What's Helping This Week

Mostly a nice note from a reader on 'craftivism,' and a few links ...

Author

Sandy Allen
February 07, 2026

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth — written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hey folks,

I wanted to share this nice note a reader had sent in, after my latest …

'the things that are happening, no one could have seen coming'

Nice Stuff #13

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/the-things-that-are-happening-no-one-could-have-seen-coming

Subject line: “What's helping this week".

“Thanks for the latest post on what's helping. I don't always have the bandwidth to read one more thing, but I’m glad I opened yours. The tidbits of good news help! But for me, personally I've been leaning into some craftivism. I'm a fiber art person and so I've been making the red hats for friends and family …”

A red hat, inspired by a symbol of resistance to Nazi occupation, gains traction in Minnesota

A Minneapolis knitting shop has resurrected the design of a Norwegian cap worn to protest Nazi occupation. Its owner says the money raised from hat pattern sales will support the local immigrant community.

www.npr.org/2026/01/31/nx-s1-5693767/red-hat-protest-minnesota

“As you might imagine, the yarn shops have less red yarn than they did a month ago, so I've been working on going through my undyed wool and spinning up skeins for my friend to dye so we can keep making hats once we run out of red from our stashes and the yarn store is still out. <3”

During our subsequent exchange she said a bit more about her circumstances, adding: “We all need to play to our strengths, right? Thank you for being a helper. Your work is so important.”

Thank you to this reader. If anyone else wants to write in to answer: What’s helping today? Hearing these responses really does brighten my own week.

Will keep this one short; just gonna share a few links.

Recommended reading:

When the Headlines Change but the Violence Doesn’t

“This is not a cruel novelty project. It’s infrastructure, designed for permanence and expansion.”

organizingmythoughts.org/when-the-headlines-change-but-the-violence-doesnt/?ref=organizingmythoughts-newsletter

I thought this was an insightful and frank discussion …

How to Stay Sane and Useful In Chaos

Podcast Episode · We Can Do Hard Things · 02/03/2026 · 45m

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-stay-sane-and-useful-in-chaos/id1564530722?i=1000747878079

Shifting tones … What a magical interview:

A year ago, I published this post, which I sense remains one of the most widely circulated that I’ve done. Alas, it remains evergreen. Re-sharing it therefore for those newer subscribers who maybe haven’t read it:

To Cis People Who Feel Despair

I get it! Some thoughts.

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/to-cis-people-who-feel-despair

You’re encouraged to share it wherever you share things …

Here’s another companion post I wrote, for trans folks …

To Trans People Who Feel Despair

you are not alone ... 🏳️‍⚧️💕 

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/to-trans-people-who-feel-despair

Wanted to link these ones in case:

"Self Care Isn't Selfish"

Advice to caregivers in particular

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/self-care-isn-t-selfish

My Best Advice for the *Worst* Days

"for when the pain's above a 6"

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/my-best-advice-for-the-worst-days

Befriending the Hulk Inside (REPOST!)

Because I'm tired of linking to the old place ...

whats-helping-today.beehiiv.com/p/befriending-the-hulk-inside-repost

Sending love,
Sandy

Thanks for reading What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me — author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you were forwarded this message, What’s Helping Today remains totally free; you can subscribe here.

If you like my work and want it to keep going: Please consider supporting me via my Buy Me a Coffee. Your help is greatly appreciated!