Thank you 🍃🍂you captured what I’ve been experiencing these past few days eloquently. The weird sadness of something I couldn’t name, the gratitude for every sunrise and starshine... I must make a fire in the fire pit and just be. 💜
I think there is some solace in knowing this strange feeling we get towards the end of summer is somewhat universal <3 and fire pits are very good medicine :)
I am in love with synchronicity. I love the fact that the tighter I hold on to things, the more certain they are to slip away and the more I handle things slowly, deliberately, with intent and care, the deeper and more fulfilling the experience.
Your post resonated deeply with me but not so much in a literal way. As I began reading, my mind made a different connection. I will be turning 50years old in January. I have not been particularly bothered by it so far as some are. I revel in my wisdom and welcome the next step in my journey, away from mother and into crone. As I’m getting closer and thinking about how I might like to celebrate, some thoughts have crept in with some fear.
Your article gave me a different perspective and a little bit of peace. Turning 50, for me, is like August and the golden hour. It is a time when everything sparkles and shadows start to creep in. I don’t want to do disservice to your article. Maybe read it again from the perspective of someone preparing for the next stage in life. It is a time of harvest and slowing and appreciating but also of preparing for my future but also slowing and taking stock of my past. What will I take with me and what will I consciously let go of?
This article meant a lot to me. Every time I read it, I find more. It has been important to me. As you said, August is also a feeling and it has been lovely to dwell in that feeling for a while. Thank you!
Jamie, I love this shift of perspective. It makes me so happy to know you interpreted it in a way that relates to your own life, I think that is the goal of all artists/writers! And I think this August state of mind is a beautiful way to describe transitions in life. From mother to crone, and even from maiden to mother, or other big changes where something is lost, but the thing that is gained is so much more precious because of it. I've found the earth already has every lesson we need to learn playing out before us. It's beautiful and scary and mysterious all at the same time. Best wishes on your journey my friend!
This was a lovely post, entirely speaking to my feelings lately. Thank you. I struggled a lot throughout August, trying to find balance while 'attempting to grow' here on Substack. I struggled to use all of its features (daily) to create a 'community.' In the final week of August I felt a sort of clarity...
Gazing out at that big, bright, blue moon -- I finally felt a sense of peace. Something similar to what you've written about here...it is perfectly fine to simply, 'be.' To meet [myself] where [I am] mentally, physically, emotionally.
I've exhaled. And, I'm beginning September feeling much 'lighter.' Thank you for this lovely letter! ♡
Jessica I understand! I've recently started on Substack as well after solely focusing on IG/FB. It's both exciting and overwhelming to try and figure out how to make a new platform work. But, I will say that even if my audience is much smaller here, I feel so much more inspired, connected and free. Maybe you have similar feelings. At the end of the day I think it's all about the writing anyways.
It was such a beautiful moon too. I think of all of the people before light pollution was a thing, who learned so much just by observing the movements of the moon and stars. Our best lessons come in stillness rather than action I think.
Happiest September to you! May it be gold and beautiful.
Yes, I did Val, thank you - peaceful and reflective, with a great meal, made special with balcony herbs!
I tend to point out, without invitation, to those rushing into autumn that most of September is still summer: My most enjoyable and memorable vacations were spent by the ocean, from the 9th to 20th, with no crowds, lovely weather, and plenty of golden hours. Memories to savor endlessly.
That sounds so beautiful, so many beautiful memories behind and so many yet to come. You are so right about September too. You can feel autumn in the air in the mornings, but summer still is very much present. Golden hours by the ocean are absolutely magical.
I love your prose and how you connect the aspects of nature to the intangible philosophy of our inner world. Also, what you said about trying reminded me of a friend of mine who teaches theater. He asked his students to act out the verb "try". Ultimately, you can't. It's either do, or not do. Just like Yoda said. :)
Thank you so much for the kind words Maggie! I'm so glad to have you here! I also love that perspective and example about "try". You're so right, it's this unattainable pressure we put on ourselves that just leaves us more confused! And I think once I realized "not doing" was just as powerful as "doing", everything became much easier. There was no necessity for "try".
There is nothing so melancholy as a birthday in mid-August: Nothing speaks quite so eloquently to the soul as the golden hour that ushers in an annual end-eclipsed-by-beginning. Thank you...you know my soul.
I love your words Wendy, I think people so often want to rush into autumn without really diving into the deeper emotions that late August brings. I think I've seen it more than with any other seasonal transition. Yes fall is beautiful, but I think that urgency to transition is robbing us of some important reflections. And I hope you had a wonderful birthday :)
"Summer Sadness" is how my parents introduced that late-season nostalgia. It's incredibly potent for me as the days grow shorter. Thank you for the reminder to listen IN to that feeling-it's still there, just waiting for us to attune to it once more! So much easier said than done.
It's such a strange phenomenon. I think personally I have a tendency to want to dive as deep as I can into my feelings and emotions so that I can give them meaning, or explain them. But I've found that just doing "the next thing that feels good in my body" during this late season has been so eye opening for me.
Thank you 🍃🍂you captured what I’ve been experiencing these past few days eloquently. The weird sadness of something I couldn’t name, the gratitude for every sunrise and starshine... I must make a fire in the fire pit and just be. 💜
I think there is some solace in knowing this strange feeling we get towards the end of summer is somewhat universal <3 and fire pits are very good medicine :)
I am in love with synchronicity. I love the fact that the tighter I hold on to things, the more certain they are to slip away and the more I handle things slowly, deliberately, with intent and care, the deeper and more fulfilling the experience.
Your post resonated deeply with me but not so much in a literal way. As I began reading, my mind made a different connection. I will be turning 50years old in January. I have not been particularly bothered by it so far as some are. I revel in my wisdom and welcome the next step in my journey, away from mother and into crone. As I’m getting closer and thinking about how I might like to celebrate, some thoughts have crept in with some fear.
Your article gave me a different perspective and a little bit of peace. Turning 50, for me, is like August and the golden hour. It is a time when everything sparkles and shadows start to creep in. I don’t want to do disservice to your article. Maybe read it again from the perspective of someone preparing for the next stage in life. It is a time of harvest and slowing and appreciating but also of preparing for my future but also slowing and taking stock of my past. What will I take with me and what will I consciously let go of?
This article meant a lot to me. Every time I read it, I find more. It has been important to me. As you said, August is also a feeling and it has been lovely to dwell in that feeling for a while. Thank you!
Jamie, I love this shift of perspective. It makes me so happy to know you interpreted it in a way that relates to your own life, I think that is the goal of all artists/writers! And I think this August state of mind is a beautiful way to describe transitions in life. From mother to crone, and even from maiden to mother, or other big changes where something is lost, but the thing that is gained is so much more precious because of it. I've found the earth already has every lesson we need to learn playing out before us. It's beautiful and scary and mysterious all at the same time. Best wishes on your journey my friend!
This was a lovely post, entirely speaking to my feelings lately. Thank you. I struggled a lot throughout August, trying to find balance while 'attempting to grow' here on Substack. I struggled to use all of its features (daily) to create a 'community.' In the final week of August I felt a sort of clarity...
Gazing out at that big, bright, blue moon -- I finally felt a sense of peace. Something similar to what you've written about here...it is perfectly fine to simply, 'be.' To meet [myself] where [I am] mentally, physically, emotionally.
I've exhaled. And, I'm beginning September feeling much 'lighter.' Thank you for this lovely letter! ♡
Jessica I understand! I've recently started on Substack as well after solely focusing on IG/FB. It's both exciting and overwhelming to try and figure out how to make a new platform work. But, I will say that even if my audience is much smaller here, I feel so much more inspired, connected and free. Maybe you have similar feelings. At the end of the day I think it's all about the writing anyways.
It was such a beautiful moon too. I think of all of the people before light pollution was a thing, who learned so much just by observing the movements of the moon and stars. Our best lessons come in stillness rather than action I think.
Happiest September to you! May it be gold and beautiful.
Yes, I did Val, thank you - peaceful and reflective, with a great meal, made special with balcony herbs!
I tend to point out, without invitation, to those rushing into autumn that most of September is still summer: My most enjoyable and memorable vacations were spent by the ocean, from the 9th to 20th, with no crowds, lovely weather, and plenty of golden hours. Memories to savor endlessly.
That sounds so beautiful, so many beautiful memories behind and so many yet to come. You are so right about September too. You can feel autumn in the air in the mornings, but summer still is very much present. Golden hours by the ocean are absolutely magical.
I love your prose and how you connect the aspects of nature to the intangible philosophy of our inner world. Also, what you said about trying reminded me of a friend of mine who teaches theater. He asked his students to act out the verb "try". Ultimately, you can't. It's either do, or not do. Just like Yoda said. :)
Thank you so much for the kind words Maggie! I'm so glad to have you here! I also love that perspective and example about "try". You're so right, it's this unattainable pressure we put on ourselves that just leaves us more confused! And I think once I realized "not doing" was just as powerful as "doing", everything became much easier. There was no necessity for "try".
There is nothing so melancholy as a birthday in mid-August: Nothing speaks quite so eloquently to the soul as the golden hour that ushers in an annual end-eclipsed-by-beginning. Thank you...you know my soul.
I love your words Wendy, I think people so often want to rush into autumn without really diving into the deeper emotions that late August brings. I think I've seen it more than with any other seasonal transition. Yes fall is beautiful, but I think that urgency to transition is robbing us of some important reflections. And I hope you had a wonderful birthday :)
"Summer Sadness" is how my parents introduced that late-season nostalgia. It's incredibly potent for me as the days grow shorter. Thank you for the reminder to listen IN to that feeling-it's still there, just waiting for us to attune to it once more! So much easier said than done.
It's such a strange phenomenon. I think personally I have a tendency to want to dive as deep as I can into my feelings and emotions so that I can give them meaning, or explain them. But I've found that just doing "the next thing that feels good in my body" during this late season has been so eye opening for me.
Oh I love that SO much!! With late seasons come BOUNTIFUL wisdom, Val. Sounds like you are dancing with embodiment!! xoxox