something my mum always taught us was to look for the resources we're entitled to, and use them. public land? know your access rights and responsibilities, go there and exercise them. libraries? go there and talk to librarians and read community notice boards, find out what other people are doing around you, ask questions, use the printers. public records offices? go in there, learn what they hold and what you can access, look at old maps, get your full birth certificate copied, check out the census from your neighbourhood a hundred years ago. are you entitled to social support? find out, take it, use it. does the local art college have facilities open to the public? go in, look around, check out their exhibit on ancient looms or whatever, shop in their campus art supply store. it applies online too, there is so much shit in the world that belongs to the public commons that you can access and use if you just take a minute to wonder what might exist!!!
hey if you live in the usa i am on my knees begging you to go to benefits.gov and take their quiz to see if you qualify for literally any government benefits at all. the income requirements for some stuff (i.e. SNAP) are actually not quite as low as one might think! the quiz is really straightforward and only took me around 5 minutes to complete. i do recommend a computer over a phone but it works ok on mobile too. it will share so many great resources for you and will show you things even if you only technically meet one eligibility requirement.
