This was my month:
ALL THE LEO ENERGY! I love my birthday month, and I really felt its life yielding energy. It really gave me insight about how dark this pandemic has been on my mind/body/spirit. What I felt this month is a reminder that that isn’t the new norm. What I felt this month was a reminder of what it’s like to be me and flowing from a place of abundance. I experienced many things and worked a lot, but didn’t feel the threat of burnout or coming to the edge of my capacity. I’m so thankful to have many humans around me to celebrate life with as well as journey alongside each other when times are hard.
art market at the martin:
I started this month doing my first art market in a long long time. I really enjoyed getting art made with a specific deadline and purpose - note to self have more things on the calendar that could help propel me to create. During the market, I had alot of fun chatting to friends and folks that came by as well as getting to know the artists from the other tables. It was a nice break from the solitude. I have some left over pieces for sale - if you’re interested please feel free to email me!
You all have witnessed me being pretty secretive about my etsy shop! It’s still progressing and evolving quickly, but I feel more confident about my totes and tees. I have multiple projects brewing at the moment - ways it can continue to improve and be applied. I’m super excited to share with you all as they unfold! This opportunity is a big deal for me, because it is developing to be a great way of passive income - so that I can continue to do my art and facilitation work without burning out.
book:
Six crimson cranes by elizabeth lim
I really needed a change of pace from last month’s books, and this book hit the spot. It’s a young adult fiction filled with magic, dragons, royalty, and charm. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for an lighthearted yet engaging escape. I might try Spin the Dawn by the same author next.
small joy:
For more than a month, I’ve been having this same smoothie pretty much every single day. I love it so much! Here’s what’s in it:
1 frozen banana
handful of frozen berry blend (strawberries, blueberries, cherries)
handful of spinach
a spoonful of hemp seeds
a spoonful of peanut butter
a sprinkle of cinnamon
a sprinkle of stevia
oat milk and water
topped with toasted oats
Usually it’s enough to have two full glasses - perfect for an afternoon snack. I love that it doesn’t hit my energy from spiking my sugar levels too much.
my 32nd birthday:
I felt so loved my birthday and birthday week/month! I spent my birthday eating AMAZING food with people who love me and that I love. It was good to reflect on this past year and all that it held - challenging and beautiful and incredible and painful. And I expressed what my intentions are for this next year.
More abundance and more ease. Healing that embodies patience and invites my relationships to be part of it. Building financial stability under anti capitalism. Expanding my imagination and sense of thriving through art. Facilitating spaces that feel life giving both for participants and me.
Birthday getaway:
My partner and I went to Michigan City for a small trip - he booked a cute airbnb by the beach, and it was such a restful getaway. I forgot how healing it is to be in water. We soaked in the summer sun and spent a long time in the cool water. We ate amazing food, spent time in the sun and water, and rested. Thankful for making memories with my partner - and to take a break from all the life things that feel so overwhelming and chaotic.
cataloguing the good times:
After the trip with my partner, my next therapy session was processing how wonderful it went. It might sound silly, but I’m so conditioned to expect the worst to happen and to prepare for a multitudes of things that could go bad. Catastrophying - as my therapist names it. And the thing is…it’s from lived experience that bad and disappointing things do happen. As I’m healing, I’m practicing having a realistic vision and narrative of life: bad/disappointing things do happen AND wonderful and beautiful things also happen. When the bad/disappointing things happen, I’m also embodying the truth that it’s not a personal attack from the universe (definitely religious trauma mixed up in there).
My therapist had me describe how it felt to have such a relaxing, easeful, and nice time with my partner. So that when things are challenging, I can access times where things did work out.
Embracing new things:
I had a client request new works of art in a style I did last spring, and it made me look back and reflect on things a year ago - so synchronistic. Usually I feel like I look back and kind of cringe, but this time I felt a sense of endearment. It brought me back to what I felt - the scary stillness of being alone along with so much grief and chaos. Art, for me, is such a snapshot of things and feeling beyond words.
If you are BIPOC, you are invited to participate in this weekly summer series hosted by The #LetUsBreathe Collective and the #DefundCPD Campaign. I will be leading a session on September 19! If you’re in the occupied Chicago area, mark this in your calendar. I’m honored to be part of this series!
Virgo season:
As much as I love Leo season, Virgo season is my other favorite season! I feel the energy of putting into motion what I’m dreaming about - putting systems in place so that I can thrive and continue the momentum. I’m so thankful for all of you for joining me in this wild journey. I’ve been doing Patreon for a good 2 years now and it continues to be life giving for me. Hope it is for you too!