What Come Through: An equinox reflection on divorce, doubt, and doing things my way
Hello loves,
Happy Autumnal Equinox!
The Fall Equinox is my second favorite day (my birthday is my first!) and Fall is my favorite season.
Today marks seven years since my divorce was finalized. It was a huge pivot point in my life even though it didn’t feel like it at the time. I’ve spent the last seven years shedding a lot of old programming and beliefs that weren’t mine. Coming back to my truth and remembering who I am, no longer bending for others. Remembering I am always at choice and choosing myself first, over and over and over again.
I can’t remember her name, but I had an English teacher in high school that told me I’d never get above a B in her class and that I wasn’t a good writer. I was in 10th grade and a straight-A student. Her words crushed me. I always met the criteria she asked for and I was discerning with my words - short and to the point. She wanted more fluff.
In corporate, working as an engineer in aerospace, writing processes and build documents for space flight hardware, technicians would compliment me and what I wrote because it was clear and concise.
I found my first diary that my mom gifted me when I was eight years old. I didn’t know what to write back then, so I’d list what I did that day, or vent about how angry I was at my mom for grounding me because my brother lied about something he did that I got in trouble for.
I’m 47 now and have been writing daily for almost forty years! Last year, I started writing poetry and that opened up a whole new doorway for me and my writing. I joined a few poetry groups and a writing circle. I haven’t felt so seen and held by a community like I have by these poets and writers.
Looking back, I can say that I am grateful to my English teacher for her unkind words. I realized that the way I wrote wasn’t what she liked to read. I learned that doing things my way is the best way, even if things don’t always work out the way I’d like them to. Practice builds progress and clarity.
I define perfection differently now.
Perfection for me is my values, my friendships, being in community, and the experiences I learn and grow from. Mother Earth is my teacher and so is the Universe. They’re always teaching and showing me something new.
I am hosting a writing workshop, Textures: Awaken Your Senses – Autumn, starting next month. I’m all about embodiment and the senses, so I’ve combined the two into a guided workshop where we cover six senses in six weeks. We kick off with a guided meditation/visualization and then write about what shows up. I’ve had some fun memories pop up as I’ve been creating it and I’m excited to hear what comes through for people who choose to share in the workshop.
With love,
Naomi
Join Me!
Textures: Awaken Your Senses – Autumn
A six-week guided writing workshop exploring autumn through the senses.
Curiosity · Memory · Presence · Discovery · Wonder · Attention
Each week, we’ll approach the season through a different sense and see what emerges through you and onto the page.
Three cohorts begin the week of October 12.