to be able to breathe fresh air. My spirit feels anxiety and is leaning on my faith so it is a constant battle between panic and belief that things will work out.” - Cierra

How has this pandemic affected you personally, and what are some things you’re doing to stay grounded and in community with others?

• “I have been exploring the idea of self-care in a lot of ways. I’ve been reading “You are a Badass at Making Money” and “Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self”, which was recommended to me a few weeks before coronavirus became this silent enemy. Both books have been eye opening and challenge me to reshape my idea of self and what it takes to be successful. I’m grateful to reflect and define what I want my life to look like on the other side of this pandemic. I have kept in touch with my closest friends, but most of my time is invested in me. I understand that is a privilege and it’s not something that I take for granted. I’m grateful for every experience that brought me to where I am today.” - Steph

• “This pandemic has directly affected me in a few ways. I just started working for myself full-time and was doing pretty well at the beginning of the year, but I am now faced with a substantial loss of private clients. Outside of work, I've also seen people close to me lose family members and loved ones due to COVID-19 so the atmosphere has generally been heavy… To keep my spirits up I'm getting on video chat with my best friends almost every day and spending a lot of time outside. I'm currently in Maryland with my parents, so I'm able to go outside and sit in the grass whenever I want which has done wonders for my mental health. I've been going outside to workout with my dad on every warm day, taking aimless drives, and drinking lots of hot liquids to keep myself grounded and afloat.” - Cierra

• “I’ve been working out a lot using the Peloton app (shoutout to the 60-day free trial) which includes strength and cardio classes as well as yoga and meditation. Sun salutations and HIIT classes have been especially helpful in starting my day on a high note. I’ve also been trying new recipes, dancing, going on long & mindless walks, put on makeup, binge watching reality television, and am currently trying to live in the moment as much as possible.” - Saidah

• “For me, I’ve actually become grateful for this forced time of pausing. Journaling, meditation, therapy (thank the Lordt for Skype sessions) and working out (shout out to my trainer Abel, the Nike app and the House of Zeus IG live classes) have been my saving grace and have given me my calm and mental strength during this wild time. Oh and then I also learned how to put on eyelashes which was a hilarious and entertaining moment for myself and my friends. So I’m definitely grateful that I’m still able to laugh and find joy in the small things.” - Gynai

• “This down time has really allowed me to refine my morning routine, and slow things down overall. Myself and several friends celebrated their 30th birthdays during the quarantine, and even though nothing replaces in-person links, zoom calls and FaceTime has helped me still feel connected to my people. I also came across a dope YouTube channel for yoga called Return to Kemet which has become a part of that morning routine. I’m also excited to be doing more art, painting, etc.” - Mikey

What has been something you’re unexpectedly grateful for during this time?

• “I'm unexpectedly grateful for candles, hot showers, and music more than ever right now. Its become a ritualistic practice every day to pretend that I'm luxuriating in a spa club somewhere and has rinsed certain energies off of me. I'm also extremely grateful to be able to take a shower and take off any bacteria that might be on my skin - as it is a huge privilege in general but especially right now. The candles and music are the cherry on top of that and help me to meditate and bring myself back into a sacred mental space.” - Cierra

• “I’m really grateful for this chance to pursue the creative projects I’ve been meaning to get to without putting too much pressure on myself to hit certain deadlines.” - Saidah

• “I’m grateful for my health and for space. Specifically, Yoga to the People, they are one of my favorite yoga studios in the city [New York]. They offer classes 5x a day! Every weekend I make fresh juice to keep my immune system healthy. I juice beets, ginger, lemon, kale and/or spinach, apples and carrots. It’s a great way to increase vegetable intake! The space and time is important because, I know that if I dedicate excessive time to research and reading into the reality of this pandemic it will be easy for me to feel anxious and have a lack of motivation. I have experienced depression during my time of previous unemployment. With that being said, I am extremely self-aware, so I have been giving myself permission to express myself more openly with friends, family and myself.” - Steph

• “I’m grateful for netflix, my amazing team, loved ones, and really for my health. This virus is no joke. In the moments I’m down on myself for not feeling productive, or wishing I was able to make things ‘normal again’ I have to pause and remember that I have my health, shelter, food, clothes, the simple things.” - Mikey