Please excuse the unoriginal headline. I’m sure the google search for that line yields an extensive list of poorly maintained weblogs such as mine own. I’ve been on a little journey of evolution lately and it’s literally “in the stars” for me to rekindle my love of writing.

Fun fact about this now 50-something lady: I’ve become quite the astrology girlie. I mean, I’ve always identified with my sun sign. Geminis are A LOT. However, the light interest turned into heavy interest during the Pandemic and I went all-in once I subscribed the pay service of the Chani Nichols app. Not only has the app been able to shed light on my Rising (Taurus) and Moon (Virgo) signs but it’s also given me context around houses and planets and what-exactly-the-fuck Mercury in Retrograde actually is. It also features helpful rituals and meditations that I find grounding and introspective. In fact, the daily meditations have brought a consistently to my practice that I’d be unable to achieve previously. Ideally, I start each day with reading my horoscope via the app, spend 30 minutes journaling and then solidify the practice with the featured meditation. On mornings that I don’t have time for all of that, I’ll tack on the meditation after a workout or even before bed. And while I’m still not perfect, the fact that I’ve been regularly meditating 3-4x a week for a while now is sustained consistency that I’m proud of.

The reason I bring up all this astrology is that the current alignments have had me releasing a lot of old habits as well as doing shadow work on change and evolution. It’s had me letting go of some negative habits that I developed over the years (and maybe proved more problematic during lock-down) while also leaning into what I really want, where I find passion and ensuring I’m putting a priority on those passion projects in my life.

The common theme I keep coming back to is writing. Storytelling is such an important art form. And while I’ve let it, as a hobby for me, disappear for the most part due to different commitments and priorities, the fact that I haven’t had writing as an outlet has left a void that I feel deeply. I’ve also realized that this void has also included the fact that I don’t regularly run anymore. And, if you know anything about me in my younger years, I was an avid runner having completed dozens and dozens of races including 6 marathons and countless halves. The running thing is no longer great for my body which I miss. But I had a bit of an eureka moment a few days ago when I realized that all of that training and those long runs were consistent appointments for me with just my thoughts. That time pounding the pavement produced a prolific catalog of posts that I would publish on the world wide web.

My runs have turned into walks these past few years. But those walks aren’t the same. I own two huskies (one of which is a reactive dog) so I’m less in my thoughts during these miles with the pups since I need to be more intentional with my animal and their behavior. I’m also, in general, more distracted and unfocused than ever. My daily tiktok habit is no help. And these are all the excuses that I use as to why I no longer post — or no longer “have the time” to post.

I want to change that, though.

I did make an important first step – the morning journal pages that I mentioned previously in this post. It’s a stream of conscious pen-to-paper session that is messy, unorganized and private. It’s cathartic and provides a brain dump that ideally sets myself up for the day or week ahead.

What these pages AREN’T are publishable material – or even interesting to anyone else at all. The practice serves an important purpose but it is not totally satisfying the itch… if you get my drift.

So, here I am again, blowing the dust off of this old WordPress site and hoping to find some outlet and fun in putting thoughts to keyboard. It’s not like I’m at a loss for material. I could publish a half dozen posts about this journey through perimenopause to menopause alone especially as I’ve been learning in this department (albeit a little later than would have been optimal).

Then there is rescue dog Betty whom we adopted about 18 months ago – and the efforts that it’s taken to bring her into her own state of confidence and less fear of the world. I can’t believe I haven’t published a single word about that.

There was also the chin liposuction experience I had, now almost two years ago. Those who have followed me along on my instagram have an idea of what THAT was all about. A procedure I now both regret but also don’t regret?

And what about all the trips??? So many good trips including Glacier National Park, Zion and even the Caucaus Mountains in the country of Georgia. Have I become a backpacker? I guess you could say that I have…

I’ve also entered my 50th decade. I’m still processing the loss of my mom on the 5th anniversary of her passing. James and I are about to celebrate 30 (yes, T-H-I-R-T-Y!!!!) years of marriage.

I’ve got some stuff to say.

So, tap, tap, tap.

Maybe I’m back. 😉