WEEKLY DOSE: sarahtonin #18
leaning into the portal
I recently started watching bits and pieces of Pamela Anderson’s newsest show, ‘Cooking with Love’. I love to see the recipes they come up with but for me, that is a byproduct of the show. The main star is the theme of owning power, rooting in an inherent foundation, and showing up in all of your enough-ness. That is what Pam has been embodying in recent years and there’s a reason it’s resonating with so many people—it’s offering us all permission to do the same.
Today is 4/4, which feels auspicious and powerful. The number four is said to exemplify the idea of foundation, which feels so fitting for this time. It stands for stability, structure and roots in gathering the footing of who one is becoming. When we are given the double whammy if you will of 4/4, it offers us a chance to really turn inward and decipher where we are practicing those ideas for ourselves. It’s an invitation, and some may even say a portal.
Something I have been asking myself lately is this:
Is this supporting my highest good and keeping me in alignment, or just keeping me in the familiar? We often mistaken our safety or comfort zone with familiarity, which can ultimately not be comfortable or actually supportive of our goals at all. With this portal, it’s a great time to reflect on a few things:
To revisit your intentions and goals with a fresher perspective.
Create (AND PRACTICE!) rituals that support the self you envision— embody that being as if he/she is already here.
Let go of patterns or people that no longer align, which means leaning into discomfort sometimes.
Come back to your why, renew what that anchor is for you
Not that you need an excuse to do any of these things but sometimes, the energy in the world matches what is happening internally; that is no mistake. So let this portal/eclipse season/moon phase be the nudge if you needed it, okay? It feels like so many of us are just…in it. But when you reflect back on periods of massive growth, they’ve always emerged from a rising up from the depths, in a way that felt aligned and not forced. . .am I right?
You are allowed, if it feels right, to reframe and reclaim. Trust that the unraveling of old and the unearthing of the new isn’t something to fix but rather, something to follow.
Now onto ‘sips of serotonin’ and the weekly round up!
FIRST: Sips of Serotonin // a palette cleanser, if you will.
A quick round up of blips on the web recently that in general brought me tremendous joy and are sure to bring you a warm fuzzy. (I don’t gatekeep, and especially not the good stuff.)
I have always loved watercolor but sometimes it can feel intimidating because it’s so. . .free? You know what I mean? I loved this video lesson, it feels so therapeutic.
I am absolutely head over heels for this artist’s work. She scans important documents like a handwritten note onto her ceramics to create this ‘Eternal Note’ as art.
A 49 year old woman becomes the first blind woman to swim the English Channel. Truly remarkable.
A community in London all comes together to help one devastated toddler reunite with their stuffed elephant and it’s so wholesome.
LOVING ON // A curated, intentional list of recommendations of things I’ve been loving on–to inspire, elevate or spark joy
To Use: This 3-in-1 Machine
Okay, okay, I finally get the hype. I have always wanted one of these bad boys but could never justify the price or was waiting for a sale. It’s absolutely insane how much dirt and dust and cheerios accumulates and when you live in a quaint sized home, everything. is. visible.
I have been trying to simplify in every area possible when I can, and something that never seems to get easier is sweeping and vacuuming constantly. (And wanting to mop but never having the extra oomph for that as much.) With kids and a big dog, cleaning just feels like brushing your teeth with Oreos sometimes. Then low and behold, my (amazing, generous, out of this world kind) in-laws told us they had a credit to use at Best Buy after purchasing some appliances. It feels hard to accept still but it truly was the perfect opportunity for us to finally get something that would not only get used every single day throughout our entire house, but sincerely improve our lives.
I’ve heard many people say this was the best investment they’ve ever made and I understand now that it’s really not hyperbole—the 3-for-1 action of this machine is next level and cuts cleaning time in half; preserving minutes and sanity.
To Learn: Gluten Free Sourdough Baking
One thing about me is that when I find an interest, I will hyper fixate, learn and research all that there is to know about it before I take action. (Or sometimes, I’m impulsive with it. It really varies.) But as I have mentioned on Sarahtonin before, I am determined to make this the year I perfect some skills in the kitchen— baking being one of them, but specifically of the gluten free variety so I can enjoy it. You’ve heard me talk about my deep, deep love for Cannelle et Vanille and I’ll forever be a ride or die. But the beauty of the internet means that you also can have multiple resources and teachers, and lately I have been loving Sourdough with Rebecca on Instagram. Her videos are just aesthetically pleasing and lovely, as is her approach. Just another great resource, if you are into that sort of thing!
To Read: Sh*t Happens, Breathe Through It
Have you ever heard of a more perfect title of a book? Imagine sitting down with a wise, soul-giving friend who's been through the wringer and is ready to share all the juicy details to help you navigate life's curveballs. Well, I was lucky enough to do JUST THAT with my dear friend Jondrea, a seasoned life coach and certified HypnoBreathwork® leader, and newly the author of this fantastic new book that she recently launched into the world. In it she opens up about hitting rock bottom in her early 30s and the journey she embarked on to reclaim her own narrative. She dives real deep into personal development, having studied Clinical Psychology and Human Development, and racking up impressive certifications in reiki, yoga, and various coaching fields. Girlfriend knows her stuff.
In this absolute block of gold that is her book, she distills decades of hard-earned wisdom into practical, no-nonsense advice that you can apply to your own life immediately. (I seriously feel like I look at life through a different lens after any time I listen to her.) No matter what is on your plate, Jondrea offers strategies to help you face them head-on with grace and honesty— the same tactics she so humbly bears. This book is like having a heart-to-heart over coffee with someone who's been there, done that, and genuinely wants to see you thrive, without coming from a preachy place. No hierarchy here—she sits in it, right there with you.
I have been more lit up by the space of Substack in a way that’s been different than anything else lately. It truly speaks to my heart and feels like I am combining all of my life’s loves together in one space. I am SO EXCITED to bring you more goodness in the coming weeks and months, covering a very wide variety of topics, people and never once fitting into one, singular box.
That being said, I would love to know what you are loving and/or want to see more of on Sarahtonin Substack in general! After all, my goal is to impart more joy, wisdom, and light into the world, so how can I help make that happen for you? (Answers are anonymous!)
So thankful you are here.
You are seen, loved and matter.