2020: New decade, same intentions (but also, the world is on fire)?

I honestly don’t even know how to start this post.

I can’t say “Happy New Year,” anymore, because it’s mid-March at this point, and I could say “Happy New Decade,” because, it’s the start of a new decade- but we’re also in very stressful times— so I dno if the word ‘happy’ quite portrays the overall feeling of the present.

I don’t know about y’all, but I spent a lot of those last weeks of 2019 reminiscing over the last 10 years, which were some pretty developmental times in my young adulthood. I graduated college in 2010, moved back home to my parents’ house because I couldn’t land a job (thanks to the 2008 recession), and was living a young 20-something, mediocre suburban life (that was very unsatisfactory).

But hey! Had none of that happened, ‘The Kris Bliss’ never would’ve come into fruition, and as I reflect back, it was all apart of Universe’s plan for my life!

I also think about music in 2010 and beyond- some very questionable songs- a lot of party anthems — A LOT lol.

I’m not gonna lie, and say I didn’t enjoy them (though they got old quickly). I was out at these basic sports bars/’wannabe’ clubs in suburban Pennsylvania with my friends, drinking Long Island Iced Teas and vodka cranberries (#basic), but then there were albums like Frank Ocean’s “Nostalgia Ultra’ that just hit DIFFERENT. “Watch the Throne,” another cultural work of art… Solange’s "Seat at the Table” and Kendrick’s “To Pimp a Butterfly…” There were so many intentional works (I can’t list all of them), that really influenced and inspired me during the 2010’s, and I am very grateful for them!

Photo by Kivvi Roberts

Skipping forward to the present, I’m literally just trying to hold on. The news has been absolutely overwhelming at times, from worldly traumatic events, with not having enough time to emotionally process before something else negatively impacts happens… To the fear and hysteria all around us, as we all try to figure out the best methods to take, regarding the current pandemic we’re in, re. Coronavirus (aka #theRona).

Photo by Kivvi Roberts

I recently spoke to my friend Alex Elle on her awesome podcast Hey Girl about my journey in music, how I’ve used it for healing, and spoke a bit about my wellness journey.

I believe it is because of that wellness journey (which I will go into detail in another blog post), which has helped tremendously with boosting my mental and cognitive function. It has also kept me focused on taking great care of myself in these uncontrollable times.

photo by Kivvi Roberts

So, although we’re living in a time of uncertainty and panic, I pray that you do your best not to fall into that spiral of reaction.

This pandemic is very trying for us economically, emotionally, and even physically, because we can’t move and shake as we’re used to. This is the time that I am checking in on my family & loved ones, FT-ing folks that I’ve been meaning to catch up with, allowing myself to find calm by sitting still, and continuing to do things that make me happy, like cooking for myself, getting fresh air and vitamin D, and working out my body- whether it be at home, or my gym (that’s still open)! I refuse to let this arrest me in my house, fueling anxiety and nervousness, and I urge you to do the same, whatever that looks like for you.

We WILL get through this, even though we can’t see where the end lies, but let’s tap into our humanity during this time, recognize that we all want to do our part to keep our families and communities safe, and work together to do our best by washing our hands often, and keeping our hands off our face. Check in on the elders, say your prayers, drink your water, and calm it on down.

Sending love and light (always),

Kris