WEEKLY DOSE: sarahtonin #26
feelings and stuff.
image found via Pinterest
Maybe it’s the powerful full moon.
Maybe it’s years of ‘doing the work’ feeling like they are coming to fruition. Maybe it’s a combo of both.
But… the downloads have been strong and prophetic; I feel an energetic shift in the air that appears a bit undeniable. Do you feel it too?
It’s like a subtle yet powerful undercurrent— almost like a soul-decluttering and recalibration in a way. I feel this personally and as a collective. For myself, there’s been this very steady stream of signs, emotions or patterns resurfacing, intuitive *hits* that I can’t seem to ignore. It is both heavy and so helpful, as it cleans the slate for where I want and am meant to go. There are parts of me that, while they once kept me safe and comfortable, are no longer relevant or welcome. And I’m feeling the sharp relief on my shoulders of setting the baggage down for good.
It feels odd to say however, given the absolute tragedies that have been occurring in our world. (As a massive feeler and empath, I constantly struggle with this duality of being both hopeful and forward thinking and deeply heavy-hearted by the state of things.) We’re trying to get our footing to stay grounded while always being yelled at. We’re expected to be informed, awake and taking constant action, but without a filter to what we see and hear, while also breaking old cycles, raising families & dreams and regulating our nervous system. It’s insurmountable at times and our bodies weren’t designed to handle so much at once.
But maybe this different frequency of things is like an invitation to not figure it all out or hold the weight at once, but instead to fine tune our awareness and assess our capacities in order to put our best, most aligned foot forward. To notice what’s coming up, what needs to be relingquished from our grip, and to reclaim ourselves in order to step into this next elevated version.
I am reminded of the Marianne Williamson quote (and have been saying it daily to myself lately):
Where would You have me go? What would You have me do? What would You have me say, and to whom?"
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.)
Two girls play piano and violin, but each are playing EACH instrument, at the same time?! Meanwhile, I tripped getting the mail today.
This simple list of Summer glimmers hits right in the soul. It really is the simple things, isn’t it? Amazing how we can all connect by relating to a feeling.
100% of patients with congenital deafness had hearing restored in new trial. Incredible!
A bodega owner is giving free food to kids coming in with good grades. Now this is using your authority for good!
LOVING ON // A curated, intentional list of recommendations of things I’ve been loving on–to inspire, elevate or spark joy.
To Listen: The Sandwich Generation
A million years ago in one of my other lives, I was deep in interning and being a sponge of learning as much as I could in the creative realm. I somehow convinced one of my favorite photographers Eliesa to allow me to be her intern (literally, I think I just asked her—we love an emboldened gal!) Around that sometime, I volunteered to do any job needed on the set of an indie movie directed by one of my other dearest photo mentors and friends, Maribeth. On that set, I quickly adored and befriended the lead actress, Robyn, the founder of Thumbs Cookies. Fast forward many years and I somehow tricked all of those folks to still being in my life and now Eliesa and Robyn just launched a podcast this week that covers of the most important topics to date. The Sandwich Generation is all about caring for aging parents, all while being in the thick of parenthood. The whiplash of changing diapers and then dynamics of being someone’s POA is second to none, but something so many of us have or are experiencing. The honest conversations these two are having is what the world needs and I am so thrilled to watch it bloom and comfort so many lives.
To Try: This Eggshell trick for your plants
Now that I’ve really leaned hard into my gardening/plant era like a tried and true late 30 something resetting her nervous system with hobbies, I’m absorbing as much info as I can take in. I heard about this eggshell trick a while ago and it really impressed me— drying out the shells in the oven and then blending them to a powder to sprinkle into the soil. I’ve only tried it a little bit (when I can remember to save the shells) and was blown away the first time. I’ve been saving them this week and plan to make a new ‘batch’ this weekend to try not just in our house plants but also in the garden.
I’m all about experimenting right now and marveling at nature and science has been a welcomed spark of joy.
To Wear: Shopping on Geartrade
Okay I’m probably way behind the curve on this one, but have you ever heard of Geartrade? I love to shop second hand and save/invest in new things when I love them in a different way, or they are super unique. But I think as a parent and often buying second hand because kids grow and change so fast, my awareness to it all has trickled more into my own life. Better for the planet, wallet, and countless other reasons! There’s a time and place for both new and used.
I am heading to Iceland in a month-ish and while I often go to FB Marketplace, Poshmark, Thred Up or any of the other online consignment, I stumbled on Geartrade when looking for different hiking boots. I haven’t bought anything just yet but am blown away at how much is on there. Access to quality brands like REI and Patagonia, for a literal fraction of the price because they are gently used. This would also be an excellent way to try things out if you are curious about a new hobby, like skiing or camping, but don’t want to make the full investment just yet.
In Case You Missed It//
What My Mom Taught Me About Love, 5 Days Before She Died
This one is possibly one of my most personal essays that I’ve ever published. It truly has been 2.5 years in the making, sitting on my heart as I’ve continued to unpack the gift that this moment was and all the ways it’s shaped me ever since.
Sarahtonin is mean to feel like a hug and a safe space and landing pad for whatever your heart needs, and I am so glad you’re here.