Wow! I am overwhelmed with gratitude. “May this new portion of your life be so phenomenal it blows your heart” is sticking with me so much that I want to write it somewhere I can see it every day, and remember this beautiful blessing! From the bottom of my heart, thank you Priscilla. I am so happy that you could connect with this essay!
Felt this deep! Currently navigating the changes of my solar return but the structures are being rebuilt and my faith is being tested and I’ve never felt more aligned in my life. I wrote an article about “I didn’t just quit my job. I quit my lifestyle.” That for me was the biggest loss of comfort that has sent me a ride full of new beginnings.
And so I love this. It really got into the feelings that serve as catalyst for something has to change. I love seeing so many people dive into their authentic lifestyles and navigating life with the compass of the heart. ❤️
Marasia, that’s amazing!! It takes so much courage to leave what is comfortable for what is most authentic to you! I know you’re exactly on the right path, and can’t wait to read your article. Cheers to these new beginnings no matter how challenging! It’ll be worth it 💛
This post is so alive. I can feel your energy and your unfolding in every word and it is empowering. The depth and analysis is real. And all of these quotes give me life!! It's inspiring to witness you in this way literally creating the life of your wildest dreams with consideration for all things involved. I always feel this way with your writing Ayanna but this post is like a strong breeze, I can literally feel you pivoting and I am deeply excited for you. I'm just offering gratitude, love, more healing, and lots of goodness your way as you enter this new chapter. It's going to be so beautiful for you xx
Thank you Amara!! There does seem to be an energy moving through me as I write about this powerful change, and it’s amazing that you can feel that too. Crossing paths with you was such a huge catalyst for setting me on my own path and removing all the fear/blockages to live audaciously, as you say! I feel so phenomenally grateful for you and your blessings, and it’s going to be a full-circle moment when we meet one day during our nomadic adventures. I can’t wait :)
Thank you, Em! I’m grateful that it resonated with you :) Experiencing these different seasons are what make us human, and I love how we can all relate in our own unique ways <3
Hi Ayanna, as always, I loved the post. Something that always sticks out to me about your writing is how, you and I are very different ends of any number of spectrums, but because we're both going in a similar "direction" I feel a connection to you and your writing.
What stuck out to me about this post in particular, it made me think about...well honestly, the lack of relationships in my life, and both the positives and negatives of that path. I've definitely had more freedom to pursue my interests, education, and career, but also the draw backs of not really having the love and companionship of another person.
I was very fortunate to have my dog Hunter S. Thompson ,who was my best friend and most loyal companion during the bulk of this journey, but unfortunately, she developed an extremely aggressive bone cancer on her face and she crossed the rainbow bridge 3 weeks ago today. She was always what I poured my love into, like a vessel, and she returned the love with loyalty and companionship.
I'm definitely missing her presence in my life, which also made me reflect on my "lack" of human relationships, outside of family, but what's the most interesting about all of these forces coming together (which your writing sparked and made me realized) is that actually I am quite happy with the path I've chosen, where my own spirit and interests are really all I've had to take into consideration, and I'm beginning to embrace and love the solitude which has been a consistent partner for these past few decades.
Best of luck in Mexico City, that should definitely be quite the adventure, and I look forward to your writing!
Joaquin, your support is truly remarkable! Thank you so much for leaving such insightful comments, I’m happy to know that my words allow you to reflect and be introspective.
Yes, love and companionship is so important, and how beautiful to have your dog by your side throughout your years of solitude - I believe our pets can be our soulmates, and I have definitely experienced that special bond as well. I’m so sorry for your loss of your best friend :( I lost my cat to an aggressive cancer as well last month and pet loss is so incredibly devastating to watch them suffer - I wish you healing.
I’m glad that you are embracing the path you’ve chosen, and I hope that you are able to experience more connections with people who are walking in the same direction. I’m claiming that for myself as well!
And thank you! I’m looking forward to your next essay, by the way! :)
Jada, your sweet comment means so much to me! Thank you for choosing to spend time reading my words at the beach, that is so lovely and I’m glad that it could bring some softness to your morning<3
“My solitude is sweet, and to disturb it you need to be sweeter” is EXACTLY the energy I am claiming as I move forward. Thank you so, so much for sharing this.
Yes!! No matter which shape we choose, it is ours and that is such a beautiful thing. I’m so grateful for readers like you, Jada!
AHHH I accidentally deleted this beautiful comment when trying to edit mine. Clearly still getting the hang of Substack after almost a year lol. Sorry @fujijada!
Original comment: "I absolutely ate this piece up while at the beach this morning, soaking in the sun and your words and finding so many pockets and quotes that made me feel like a kid in a candy store— I am yet to experience my first Saturn return, but a lot of sentiments (and the Mary Oliver quote, what a treat!!!) in your writing I can relate to. It reminds me of a quote on the topic of loneliness that I wrote in my journal after a break up last year:
“My solitude is sweet, and to disturb it you need to be sweeter.” Truly, we are the extra sugar in our cups of tea; the sweetness that ripens our individual and collective experiences.
This read was such a blessing, our life is OURS! Sweet or not, square or round. I adored every minute of this."
Felt every word in my bones.
This is such a beautiful depiction of change and its visceral dimension.
May this new portion of your life be so phenomenal it blows your heart.
Wow! I am overwhelmed with gratitude. “May this new portion of your life be so phenomenal it blows your heart” is sticking with me so much that I want to write it somewhere I can see it every day, and remember this beautiful blessing! From the bottom of my heart, thank you Priscilla. I am so happy that you could connect with this essay!
Felt this deep! Currently navigating the changes of my solar return but the structures are being rebuilt and my faith is being tested and I’ve never felt more aligned in my life. I wrote an article about “I didn’t just quit my job. I quit my lifestyle.” That for me was the biggest loss of comfort that has sent me a ride full of new beginnings.
And so I love this. It really got into the feelings that serve as catalyst for something has to change. I love seeing so many people dive into their authentic lifestyles and navigating life with the compass of the heart. ❤️
Marasia, that’s amazing!! It takes so much courage to leave what is comfortable for what is most authentic to you! I know you’re exactly on the right path, and can’t wait to read your article. Cheers to these new beginnings no matter how challenging! It’ll be worth it 💛
So so good! So excited about your adventures. How you’ll experience them and how you’ll write them.
Thank you Diamonde!! 💕
Felt a release as I read this. Thank you for this gift.
I’m just seeing your comment, Marc! Thank you for receiving my words 🙏🏽
Love!
This post is so alive. I can feel your energy and your unfolding in every word and it is empowering. The depth and analysis is real. And all of these quotes give me life!! It's inspiring to witness you in this way literally creating the life of your wildest dreams with consideration for all things involved. I always feel this way with your writing Ayanna but this post is like a strong breeze, I can literally feel you pivoting and I am deeply excited for you. I'm just offering gratitude, love, more healing, and lots of goodness your way as you enter this new chapter. It's going to be so beautiful for you xx
Thank you Amara!! There does seem to be an energy moving through me as I write about this powerful change, and it’s amazing that you can feel that too. Crossing paths with you was such a huge catalyst for setting me on my own path and removing all the fear/blockages to live audaciously, as you say! I feel so phenomenally grateful for you and your blessings, and it’s going to be a full-circle moment when we meet one day during our nomadic adventures. I can’t wait :)
I love this post, I think it’s so beautiful to reflect upon different seasons of solitude/reconstructing ourselves… powerful words
Thank you, Em! I’m grateful that it resonated with you :) Experiencing these different seasons are what make us human, and I love how we can all relate in our own unique ways <3
Hi Ayanna, as always, I loved the post. Something that always sticks out to me about your writing is how, you and I are very different ends of any number of spectrums, but because we're both going in a similar "direction" I feel a connection to you and your writing.
What stuck out to me about this post in particular, it made me think about...well honestly, the lack of relationships in my life, and both the positives and negatives of that path. I've definitely had more freedom to pursue my interests, education, and career, but also the draw backs of not really having the love and companionship of another person.
I was very fortunate to have my dog Hunter S. Thompson ,who was my best friend and most loyal companion during the bulk of this journey, but unfortunately, she developed an extremely aggressive bone cancer on her face and she crossed the rainbow bridge 3 weeks ago today. She was always what I poured my love into, like a vessel, and she returned the love with loyalty and companionship.
I'm definitely missing her presence in my life, which also made me reflect on my "lack" of human relationships, outside of family, but what's the most interesting about all of these forces coming together (which your writing sparked and made me realized) is that actually I am quite happy with the path I've chosen, where my own spirit and interests are really all I've had to take into consideration, and I'm beginning to embrace and love the solitude which has been a consistent partner for these past few decades.
Best of luck in Mexico City, that should definitely be quite the adventure, and I look forward to your writing!
Joaquin, your support is truly remarkable! Thank you so much for leaving such insightful comments, I’m happy to know that my words allow you to reflect and be introspective.
Yes, love and companionship is so important, and how beautiful to have your dog by your side throughout your years of solitude - I believe our pets can be our soulmates, and I have definitely experienced that special bond as well. I’m so sorry for your loss of your best friend :( I lost my cat to an aggressive cancer as well last month and pet loss is so incredibly devastating to watch them suffer - I wish you healing.
I’m glad that you are embracing the path you’ve chosen, and I hope that you are able to experience more connections with people who are walking in the same direction. I’m claiming that for myself as well!
And thank you! I’m looking forward to your next essay, by the way! :)
Blessings on the new 💕
Thank you, Irie!! I receive this fully :)
This was so timely lol and beautifully written ✨ thank you
Jada, your sweet comment means so much to me! Thank you for choosing to spend time reading my words at the beach, that is so lovely and I’m glad that it could bring some softness to your morning<3
“My solitude is sweet, and to disturb it you need to be sweeter” is EXACTLY the energy I am claiming as I move forward. Thank you so, so much for sharing this.
Yes!! No matter which shape we choose, it is ours and that is such a beautiful thing. I’m so grateful for readers like you, Jada!
AHHH I accidentally deleted this beautiful comment when trying to edit mine. Clearly still getting the hang of Substack after almost a year lol. Sorry @fujijada!
Original comment: "I absolutely ate this piece up while at the beach this morning, soaking in the sun and your words and finding so many pockets and quotes that made me feel like a kid in a candy store— I am yet to experience my first Saturn return, but a lot of sentiments (and the Mary Oliver quote, what a treat!!!) in your writing I can relate to. It reminds me of a quote on the topic of loneliness that I wrote in my journal after a break up last year:
“My solitude is sweet, and to disturb it you need to be sweeter.” Truly, we are the extra sugar in our cups of tea; the sweetness that ripens our individual and collective experiences.
This read was such a blessing, our life is OURS! Sweet or not, square or round. I adored every minute of this."