I know I'm not very interactive on any sort of social media these days, but I do still read and try to keep up. It's always good to read your words!
I do often think of it as becoming myself, and/or a softening. A big part of that process is the re-membering of parts of myself that I tried so hard for so long to amputate. Along with that, I also often think of it as scraping off mud and muck that has been stuck to me for so long that I had come to mistake it for part of my self. And all of this involves finally allowing myself to feel so, so much grief.
As I have continued to go through this process over the years, as so many other things have fallen away, I've landed on these words that feel like they sum everything up:
Make art. Love well.
These have been expansive (and expanding) words for me, and they feel like the summary of the work and the guide pointing me further into becoming myself.
I so deeply respect your social media boundaries these days. I am hoping to cultivate my own retreat from social media soon, at least for a time to decompress.
I love how all of that work to become yourself brought you to four simple words. I see how you could spend a lifetime unpacking them.
I am grateful for you being with me in this space when you can. Never worry about keeping up here. I like to say "I don't write to keep up, I write to keep close." Perhaps that can also apply to your journey as a reader somehow. How can reading be an act that affirms what you are keeping close?
Welcome back ❤️ I’m sorry you’ve dealt with hard times recently, and send you love and continued healing! Idk if I’d call it a homecoming but I am definitely experiencing something. Maybe more like a chrysalis (the break down of body mind and spirit has been 😮💨). I’m still getting to know her but I like this new version of me and she feels the most me I’ve ever felt.
Hello Martina! It is good to be back, though I am taking things at a slower pace than before.
Your process of becoming sounds both beautiful and painful. I often wonder why those two things often go together as they do. Many blessings upon you as you get to know this new version of yourself and wear her proudly. ❤️
Good day rose june, My friend Susan shared your substack with me. I look forward to following and reading with you as I too am a lover of poetry and find it a living breathing art form amd a daily part of my selfcare.
I know I'm not very interactive on any sort of social media these days, but I do still read and try to keep up. It's always good to read your words!
I do often think of it as becoming myself, and/or a softening. A big part of that process is the re-membering of parts of myself that I tried so hard for so long to amputate. Along with that, I also often think of it as scraping off mud and muck that has been stuck to me for so long that I had come to mistake it for part of my self. And all of this involves finally allowing myself to feel so, so much grief.
As I have continued to go through this process over the years, as so many other things have fallen away, I've landed on these words that feel like they sum everything up:
Make art. Love well.
These have been expansive (and expanding) words for me, and they feel like the summary of the work and the guide pointing me further into becoming myself.
Hello Paul!
I so deeply respect your social media boundaries these days. I am hoping to cultivate my own retreat from social media soon, at least for a time to decompress.
I love how all of that work to become yourself brought you to four simple words. I see how you could spend a lifetime unpacking them.
I am grateful for you being with me in this space when you can. Never worry about keeping up here. I like to say "I don't write to keep up, I write to keep close." Perhaps that can also apply to your journey as a reader somehow. How can reading be an act that affirms what you are keeping close?
Just know that I am just glad you are here.
Welcome back ❤️ I’m sorry you’ve dealt with hard times recently, and send you love and continued healing! Idk if I’d call it a homecoming but I am definitely experiencing something. Maybe more like a chrysalis (the break down of body mind and spirit has been 😮💨). I’m still getting to know her but I like this new version of me and she feels the most me I’ve ever felt.
Hello Martina! It is good to be back, though I am taking things at a slower pace than before.
Your process of becoming sounds both beautiful and painful. I often wonder why those two things often go together as they do. Many blessings upon you as you get to know this new version of yourself and wear her proudly. ❤️
Good day rose june, My friend Susan shared your substack with me. I look forward to following and reading with you as I too am a lover of poetry and find it a living breathing art form amd a daily part of my selfcare.
Hello Leilani! I am so glad you found your way here. (Thank you Susan!) Do you have any favorite poems or poets?
Such a beautiful piece! I’m forever grateful for your vulnerability and the space you have created here 💛
Thank you so much Tayler. It's a gift to know you are bearing witness!