Buying picture frames for our bare white walls and under-the-bed organizer trunks. 🤓 Answering questions from the kids like "will we live here forever" and trying to gradually introduce them to what rooting feels like in a tumblesome world. Thanks Summer, I hope you and your family are feeling better after coming down with the flu.
I have a tendency to get "chaotic joy" this time of year. My teacher would put me in baby pose to ground my energy! I do that still. I also move really slowly and speak slowly.(good for vattas and those with containment issues) I also am working on grounding through my feet and sit bones. Creativity is a great outlet and with the plant analogy realizing my growing cycle is different than other people's. Im not grass, I am not a birch, I am an autumn flower!
I feel a lot of these mixed emotions in spring too. I like the cozy burrowing of winter, and it's always over a bit too soon for me. Now all of a sudden it's birthday parties, and picnics, and group outings, and pressure to plan hiking trips, and, and, and ... it's a lot. Even though I also love all those things, it always seems a bit too hectic by late spring. (Plus, YES, the introverted mother of a high-needs kid now being needed especially frequently to grin and chat and chauffeur, and it has ratcheted up so quickly.) Anyway, thanks for putting that feeling in words.
We are not “four years post-pandy”— four years ago the pandemic was just getting going. We are like 0-1.5 years post-pandy depending on what body/bodies you car for. Let’s not dismiss or minimize one another by forgetting the facts. We all deserve more ease.
My Buddhist meditation teacher offered this up this morning during class, "Learn to love the waiting." I don't know if that's helpful. I'm very much at this in-between place right now and have no option other than to completely let go and trust, surrender to all that is, and in so doing I have been lifted somehow above the fray into a vast open oceanic space of deep peace, grace and love not just for myself but my entire human family. I turned 50 yesterday and something in me shifted. I find myself rooted deeply in only the present moment and all is well. It is only when I leave the peace of that and go to the past or future that I become undone, but then I return, I'm getting better at staying...here, now and there is freedom. Sending you so much love.💓
That’s awesome Niki. I taught my daughter how to meditate today. In the sun on the beach. She said it was boring. I said it was delicious. She said it can’t be delicious if it has no taste. So then we tried to think of a feeling adjective for good 🧐
Again, I love your writing. Seeds and boundaries before germination is a great analogy! There are mirrors to that in the plant world – some seeds require an extra step, a boundary, in order to grow into healthy plants. It’s called stratification. To do it takes care, a willingness to go slow, wait, be present and attentive. Vibrancy and a healthy root structure only comes afterward. Sounds like me, maybe you, too?
That sounds good! Remembering to go slow in spring insanity is key. Also love what you say about be present, attentive, and patient. I've said no to so many things already. Feeling good, too!
At some point we have to stop trying to have our cake and eat it too. If we keep trying to abandon monernities madness while still buying what they are selling us, we will never grow roots. We have to decide what side we are on. Do we chose empire and the mad view it holds or the cycles of Gaia. We have to walk away from what kills Her if we wish to genuinely grow roots. I walked away over a decade ago. Yes, its hard to learn how to live without the comforts modernity made me get use to, but my roots are finally growing. And Home is finally coming into view. https://gregorypettys.substack.com/
Wow, this is so important, Summer! I'm doing my best to give myself space for deeper rooting. Need to move in 3 weeks because both my ex and my mother believe I don't deserve to keep my beautiful affordable home in co-housing, where I've lived & raised my son the past 14.8 years. My extended biological family have ostracized me as a result of stories my mother has told them that villanize me. The only thing that keeps me going right now is wanting to be there for my son, and my cat. 🎇🐾🐈♥️
So, though I'd much rather bask in the late afternoon/early evening sunshine splashing in through my LR window with a good book or a pen & journal, I must sort through stuff to either give away or pack. I am saying no to as many things as I can so I have time to sort out who I am moving forward. 🎇 Always that push-pull of the call to spend time with friends so I'm not forgotten and cocooning so I don't lose my mind. Thankfully, my daily labyrinth walk meditation practice holds me close and keeps me together. 🔮
Right now, I don't have much of a choice to root down. The thing is, despite the awful reasons, I'm not terribly upset by it. I'm finding that I don't want to jump in either. People around me are having similar experiences. It used to be that we were all in sun hats and long flowy skirts wandering flowers the first day it was sunny, drinking tea on a patio every day we could, but now, we are slower and more intentional about those things. Once a week or once a month, we venture into the sun together. Other days, we take walks and share photos of flowers or talk about stories we're writing.
Side note: Someone I know just got COVID, so to me, the pandemic has not ended so much as shifted to a tenuous space, where we can live again, but with intention we didn't have before.
Living with a different intention, exactly. Everything is a bit more... guarded. We're all a little older, wiser, harder. The pandemic did that, for sure, I think. But like you said, more intentional. For one, I pick my friends differently now. I pick my activities and thoughts differently. And that's a good thing :-)
Taking time to root down, whilst also slowly pushing my self a little further each month as things get warmer. It’s hard to get the balance right and is very delicate! I find, like the spring of my cycle, this time of year is full of hope, but also full of anxiety too. I am being patient with myself, listening to my own needs and (trying) to say no when I need to.
Plants speak silently. Letting them root, leaving them alone to secure a home, a ‘foot hold’ to dig deep for nutrients and often do not grow at the surface for years, then when secure the plant like bamboo may shoot up to 100 feet.
That's so interesting you mention the summer solstice as "where the tide of the day starts to recede, and I start feeling more like myself again." I FEEL THE EXACT SAME WAY ABOUT SUMMER SOLISTICE. I can feel myself loosen on the actual day, knowing the sun (and by extension, me) isn't blowing up like a balloon about to pop.
I am so heartened to read your words. As a pluviophile, one who loves rainy days, the onslaught of full-on late Spring/Summer (e.g. Bealtaine marks the beginning of summer in the Celtic wheel of the year) is a difficult and even frightening shift for me. My mental health feels the relentlessness of the external world more acutely. Everything pitches towards the demanding noisy surface world. Peace is elusive. The pressures of daylight are very real.
I never thought of spring in quite this way, but it fits. I am older and struggling with too much: inflammation,
trouble in my back and hips,
and two little grandchildren who are sprouting like seeds in Alaska, even though we live in Arizona!
I want to say yes, as my church gears up for their vacation Bible school. I want to say yes to watching my grands. I have done this in the past, but my body wants time to rest and recover. It needs more care, not more work.
When does “no” become ok?
Hmm…
No is ok when I listen to my body tell me no.
No is ok when pain speaks with loud shouts! (In fact no is ok before this point. )
No is ok when I have done my part and it is time to step down.
No is ok when I decide to pursue a different passion.
i so agree with saying "yes" to the "no." boundaries and roots. so many wise words even in the midst of the flu! hope all in your household are on the mend soon and your entwining roots nourish your hearts as the day light hours grow longer.
my new abode has something close to blackout drapes in the bedroom, so that helps with the early rising/late setting sun for those of us who like routine bedtimes! grateful for that.
That is so important, right? I'm glad your new place has those! My cardboard cutout thing in my window keeps falling which makes sleep harder to come by. How are you liking your new home, btw?
Ha! when you said “cardboard cutout,” the first thing that came to mind was one of those cutouts you get at party shops and i was wondering who/what you might be propping in your window. Sigourney Weaver from Alien perhaps 😂.
and am very appreciated of the new abode. lots of green surrounding me and the birds are in full symphony mode. all delightful. Thank you for asking. ✨💫🧡
may you have the energy to tend to your tender self. 🧡
Are you taking the time to root down? How do you grow roots during this manic time of year?
Buying picture frames for our bare white walls and under-the-bed organizer trunks. 🤓 Answering questions from the kids like "will we live here forever" and trying to gradually introduce them to what rooting feels like in a tumblesome world. Thanks Summer, I hope you and your family are feeling better after coming down with the flu.
Thanks so much Van. Yeah you’re definitely doing your rooting work now! How long since you moved?
A little over a month! That “we better act like we live here” phase. :)
That's not that long at all!
I have a tendency to get "chaotic joy" this time of year. My teacher would put me in baby pose to ground my energy! I do that still. I also move really slowly and speak slowly.(good for vattas and those with containment issues) I also am working on grounding through my feet and sit bones. Creativity is a great outlet and with the plant analogy realizing my growing cycle is different than other people's. Im not grass, I am not a birch, I am an autumn flower!
I love that you exp chaotic joy!!!
As someone I respect once said: "A boundary is the distance at which I can love both myself and you." Thank you as ever, Summer.
I love that. I need to tattoo that on my brain. Thank you!
I feel a lot of these mixed emotions in spring too. I like the cozy burrowing of winter, and it's always over a bit too soon for me. Now all of a sudden it's birthday parties, and picnics, and group outings, and pressure to plan hiking trips, and, and, and ... it's a lot. Even though I also love all those things, it always seems a bit too hectic by late spring. (Plus, YES, the introverted mother of a high-needs kid now being needed especially frequently to grin and chat and chauffeur, and it has ratcheted up so quickly.) Anyway, thanks for putting that feeling in words.
Thanks, Rebecca. I'm glad I'm not the only one! In solidarity, mama <3
We are not “four years post-pandy”— four years ago the pandemic was just getting going. We are like 0-1.5 years post-pandy depending on what body/bodies you car for. Let’s not dismiss or minimize one another by forgetting the facts. We all deserve more ease.
I'm going to edit that part because you're right. The pandy didn't "end" until recently.
True, true. Good point.
Care* for
My Buddhist meditation teacher offered this up this morning during class, "Learn to love the waiting." I don't know if that's helpful. I'm very much at this in-between place right now and have no option other than to completely let go and trust, surrender to all that is, and in so doing I have been lifted somehow above the fray into a vast open oceanic space of deep peace, grace and love not just for myself but my entire human family. I turned 50 yesterday and something in me shifted. I find myself rooted deeply in only the present moment and all is well. It is only when I leave the peace of that and go to the past or future that I become undone, but then I return, I'm getting better at staying...here, now and there is freedom. Sending you so much love.💓
That’s awesome Niki. I taught my daughter how to meditate today. In the sun on the beach. She said it was boring. I said it was delicious. She said it can’t be delicious if it has no taste. So then we tried to think of a feeling adjective for good 🧐
Bliss.
Trust. The now. When God wants to take you (He/She) will.
🙏
Again, I love your writing. Seeds and boundaries before germination is a great analogy! There are mirrors to that in the plant world – some seeds require an extra step, a boundary, in order to grow into healthy plants. It’s called stratification. To do it takes care, a willingness to go slow, wait, be present and attentive. Vibrancy and a healthy root structure only comes afterward. Sounds like me, maybe you, too?
That sounds good! Remembering to go slow in spring insanity is key. Also love what you say about be present, attentive, and patient. I've said no to so many things already. Feeling good, too!
At some point we have to stop trying to have our cake and eat it too. If we keep trying to abandon monernities madness while still buying what they are selling us, we will never grow roots. We have to decide what side we are on. Do we chose empire and the mad view it holds or the cycles of Gaia. We have to walk away from what kills Her if we wish to genuinely grow roots. I walked away over a decade ago. Yes, its hard to learn how to live without the comforts modernity made me get use to, but my roots are finally growing. And Home is finally coming into view. https://gregorypettys.substack.com/
It's so true! Sounds like we're on similar paths... thank you for linking to your piece. I'm going to read it now!
Indeed. Good to know we aren't alone in this effort to return to sanity. cheers! gp
Wow, this is so important, Summer! I'm doing my best to give myself space for deeper rooting. Need to move in 3 weeks because both my ex and my mother believe I don't deserve to keep my beautiful affordable home in co-housing, where I've lived & raised my son the past 14.8 years. My extended biological family have ostracized me as a result of stories my mother has told them that villanize me. The only thing that keeps me going right now is wanting to be there for my son, and my cat. 🎇🐾🐈♥️
So, though I'd much rather bask in the late afternoon/early evening sunshine splashing in through my LR window with a good book or a pen & journal, I must sort through stuff to either give away or pack. I am saying no to as many things as I can so I have time to sort out who I am moving forward. 🎇 Always that push-pull of the call to spend time with friends so I'm not forgotten and cocooning so I don't lose my mind. Thankfully, my daily labyrinth walk meditation practice holds me close and keeps me together. 🔮
Thank you for your writing, Summer!
Oh my, I'm am so sorry you're going through that! That's heartbreaking! Holding you in my spirit. Xo
Thank you so much, Summer! ~:0)
Right now, I don't have much of a choice to root down. The thing is, despite the awful reasons, I'm not terribly upset by it. I'm finding that I don't want to jump in either. People around me are having similar experiences. It used to be that we were all in sun hats and long flowy skirts wandering flowers the first day it was sunny, drinking tea on a patio every day we could, but now, we are slower and more intentional about those things. Once a week or once a month, we venture into the sun together. Other days, we take walks and share photos of flowers or talk about stories we're writing.
Side note: Someone I know just got COVID, so to me, the pandemic has not ended so much as shifted to a tenuous space, where we can live again, but with intention we didn't have before.
Living with a different intention, exactly. Everything is a bit more... guarded. We're all a little older, wiser, harder. The pandemic did that, for sure, I think. But like you said, more intentional. For one, I pick my friends differently now. I pick my activities and thoughts differently. And that's a good thing :-)
Taking time to root down, whilst also slowly pushing my self a little further each month as things get warmer. It’s hard to get the balance right and is very delicate! I find, like the spring of my cycle, this time of year is full of hope, but also full of anxiety too. I am being patient with myself, listening to my own needs and (trying) to say no when I need to.
Sounds like you’re doing a good job balancing Hannah. So much agree with what you say, this teeter, totter between hope and anxiety.
Plants speak silently. Letting them root, leaving them alone to secure a home, a ‘foot hold’ to dig deep for nutrients and often do not grow at the surface for years, then when secure the plant like bamboo may shoot up to 100 feet.
I love that analogy.
Thanks for this post. I recently posted on my own struggles with Spring (https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonymiccoli/p/the-relentless-spring?r=36s13v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web), but yours presents some excellent ways to set boundaries. Definitely something I'll be referring back to!
That's so interesting you mention the summer solstice as "where the tide of the day starts to recede, and I start feeling more like myself again." I FEEL THE EXACT SAME WAY ABOUT SUMMER SOLISTICE. I can feel myself loosen on the actual day, knowing the sun (and by extension, me) isn't blowing up like a balloon about to pop.
"A balloon about to pop." That PERFECTLY describes the feeling! Thank you for articulating it so well.
I am so heartened to read your words. As a pluviophile, one who loves rainy days, the onslaught of full-on late Spring/Summer (e.g. Bealtaine marks the beginning of summer in the Celtic wheel of the year) is a difficult and even frightening shift for me. My mental health feels the relentlessness of the external world more acutely. Everything pitches towards the demanding noisy surface world. Peace is elusive. The pressures of daylight are very real.
I feel you one million percent! And I love that you taught me this new word, pluviophile.
I never thought of spring in quite this way, but it fits. I am older and struggling with too much: inflammation,
trouble in my back and hips,
and two little grandchildren who are sprouting like seeds in Alaska, even though we live in Arizona!
I want to say yes, as my church gears up for their vacation Bible school. I want to say yes to watching my grands. I have done this in the past, but my body wants time to rest and recover. It needs more care, not more work.
When does “no” become ok?
Hmm…
No is ok when I listen to my body tell me no.
No is ok when pain speaks with loud shouts! (In fact no is ok before this point. )
No is ok when I have done my part and it is time to step down.
No is ok when I decide to pursue a different passion.
No, no, NO, NO! NO!!
(I am practicing.)
Yes, Linda!!! Rooting for you!!!
Beautifully written.
Thanks so much, Velvet! <3
i so agree with saying "yes" to the "no." boundaries and roots. so many wise words even in the midst of the flu! hope all in your household are on the mend soon and your entwining roots nourish your hearts as the day light hours grow longer.
my new abode has something close to blackout drapes in the bedroom, so that helps with the early rising/late setting sun for those of us who like routine bedtimes! grateful for that.
That is so important, right? I'm glad your new place has those! My cardboard cutout thing in my window keeps falling which makes sleep harder to come by. How are you liking your new home, btw?
Ha! when you said “cardboard cutout,” the first thing that came to mind was one of those cutouts you get at party shops and i was wondering who/what you might be propping in your window. Sigourney Weaver from Alien perhaps 😂.
and am very appreciated of the new abode. lots of green surrounding me and the birds are in full symphony mode. all delightful. Thank you for asking. ✨💫🧡
may you have the energy to tend to your tender self. 🧡
Lol!