I need you to know that most of my solitary walks are either spent listening to guided meditations in my earbuds or just thinking about property/ownership/responsibility thanks to you 😅
That pleases the heck out of me 🥰 Someone else sent me a private property-related story sometime back and I said I feel like I've gotten somewhere in my life if people think of me when they see those topics! 😅
Thank you for this thought, Lindsey: “I’m trying to lean into the ways cleaning, cooking, folding, are embodied care tasks. Being online makes me feel scattered and unmoored, but being in my body folding clothes grounds me and connects me to the people I love.” Such an important recognition during winter when our bodies are not outdoors as much, moving and doing. Instead we are indoors and focused more inward, but the Internet flies us mentally all over the world, leaving us adrift in the ether. Then the comfort of clothes fresh out of the dryer and of hands immersed in warm dishwater (with only two we do dishes by hand) bring us back to our cozy abode where we find peaceful refuge from outdoor cold.
Also loved your Mays’ quote: “...increased inertia, adding an extra drag to each new action. I am being pulled inwards, towards slowness and stillness.” I’m feeling that--life slowing down, moving inward.
And your picture book-inspired painting--amazing! 🕯️
This post has so much richness. I especially love the sections on abandoning the clock and chores. I have made similar shifts in recent months--the clarity with which you describe them will help me stay grounded in them.
I recently discovered that the substack app on my (oldish) iPad still has the old interface--no notes section! So I think I’ll be spending more time over there. Social media has a similarly severe affect on me, and that side of substack is taking its toll.
I agree! And I’ve noticed as well. I have to keep reminding the earnest parts of myself who see people doing a lot of “marketing” on notes - that I’m here for a different reason and I can run in a different lane. Or more accurately, walk. 😅
I related to so much in this post! After so many years of addiction to Facebook and Twitter and then Instagram, I noticed a definite decrease in my capacity to read long-form articles and essays. So when I first discovered Substack via Suleika Jaouad and Kaitlin Curtis, I was initially very overwhelmed and had a hard time focusing on full length articles. But my attention was caught and as Substack gradually started replacing all my social media usage, the trend started reversing! Stress can still affect my attention capacity, but I’m learning better ways to cope - mainly doing writing exercises, even if I don’t share them. (I did a 5 card tarot spread and journal entry yesterday that hit me right in the gut. But I can’t remember a time where my cards DIDN’T do that to me, so....)
Looking forward to following along with your tarot process through the year! I’ve never heard of a “decan” before so I’m excited to learn.
I relate! I have been trying to make space for deep reading on here - a few days a week where I write, and a few days where I read. I’m trying very hard to be intentional about my subscriptions because I don’t want to gloss over people’s work, but I’m also going gently and just trusting my heart/gut when someone resonates. (Like you!)
My favorite resource for studying the decans is T Susan Chang - her blog is excellent and she has multiple books as well.
Tommie D forever. I do love your drawings💕💕 Yes to chores! 🫧 and slow time with family 💞 I’m grateful for you on the ground in Michigan and on the webs. Finally, can I have this recipe for preserving lemons? We have too many. And it’s like Amy’s (absent) pickled limes in LW. (never thought I’d be such a LW stan haha. Bring it!) PS I feel more settled after reading about your wands (which autocorrect just tried to make Wanda). Thank you for your Wanda! 😊
Forever and ever. 💕 and thank you for reading and connecting. I feel a kindred connection from Ohio 🩷
This is the recipe I used, but if the link doesn’t work google should do the trick. It’s barely a recipe, and more a simple technique. You basically smother quartered lemons in kosher salt and let them sit in the brine for a month!
I am definitely biased in favor of when in doubt, go for a walk.
I need you to know that most of my solitary walks are either spent listening to guided meditations in my earbuds or just thinking about property/ownership/responsibility thanks to you 😅
That pleases the heck out of me 🥰 Someone else sent me a private property-related story sometime back and I said I feel like I've gotten somewhere in my life if people think of me when they see those topics! 😅
"You don’t get my email!! And YOU don’t get my email!" Yes!
lol. It’s genuinely how I’ve felt this week. Small joys!
Lol yes such a good one
Thank you for this thought, Lindsey: “I’m trying to lean into the ways cleaning, cooking, folding, are embodied care tasks. Being online makes me feel scattered and unmoored, but being in my body folding clothes grounds me and connects me to the people I love.” Such an important recognition during winter when our bodies are not outdoors as much, moving and doing. Instead we are indoors and focused more inward, but the Internet flies us mentally all over the world, leaving us adrift in the ether. Then the comfort of clothes fresh out of the dryer and of hands immersed in warm dishwater (with only two we do dishes by hand) bring us back to our cozy abode where we find peaceful refuge from outdoor cold.
Also loved your Mays’ quote: “...increased inertia, adding an extra drag to each new action. I am being pulled inwards, towards slowness and stillness.” I’m feeling that--life slowing down, moving inward.
And your picture book-inspired painting--amazing! 🕯️
Thank you thank you. Yes! Sometimes I do dishes by hand just for the extra slow!
I really relate to #7. I’ve really learned to embrace various chores I do every day in a more mindful way to keep me grounded. Love this piece!
It’s a small shift that makes a big impact! Thanks for reading, Matt.
My pleasure!
This post has so much richness. I especially love the sections on abandoning the clock and chores. I have made similar shifts in recent months--the clarity with which you describe them will help me stay grounded in them.
I recently discovered that the substack app on my (oldish) iPad still has the old interface--no notes section! So I think I’ll be spending more time over there. Social media has a similarly severe affect on me, and that side of substack is taking its toll.
I agree! And I’ve noticed as well. I have to keep reminding the earnest parts of myself who see people doing a lot of “marketing” on notes - that I’m here for a different reason and I can run in a different lane. Or more accurately, walk. 😅
And thank you for reading, shaina 🩷
Yes to everything about this post! I’m planning my Insta break soon. It’s hibernating time.
😴 my email signature should be “see you in spring!”
I related to so much in this post! After so many years of addiction to Facebook and Twitter and then Instagram, I noticed a definite decrease in my capacity to read long-form articles and essays. So when I first discovered Substack via Suleika Jaouad and Kaitlin Curtis, I was initially very overwhelmed and had a hard time focusing on full length articles. But my attention was caught and as Substack gradually started replacing all my social media usage, the trend started reversing! Stress can still affect my attention capacity, but I’m learning better ways to cope - mainly doing writing exercises, even if I don’t share them. (I did a 5 card tarot spread and journal entry yesterday that hit me right in the gut. But I can’t remember a time where my cards DIDN’T do that to me, so....)
Looking forward to following along with your tarot process through the year! I’ve never heard of a “decan” before so I’m excited to learn.
I relate! I have been trying to make space for deep reading on here - a few days a week where I write, and a few days where I read. I’m trying very hard to be intentional about my subscriptions because I don’t want to gloss over people’s work, but I’m also going gently and just trusting my heart/gut when someone resonates. (Like you!)
My favorite resource for studying the decans is T Susan Chang - her blog is excellent and she has multiple books as well.
Oh thank you for the blog suggestion!
And the feeling of resonance is mutual. 🌹
Tommie D forever. I do love your drawings💕💕 Yes to chores! 🫧 and slow time with family 💞 I’m grateful for you on the ground in Michigan and on the webs. Finally, can I have this recipe for preserving lemons? We have too many. And it’s like Amy’s (absent) pickled limes in LW. (never thought I’d be such a LW stan haha. Bring it!) PS I feel more settled after reading about your wands (which autocorrect just tried to make Wanda). Thank you for your Wanda! 😊
And I didn’t even think about Amy’s limes! Yes!!
Forever and ever. 💕 and thank you for reading and connecting. I feel a kindred connection from Ohio 🩷
This is the recipe I used, but if the link doesn’t work google should do the trick. It’s barely a recipe, and more a simple technique. You basically smother quartered lemons in kosher salt and let them sit in the brine for a month!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLueEgEKgykVc5Kmm729saGyPhTHreSBcj&si=f1nODmNSiaFcof4g
"barely a recipe" = my whole approach to the kitchen, Thank you!