A Place to Call Our Own
Just a little hello and a how ya doing + where we're going with All Parts in year 2
Hi friend,
How’s your breath? How’s your heart?
I’m sorry it’s been a minute since I’ve written anything significant to you.
As
recently asked her people, I’m also curious to know, did you notice my absence from your inbox?Well, I’ve definitely noticed my absence here, even if you haven’t. And the truth is, I miss connecting in more thoughtful ways with you all. I miss the lightbulb moments when I’m driving or showering that make me think, “oh my god, I have to talk about that on All Parts!!” I miss the excitement of checking my Substack inbox and reading posts from others who inspire me. I miss connecting through notes with other creators and writers.
And also…
I know this is only a phase. I know this is just my body asking me to honor its natural cycles. I know any resistance I’ve felt to honoring my body comes from ideals and beliefs that are not my own. I know that my body needs extra care during times of transition (hello, Spring). I know that the desire to read and research and write cohesive thoughts will return again, in due time. I know that when I step back and observe all the things going on in my life - including opening up a new office in Austin to see in-person clients - I can remember that I actually am doing a lot, and I’m in awe of the work I’ve done to grow my capacity to be able to engage more wholly and fully in my life; the capacity I have to now fully see my visions and goals through.
I feel really proud of this little corner of the internet we’re growing together. A place where we can come as we are. A place where we can explore the woes of the world and our roles in it. A place where we can get curious about our traumas and subsequent patterns and behaviors that our life experiences keep us stuck in. A place where we can dare to practice reconnecting to our Selves. A place where spirituality and science converge. A place where we can rest from capitalistic, patriarchal norms and expectations, if only for a moment. A place where we can fiercely exclaim our boundaries without guilt or shame. A place where we can feel our feelings with love and acceptance.
A place where we can maybe, just maybe, start to live more alive than we ever thought possible.
I might not have anything big or profound to write this week, but I just wanted to check in to see how you all are. What’s been coming up for you lately? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
I’ll meet you there.
Be well,
The just-checking-in part
P.S. There are lots of exciting things on the horizon for us in our little corner of the internet. Read below to learn where All Parts is going in the coming weeks…
All Parts 2.0…launching this week!
This week marks 1 year of this newsletter. I can’t believe it. I’ve been reflecting a lot on where it’s been, how it’s going, and where year 2 will take us.
So here’s the deal.
I recently increased the monthly and yearly subscription prices from $5/month to $20/month. There is a good reason for this, I promise. (For all current paid subscribers, you will be locked into the original price unless you unsubscribe. Hint: I suggest you don’t!).
What will this paid subscription get me?
Automatic access to all past and present 15 day practices (this includes live class links plus recordings…currently 60 video recordings and counting). The recordings for all past and current practices are in the process of being uploaded to All Parts and will be available to paid subscribers to access at anytime.
Automatic access to all live online workshops & recordings. The recordings of these educational and experiential workshops will also live on All Parts for you to access at anytime. I’ll be launching our first 1-hour online workshop in April (stay tuned!).
Access to subscriber-only reflection prompts and discussion threads
Access to all archived posts and recordings library. This library will continue to grow and will offer shorter meditation and breathwork practices, longer ones, mini-courses, and more!
What will a free subscription get me?
If you’re just here for the writing, great! Free subscribers will be able to access each newsletter I send out, ~3 per month
FAQ
If I don’t want to become a paid subscriber but I still want to join the 15 day practice or an online workshop, can I? Yes! Absolutely. There will be an option to sign up for a one-off 15 day practice or workshop if you’d like to. The price of a stand-alone 15 day practice is $60. The price of a stand-alone workshop will be $20.
Any other questions? Ask them in the comments!
A sprinkling of journal prompts & other great reads
In May 2021, I facilitated a zoom breathwork workshop for the alumni association for my alma mater, Middlebury College. There was around 100 alumni who showed up to breathe. I remember speaking bluntly about the inherent trauma that were were enduring through the pandemic; the in fact the very definition of trauma was embedded in the circumstances we lived under for 2+ years. I know we’re over talking about it, but it’s important to know how it is still impacting us today. I recommend reading this piece from The Atlantic: It’s not the Economy. It’s the Pandemic.
Some journal prompts to reflect on:
Where in your life requires a softening? A loosening of the grip? A letting go? How would inviting in more softness support your well-being?
Out of the 6 core emotions (fear, anger, sadness, disgust, joy, excitement, sexual excitement), which emotion is the hardest one for you to feel? What does resistance to feeling that emotion feel/look like for you?
- on the importance of not rushing the attending part of life in her piece “Lit Salon on the epidemic of the shrinking attention span & a simple exercise for writing when you feel like a butterfly in a hurricane” Even if you’re not a writer, there is so much wisdom in what she shares here.
“The Antidote to Depression May not be what you Think” by
“The Unraveling of a Royal Fairytale” by
. If you’re at all interested in the latest Kate Middleton drama, this is a great take on the matter.
My inbox overruneth. I miss crucial emails from even my husband, so when I don’t see someone for a bit, I first wonder if it’s me. But I’ve noticed in general many of the Substack writers I’m subscribed to have fallen off, either not posting as often or at all. For me, after diligently posting twice weekly for a year, it was necessary to take a step back and set a schedule that allowed for more “margin” in my life, a term I’m borrowing from an author I’m currently doing editing work for. This kind of deep creative work can feel more performative than joy otherwise.
Isn't checking in to see who noticed funny?
I think it's great to get this and to hear you've opened an office to see in-person clients is a fantastic reason to skip a few weeks. And now you're adding to the membership here. So much growth from stepping away for a little bit. And thanks for recommending that Atlantic article. I'll read it tonight :-)