Abby With The Rods

One year ago, I announced that I was leading my very first solo retreat.

Up until then, I had led 6 retreats, each with the help of a studio and/ or co-teacher. I *loved* each of those retreats, and was (and still am) extremely grateful for those experiences. But last year, I felt the itch to lead my very own - no co-teachers, no studio, just me, a retreat center, and a dream!

I remember posting the announcement on Instagram and immediately gasping. What if no one signed up? Or worse, what if people signed up but had a terrible time? I had no idea what would happen; I just knew that I needed to try...

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For years, every time my therapist asked me how I felt, I would start by saying, “I think…”

I still do it sometimes - especially when my feelings are complicated.

I do it when I’m nervous that my answer won’t make sense - or when I’m afraid that what I’m feeling is too big.

In those moments, my therapist would invite me to pause.

She would ask me to not talk, and to just sit for a moment, and notice my body....

Staying Embodied when the World is Exploding For years, every time my therapist asked me how I felt, I would start by saying, “I think…” I still do it sometimes - especially when my feelings are complicated. I do it when I’m nervous that my answer won’t make sense - or when I’m afraid that what I’m feeling is too big. In those mo...

We had been staring at each other for three minutes.

And in case you’ve never held sustained eye contact with someone for three minutes, let me assure you: it’s a lot longer than it sounds.

We had started out smiling, faded to comfortable recognition, then spent a few seconds blinking and moving from left eye to right eye before settling into a serious stare. There was a moment of terror when I saw her notice something in my eyes, then another when she saw me notice the same thing in hers. There was another moment when both our eyes started watering...

Confessions of An Extrovert Ironically, most of us desperately want to be seen and to be paid attention – but once we are, we panic. Our eyes dart, we laugh nervously.

Today's enewsletter ♥️

Let's not rush anymore. My dears: I’ve been to Switzerland and back, and to COVID and back, and now, I’m finally feeling like myself again. If there’s one thing this round of jet lag and corona have taught me, it’s that transitions take time. Nothing good comes from rushing.  Despite my plans to return home and di...