your book "Girl Trouble" , the attraction to it, the road to promote it are amazing amazing accomplishments! In our area we are lucky to have so many talented writers who DELIVER when it comes to writing, incredibly lucky! Forever forward your book will help people find what they imagine to interpret from what you created. It's no wonder that you are depleted , its a lot. Anyhow when I am depleted I walk in the woods , on the mountain, especially in the morning or at sunset; I swim in our crisp clear water (Especially Harriman or the Ocean ); I dance (there is incredible summer music to make your feet very happy , NEXT Stage , so many options; I go to other town's farmers markets, hang and absorb, talk, eat, dig their vibe Greenfield, Northampton, Amherst, Shelburne Falls; I visit a CSA! some let you you pick flowers , pick yerself out a bunch or a few bunches so fun. May the light around you lift your heart, discovery send you, and your down time fill up your depletion
David thank you so much for this! the affirmation about Girl Trouble and the acknowledgment that it's been A LOT. Love your ideas for filling the well with walking, swimming, dancing, picking flowers. 🌻
And I am with you too. Just read your beautiful essay and it deeply resonated. I think we need to keep sharing the full truth of how we are holding up in these times, even if— especially if— we are not ok.
Have missed you Diana! “We must be discerning about how we spend our precious life force.”
Brilliant! You have stated the practice of an awakened life. Continuously attempting to embody. Loving the way you sing to that exquisite balance of suffering and joy. Deep bow.
Also, grateful to you for pointing to Jane Kenyon’s Having it out with Melancholy. Totally dancing with her words, for they remind me of a time decades ago, when I was there, and my tortoise shell cat, Hickory, saved me by interrupting the bloodletting.
These days of darkness and light, when depleted, I invoke a transfusion into Doing No Thing by sinking into the body and sensing it naturally extinguishing itself as it dives into emptiness. Or binge on Silo, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and/or Nordic Noirs. Amazing potions!
And on a totally selfish note, could MA (via Portugal) :-) be included among the venerable New England sisters? Only be 1 hour away in September, and would love to write with you again!
Just got the update that the September Writing Retreat is now open to writers in MA-- you qualify! Would love to write with you again. Find all the details and the application HERE: https://www.weareoutintheopen.org/2026-fall-writing-retreat
oh Ryū I've missed you too! Love all of these reflections here, and your language-- "the exquisite balance of suffering and joy" Your invocation of Doing No Thing sounds delicious and I vow to try it.
Thank you for the show recommendations too, had not even heard of any of these! It would be amazing to write with you again. I will ask our ED at Out in the Open about the geographic requirement (but fear it is limited to those 3 states)... I hope we'll connect another time ❤️
When I'm depleted I give myself permission to do whatever the hell I want. A walk in the woods is high on my list, as is an afternoon hanging out on my screened porch with an engaging book. Sometimes I make some art (small projects: a watercolor still life of Flowers in a vase; a cyanotype card, using objects from nature, to give to a friend). Restful activities, which are ultimately regenerative.
Also, Diana, although I don't tend towards depression, I definitely felt a bit melancholic and adrift after my book launch talks were all done, over two years ago. I settled into writing (typically weekly) on Sunstack. That helped, but mostly I just needed to adjust to that project being over. Easier said than done.
Ann, thank you for this! I went for a hike in the woods this afternoon despite my fatigue, and it was good for body and soul. Now I'm thinking about permission to do whatever the hell I want... and what that would look like.
It's validating to hear that other authors have also felt adrift post book-launch. Maybe I'll write an essay about this experience someday and interview other writers.
your book "Girl Trouble" , the attraction to it, the road to promote it are amazing amazing accomplishments! In our area we are lucky to have so many talented writers who DELIVER when it comes to writing, incredibly lucky! Forever forward your book will help people find what they imagine to interpret from what you created. It's no wonder that you are depleted , its a lot. Anyhow when I am depleted I walk in the woods , on the mountain, especially in the morning or at sunset; I swim in our crisp clear water (Especially Harriman or the Ocean ); I dance (there is incredible summer music to make your feet very happy , NEXT Stage , so many options; I go to other town's farmers markets, hang and absorb, talk, eat, dig their vibe Greenfield, Northampton, Amherst, Shelburne Falls; I visit a CSA! some let you you pick flowers , pick yerself out a bunch or a few bunches so fun. May the light around you lift your heart, discovery send you, and your down time fill up your depletion
David thank you so much for this! the affirmation about Girl Trouble and the acknowledgment that it's been A LOT. Love your ideas for filling the well with walking, swimming, dancing, picking flowers. 🌻
Congrats on all the good stuff going on! And wow am I WITH YOU ON ALL THE DARK STUFF
And I am with you too. Just read your beautiful essay and it deeply resonated. I think we need to keep sharing the full truth of how we are holding up in these times, even if— especially if— we are not ok.
P.S. and don't miss the Full Moon in Aquarius Wednesday, 29th @ 10:36 am ET!
Yes! I'm ready for some lunation... maybe time for another tarot reading?
Have missed you Diana! “We must be discerning about how we spend our precious life force.”
Brilliant! You have stated the practice of an awakened life. Continuously attempting to embody. Loving the way you sing to that exquisite balance of suffering and joy. Deep bow.
Also, grateful to you for pointing to Jane Kenyon’s Having it out with Melancholy. Totally dancing with her words, for they remind me of a time decades ago, when I was there, and my tortoise shell cat, Hickory, saved me by interrupting the bloodletting.
These days of darkness and light, when depleted, I invoke a transfusion into Doing No Thing by sinking into the body and sensing it naturally extinguishing itself as it dives into emptiness. Or binge on Silo, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, and/or Nordic Noirs. Amazing potions!
And on a totally selfish note, could MA (via Portugal) :-) be included among the venerable New England sisters? Only be 1 hour away in September, and would love to write with you again!
Just got the update that the September Writing Retreat is now open to writers in MA-- you qualify! Would love to write with you again. Find all the details and the application HERE: https://www.weareoutintheopen.org/2026-fall-writing-retreat
oh Ryū I've missed you too! Love all of these reflections here, and your language-- "the exquisite balance of suffering and joy" Your invocation of Doing No Thing sounds delicious and I vow to try it.
Thank you for the show recommendations too, had not even heard of any of these! It would be amazing to write with you again. I will ask our ED at Out in the Open about the geographic requirement (but fear it is limited to those 3 states)... I hope we'll connect another time ❤️
Omg, I am experiencing the SAME THING. thank you for writing this and saying it out loud! <3 Wishing us both rebirth.
OMG Meg, would love to talk about this when we are both recovered. Sending you ease and deep rest
Same to you!!
Love this and love you, D!
sending big love back, R!
When I'm depleted I give myself permission to do whatever the hell I want. A walk in the woods is high on my list, as is an afternoon hanging out on my screened porch with an engaging book. Sometimes I make some art (small projects: a watercolor still life of Flowers in a vase; a cyanotype card, using objects from nature, to give to a friend). Restful activities, which are ultimately regenerative.
Also, Diana, although I don't tend towards depression, I definitely felt a bit melancholic and adrift after my book launch talks were all done, over two years ago. I settled into writing (typically weekly) on Sunstack. That helped, but mostly I just needed to adjust to that project being over. Easier said than done.
Ann, thank you for this! I went for a hike in the woods this afternoon despite my fatigue, and it was good for body and soul. Now I'm thinking about permission to do whatever the hell I want... and what that would look like.
It's validating to hear that other authors have also felt adrift post book-launch. Maybe I'll write an essay about this experience someday and interview other writers.
Beautifully expressed. 💚💚💚
thank you dear Amy ❤️❤️❤️