Hello light, come on in.

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” -Rumi

I really need a pick me up this month. Ya feel? I still have not decided whether I am in deep denial or acceptance—either way, it (mostly…sometimes?) seems to be working. It’s hard to think about, and hard not to think about, those that have less, who may live in spaces that feel harsh or unforgiving (we pray for you). It’s challenging to want to shut yourself off to new information (that’s me, ya’ll) and also remain connected to people who find staying informed is helpful for their process. My mind can feel muddled and my future feels uncertain. And still. Still I breathe through it. We breathe through it. Sometimes more gracefully than others (and can we extend grace toward ourselves when it doesn’t feel so graceful?). Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there is deep belly laughter—deep belly laughter with friends that I am speaking to more frequently, opening up to more vulnerably and connecting with more deeply. My spontaneous dance parties have up’d their game, in number and in fashion—I’ve now found myself performing interpretive dance numbers to music that almost , just almost, makes me forget...

I imagine my truth isn’t too far from your own (doth project too much?). Gratitude and grounding partnered with equal amounts of irritation. Neat new discoveries partnered with resurfacing of old behaviors —some are finding themselves becoming more reactive (so normal!), while others (stop looking at me!) need to remind themselves to put down the pretty purple Method spray bottle and get still instead.

We grieve, we ground, we grieve again. We laugh, we cry, we throw a shit fit. What do ya know: we are human. We are imperfect. We are in totally unfamiliar territory and we need to give ourselves permission to allow, even embrace, whatever comes up, day by day, and treat ourselves with compassion. In related news, I’ve found reciting “Fuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkk” really loudly, followed by a deep breath, all the way from the bottom of my belly to the top of my head—hold it….1…..2…..3…..exhale STRONG—to be really effective. It’s a smorgasbord of self-care tools!

In the interest of that pick me up, I asked a few cool, creative and introspective women I know to share their silver linings—unexpected moments of joy, something they have discovered in their relationships (with themselves, their partner, their kids), or new ways they are passing the time that is nourishing their souls.

Their answers made my heart smile. Hope yours does, too.

Side note: This list is filled with simple notes of self-reflection or fun activities. It is in no way a collection of thoughts to compare yourself to or measure your “quarantine experience” against. We don’t do that around here.

Michele: “What started out as a 30 day yoga challenge has just become a part of my daily routine. It’s an hour of my day that’s just for me to relax, breathe, stretch. The best part is that my mom is right there with me on FaceTime. And although we don’t actually speak during class it’s comforting to know she’s there.”

Hillary: “I’ve realized that as a mother, I sometimes tend to take on my kiddos responsibilities as my responsibility, rather than as a shared responsibility. Not possibly being able to do all of it during quarantine has made me realize that I shouldn’t try to! And that it’s okay to take care of ME!”

Mia: “I can’t remember the last time my family (all four of us) ate this many dinner together!”

Skyler: “I can stand up for myself, for what I believe and ask for what I want and what I need—but that doesn’t mean someone will agree, understand or be pleased—and I need to be able to drop that respectfully and walk away.”

Jen: “Bike riding is my new hobby. I don’t remember the last time I rode one but now I do all the time and it’s so fun!”

LIndsey: “I shaved my head! I had actually wanted to shave it way back when, before I traveled in 2007. But at that point I had a unicorn bump (cyst since removed) and I was afraid I’d hate it and then in all my travel pics I’d be focused on that, so I didn’t do it. But I’ve always wanted to. I saw a video online of a girl doing it and I just thought ‘Yes! Now is the time!’ Turning 40 in two months was a motivator.”

Caitlin: “Ohhh! I’ve got so many…laying in front of my fake fire listening to records being my current one.”

Cat: “I think the most beautiful realization I have had during this time is the discovery that I’m FINALLY happy with who I am and where I’m at. I feel this inner peace that can’t be shaken by things like quarantine…I’m finding that there is no longer any thoughts, feelings, shame, hurt, etc. that I have been avoiding or running from. So when left with myself and my thoughts, I just feel inner peace and contentment. And that’s a fucking beautiful thing.”

Ariana: “I think a big realization is that I am actually much more capable of regulating myself and doing my own self-care by going inward rather than going outward and “filling” myself with outside things.”

Meg: “Fave new activity is hot dog and sm’ores roastin’ over open fire. Hot dog consumption is up 800% here!” *not pictured here is the rad photo of Meg’s quaint backyard with a romantic string of lights, gorgeous mural, and little crew roastin’ their dogs.

I’ll leave you with my own nugget of truth: I have had more time to notice just how effective all that self-compassion stuff I preach about truly is. Likely because there have been even more moments where it has felt applicable, or perhaps because there has been more time to tune into awareness. Surely I have been practicing it for quite some time now, but as Pema Chodron shares in Comfortable with Uncertainty “Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime.” Oh, Pema. You’re always a big Yes in my book. And in my less eloquent words, the hard days don’t get easier when you act like an asshole to yourself.

Easy does it, babes. Easy does it.

Here’s to a collective effort (and yes, it may take effort and that’s okay) to laugh more, stress less, be here now. Here’s to letting that light enter and allowing your beautiful soul to shine through the wound.