Embodied Life Transitions

“Until you make the unconscious, conscious, it will rule your life and you will call it Fate” - Carl Jung So I’ve been re- listening to Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott Ph.D as I prepare to head back to Joshua Tree later this month to help coordinate our next retreat weaving shadow into the erotic work we do with women at Back to the Body™. This is my second year of being on the teaching team, and what I have learned in retreat work is we are “in it” just as much as the women attending - and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I had this moment as I was listening & walking along the river near my home. The author had written that the situations, traits we most avoid are the window into the subconscious, our own existential kink. And I had this thought - “What if conflict actually turns me on?” So I sat with that a bit and began to make a mental list of what has been the impact of conflict, how it shows up, what I get from it. Conflict gets me creative, motiviated, energized - you tell me I can’t do something I will prove you wrong. Conflict creates distance, desire and wanting and in that there lives excitement. Conflict creates a sense of accomplishment, that I am fixer, bridger, mediator. A sense of importance in the world. Conflict makes me feel seen, heard, or even possibly find connection with another over a bigger “common threat”. And of course there is the deliciousness of making up, coming back together. On the darker side, conflict creates a sense of not me, not mine, being done to, blame, a lack of responsibility, self righteousness or an absolution of bad behavior. I have avoided conflict my whole life - but what if I’ve actually energetically welcomed it in? - I’m still sitting with that one. I can tell you this, the next time I feel in conflict, I’m going to get curious without judgement or shame and look for the turn-on in it for me… and see what happens. Wishing you much love, pleasure & desire this Summer Christie❤️

There’s something about summer that makes the rules feel… breakable.

Warm summer nights.
Lingering eye contact & summer flings.
The way your body seems to hum a little louder under sun-warmed skin.

Vacation plans.
This isn’t accidental.

Summer has always been a co-conspirator with desire.

And erotic play?
It thrives this season.

Not the polished, performative kind.
The real kind. The kind that might surprise you.
The kind that doesn’t ask for approval before it unfolds.

The kind that makes you feel young & maybe just a bit reckless.

Erotic play can be subtle… or it can feel a little dangerous in all the best ways.

This is the time of year where control loosens its grip.
Where you get to experiment with being less “put together”…
and more honest.
Less contained…
messy
and more felt.

Because underneath all the roles, expectations, and responsibilities—
there’s a version of you that knows exactly how to play.

Summer brings out that part of us. Our bodies remember what it felt like to be that free.

The question is:
Will you let her?

No pressure. No performance.
Just a quiet rebellion that connects you back to who you’ve always been.

Summer won’t last forever.
But the part of you this season awakens?

She’s not going anywhere.

Wishing you much love, play & pleasure!
Christie☀️💖😎

Photo is little Christie - circa 1975 “ish”

Next Between the Covers Book Club is gathering Wednesday May 20th, 7pm at Ruby’s Books in Historic Folsom. We are talking about a classic & one of my favs! Esther Perel’s “Mating in Captivity”. Ruby’s has copies in stock, grab your copy this weekend.

And with all my book clubs finishing it is always optional, come for the community & discussion!

Christie❤️