journal they could find.
Vanessa, that sounds odd.
Hear me out.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is something small that will nurture your soul.
Give yourself something beautiful to focus on. In a world that feels chaotic, overwhelming, even war-torn—surviving is learning how to vibe.
And you vibe by writing or singing or thinking or journaling.
Let me have a few minutes. Let’s vibe together.
We are on the verge of something—call it world war three, call it chaos, call it the moment before everything shifts.
In the middle of it all—TSA lines wrap around terminals, travel anxiety hums the background, people are forced to work with no pay. I could go on about how every headline is filled with hostilities. They escalate hourly.
I’ve made the practical decision to vibe, to be above the moment rather than in it.
Vanessa, what does that mean?
I’m stocking up on the essentials:
Water.
Toiletries.
And goodwill.
Since the world feels unstable, the least I can do is stabilize my corner of it.
But how do you reset when gas prices feel like they’re climbing without end? When groceries—something as basic as beef—begins being priced like silver?
When the weather can’t decide what season it belongs to, and you’re running both the heat and the air conditioning in the same week? You give up. Nothing, absolutely nothing is under our control.
I’m not telling you anything new. But I am sharing with you my survival rules 101:
First, protect your peace. The crazy train’s not stopping. There’s no switch we can flip to slow things down. It has to run it’s course and teach hard, painful lessons.
And it’s so difficult when the people we love—especially those in uniform—will be called into harm’s way.
So what do we do?
This weekend, I found part of the answer.
I joined the Tanya Time Book Club and met a room filled with readers and vibed with food, fashion, friendships and books.
These readers were engaged, joyful, present.
Beautiful women. Supportive, diligent men.
These were people who chose, intentionally, to gather.
This was nourishment, to be with bookish people.
I saw laughter, felt the collective breath release and reveled in this moment: we are safe. We are together.
The vibe struck me:
We need this. All of us.
I’m tired of watching chaos. Tired of those who thrive on fear winning. I’m deeply disappointed in those who profit from division.
But as I said, there’s no stopping the crazy train. Our leadership has lied and failed us.
So yes—we have to buckle up.
Crazy has the keys and we’re in the back of station wagon.
Back to those practical steps:
Stay hydrated.
Stock up—little by little on essentials:
Water. Staples. Medicines. These things disappear first when systems get strained.
And then—just as importantly—feed your mind.
Escape, escape into a book.
Because stories are more than entertainment.
They are a refuge. They are resistance. They are hope.
If you crave manageable chaos with a side of humor—let me offer you A Deal at Dawn, releasing June 30, 2026.
This is Katherine Wilcox, Lady Hampton’s story.
This stubborn woman has spent her life believing that secrecy equals safety.
It’s not. It’s betrayal.
This story is packed with a secret baby, hurt-comfort, and herbs.
And my dear girl is ready to walk over hot coals to make things right.
And opposite her—Jahleel Charles, the Duke of Torrance.
The master chess player is a man shaped by legacy—a Black Russian princess for a mother, an English duke for a father—and now faces a crisis that could take everything from him.
His health.
His independence.
His future. His one chance to be a father.
So the question becomes:
What does forgiveness look like when trust has been shattered?
What does redemption cost?
And what happens when the child—once hidden—has grown old enough to understand that she’s been lied to all her life?
Will Katherine make amends?
Or will she give up? Or will time run out?
Yes, we need more escape. I still do suggest to picking up Fire, Sword, and Sea. These pirates fight back. We can learn something.
So let me leave you with this.
Please take time to care for yourself.
If you need to disconnect from the noise—do it.
If the news feels like too much—step away.
Find voices you trust. Platforms that inform without overwhelming.
Guard your home front.
Prepare wisely.
And don’t underestimate the power of small joys.
Watch something that makes you laugh.
Call someone who reminds you who you are.
Go hang with a book club.
And above everything, read.
Let a story carry you somewhere safe and full of laughs even if it’s just for a while.
And be prayerful.
Pray for leadership with backbone.
Pray for those called into service.
Pray for wisdom and mercy and endurance.
Pray for creators.
Creators keep creating.
We need you.
We need the stories written.
Art painted.
Words spoken, rhymed, sung, or acted.
In times like these, art is not a luxury.
It’s vibe to survival.
This week’s book list includes:
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Secret societies, grief, legacy, power. Feels like stepping into a world where truth fights back.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
Soft, warm, affirming Black love story. A gentle reset kind of read.
And a little nonfiction vibe:
Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
Think of rest as rebellion.
Consider purchasing these books plus Fire Sword and Sea or preorder A Deal at Dawn from Baldwin Books or from one of my partners in the fight, bookstores large and small, who are hanging with me.
Please keep spreading the word. Fire Sword and Sea is the vicarious adventure you didn’t know you needed and a guide to resistance, not exactly rest.
You can find my notes on Substack or on my website, VanessaRiley.com, under the podcast link in the About tab.
Enjoying these essays? Go ahead and like this episode, share, and subscribe to Write of Passage so you never miss a moment.” It’s time to getting ready to write the next book, I’d love to take you behind the scenes and maybe you’ll write one too. Keep listening.
Thank you for listening. I want you to come again. This is Vanessa Riley.
Conyers, GA and Detroit, Michigan – Both Cities are on my April tour schedule. If you live near, I want to see you. Check my website for updates.
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