a pause for august
+ pics of my new backyard (!)
I write to you from August and from my new home in the Mojave desert. Last week, I shared with those following my meditations in clay project about how I’ve fallen hard for the quiet, slow desert life these past months. Taking my pup for hikes before I settle in at my desk for the day's work; the stars that light up my sense of awe in the evenings; the hares and bobcats and mountain lions (!) in my yard, reminding me of the nature and curiosity of my existence.
I didn’t expect to land in this desert - far from it, actually. I don’t know a soul and haven’t spent much time here - though over four years ago, I actually eloped, a bit randomly, though with a lot of thought and care, at the base of the mountain that now stands in my backyard. Life is funny when you let it be, huh?
A handful of months ago, when my plans were vastly different, I could feel things weren’t unfolding in a way that felt aligned - I was forcing and striving and feeling in my bones that something wasn’t right. So I paused and sat with discomfort and the fact that I simply did not know. I didn’t have answers for myself or for anyone who was asking, and I learned to be okay with that for a while. I breathed and pinched my clay and felt into my feelings and learned to release and did what I could with what I had. Eventually, in a time warp that felt like years but was, in reality, a few months, things began to unfold in ways that felt more aligned, that were bringing a sense of ease to my bones.
I’m not quite there yet, but I know I’m feeling grounded in my body and in my spirit and in my work in a way I never have. My creativity feels freshly unblocked and my heart feels at home.
August is funny, it’s a time of slowness and also often a time of travel. Last year, this combination led me to a slow, unplugged week in the Grand Canyon that drew wisdom I still draw from and likely will forever. This year, I’ll be slow here at home. I’ll be seeing my clients and making things out of a new-to-me black clay and sewing together pieces of fabric gathered from the places I’ve healed these past months. I’ll be listening to the silence and to my records spinning round and round; I’ll be hiking with my pup every day; I’ll be planning for upcoming workshops, both virtually and in NYC in the fall; I’ll be falling more in love with this place I now call home.
I invite you to take a moment to consider: what intentions are you holding for the month ahead?
I’m only hosting one workshop this summer and it came to me in what felt like a fever dream, pouring from my hands and into the empty word doc. If you’re at least one ounce creative (aka if you are a human), this workshop is for you! Grab your spot here.
my therapy practice books are open for new yorkers! i love working with humans who are feeling anxious, working through grief and frustration and transitions, wanting to process past traumatic events. send me an email to schedule a free consult! *please know that, because of licensing, you must be based in new york state for us to work together!*
my creative ritual and grounding sessions are a beautiful space of healing and connection and i’m grateful to offer them far and wide. learn more about how you can ground with me using clay and your breath + find your way if you’re feeling a little unsteady here (and use the code HEALINGCLAY for $11 off!)
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⋰ email: grace@gracecady.com