Hello dear ones,
My bestie got married on Saturday and last week was a bit chaotic preparing to come back to Canada, making a pit stop along the way to run a workshop (more on that to come)! Chaotic week = chaotic newsletter and no “Wounding/Wanting Diary.” I wanted to take a moment to share some glimmers — a term that comes from polyvagal practitioner Deb Dana. Glimmers are the opposite of triggers: things that help your nervous system feel safe, connected, secure — as well as some things that are on the horizon.
Glimmers
Running my first in-person workshop since 2019!!! This year I was contacted by The Bows gallery in Calgary, Alberta and asked to make a billboard for them. I was gobsmacked by this offer, and when they told me that they loved my furbies memes, I knew what I had to do!
To make this an even more special opportunity, The Bows asked if I wanted to run a workshop for them. I was told I could do this online, but I knew that I’d be not too far away for my bestie’s wedding, so I ran a brand new workshop: Memes for Healing!! Together, we collaged our own memes and the results were so incredible!
I’ve long missed being able to share space IRL with human beings in a space where we’re co-creating together. And there’s truly nothing more magical than a group of strangers sharing some vulnerable, healing feels with you. With everyone masked up and Chappell Roan playing in the background, we made some healing memes together.
Speaking of healing, my bestie got married!! Natalie and I have known each other for almost 20 years and it is through our relationship that I learnt about what secure attachment truly is. In my speech to Natalie and her partner Leila, which I had the pleasure of writing with our other bestie Varia, I shared how “Together, we learnt what real intimacy looks like. That to be truly loved is to be loved in your messiness as well as your beauty. That, in fact, our messiness if part of what makes us so beautiful to begin with.”
In addition to crying from basically the second Natalie and Leila stepped up to the altar, I also got to do some very cathartic dancing. My partner and I have been so disappointed by numerous queer dance parties we’ve tried to attend in LA over the past year, so getting to bust some moves on the dance floor and sweat my butt off (see evidence in the above photo) was a real high.
My final glimmer from the past week has been witnessing so much magic in the Softcore Trauma Community Discord. Here are a few snapshots of what things are looking like over there (shared with consent from the OPs).
I also really didn’t know that I needed a channel where folks could share their pet photos, but WOW is it one of my favorite things in the world now.
Upcoming
Speaking of the STCD, this Saturday from 2-4pm PT is our first live event: a welcome party and mixer for folks in the space!!! Come and join us for an opportunity to be in community and get to know one another. As part of the event there will be optional breakout groups that will function a little bit like speed dating (though less speedy and less datey) where you can get to know others a bit more intimately. There will also be time for a community Q&A.
The day after I’ll be doing my very first zine fest!!!!! If you’re in LA or the surrounding area, I’d love to meet you IRL. The event is totally free and is happening from 11am-6pm in the Arts District. Learn more here.
Okay friends, that all I have capacity for ATM. Thanks for making it all the way to the end! If you’re feeling called to support me and this writing, here are a few ways you can do so!
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So much goodness!!! 💗💗💗