I come from a tradition where everybody focused exclusively on family as support systems and community as support systems. Reading this reminded me that a personal support system is actually a thing. Our need for a unique system that supports our unique needs doesn't evaporate when we become part of a family. It's really made me think about what I should include and exclude from my personal support system. I think having this attitude has meant that my personal support system is full of leftovers or whatever is easy and handy. Imagine what my personal nutrition would be like if all I got to eat was leftovers and fast food and microwave popcorn. I'm pretty sure my personal support system needs to be a little more robust and a better fit before it can actually be nourishing for me. Thank you for the insightful ideas!
Thank you so much for offering such deep insights of your own! It is indeed powerful to think about how support is all at once personal, relational, familial, and also structural, on our town/city/state/nation levels, no? We can mend any part of the web, but it takes clarity and courage to know and to name where the mending is needed. And so much strength to actually attempt it. Wishing you the best of luck as you explore this <3
I come from a tradition where everybody focused exclusively on family as support systems and community as support systems. Reading this reminded me that a personal support system is actually a thing. Our need for a unique system that supports our unique needs doesn't evaporate when we become part of a family. It's really made me think about what I should include and exclude from my personal support system. I think having this attitude has meant that my personal support system is full of leftovers or whatever is easy and handy. Imagine what my personal nutrition would be like if all I got to eat was leftovers and fast food and microwave popcorn. I'm pretty sure my personal support system needs to be a little more robust and a better fit before it can actually be nourishing for me. Thank you for the insightful ideas!
Thank you so much for offering such deep insights of your own! It is indeed powerful to think about how support is all at once personal, relational, familial, and also structural, on our town/city/state/nation levels, no? We can mend any part of the web, but it takes clarity and courage to know and to name where the mending is needed. And so much strength to actually attempt it. Wishing you the best of luck as you explore this <3