Press Play on “Patience” by Aaron Taylor & Madison Ryann Ward.
I finally repotted my plants this month. ‘Tis Spring! The dormant, winter season is over and repotting season inevitably leads to ponderings from a plant parent.
A couple of years ago, I was making room for bigger and better opportunities while moving most of my plants into larger homes. I’d just started my first Director role at an organization, hosted Intermissions & Interludes, edited and released an issue of Resistance & Resilience, had left my local church, was starting to date again post-engagement, and still finding time to write and submit my work to publications.
Whew! I was doing it big but was doing thee most! This year, however, most of my plants didn’t need bigger pots. Everyone needed fresh soil and some needed to have roots moved around, but none of my plant babies have outgrown their pots just yet.
I’ve been taking notes on slowing down this year. I have a sticky note on my computer monitor that reads: “Just because I’m good at it, doesn’t mean I have to do it.” It’s my reminder to not overwhelm myself professionally, which can also extend itself to personal matters. Every time I do the most—even when it looks effortless—I burn out.
Sometimes I don’t need a bigger or newer space. Sure, I still need to prune dead leaves (or try not to freak out over one or two yellowing leaves). Other times, I just need to make sure the soil is healthy enough to continue thriving where I’m at. I don’t know what “fresh” soil looks like for me this Spring or for the rest of this year. I donated half of my closet because I still had clothes I haven’t worn since pre-COVID. I’m using this time to continue nesting in my apartment. After a string of rejections last month, I’m still pitching my writing and workshops to various conferences, residencies, and fellowships. I’m still working for myself full-time 🥲
Tending to this moment—this answered prayer—looks like finding ways to rework and enjoy what I already have so those projects can grow. In due time and with plenty of care and consistency, they’ll grow.
The Write-In: Updates & Co-writing
I’m rewriting and updating The Write-In Creative Writing Journal. I’m excited to share with you all soon as I’ve been incorporating more about shadow work and many of the uncomfortable feelings we don’t always make room for (more on that as I move closer to a release date!). In the meantime, tune-in to a couple of special playlists that are helping with the rewriting process.
Listen to Tears for Water 💦
Listen to Divine Anger 🐦🔥
Drop in for one of the last co-writing sessions this month. We meet on Thursdays at 11 am ET.
Let’s Get Embodied this Spring!
What is a “creativity doula” anyway? As a creativity doula, I combine nearly 15 years of experience in violence prevention, music education, creative writing and storytelling, public health, and gender and racial justice to take traditional relationships and intimacy coaching and act as a guide who supports your creative journey, intimacy journey, or both!
Read more FAQs and schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me today!
Pause & Press Play.
Here are a few playlists to press play while you explore repotting season—figuratively and literally. Listen to Resistance + Resilience: BLOOM 💐 and inhale/exhale.
For Justice & Joy,
LySaundra Janeé