How to Heal
Last month I listened to the podcast episode “How to Heal” with Alex Elle and loved it so much.
Alex Elle is a NYT Bestselling Author, certified breathwork coach, and Restorative Writing teacher.
On the episode Alex talks about how knowing what she didn’t want, and preparing for unplanned motherhood, put her on the path to not only breaking cycles of operating in survival mode but also on a path to healing.
“When we heal ourselves, we heal each other.”
This discussion on healing is so relevant right now as many of us have struggled over the past few years - for various reasons. Social justice movements as well have opened our eyes to the need for healing in the United States, in our communities, in our relationships, and in ourselves. We’ve recently also started to hear more about generational trauma, and have been learning that cycles can perpetuate in families for years.
One of the things I loved most about this interview was the focus on truth and joy amidst the hard things. Alex says we do need to face the truth of our wounds, and she also talks about the joy that can be found in this work. This part was particularly moving (around the 26 min mark).
“People get scared by the word healing.
Healing is not just tackling the trauma. Healing is also a celebration of joy … I don’t have to be healing just to fix that thing that hurt me … I can be healing and have that be this deep celebration of ‘I’m still here today.’ Getting out of bed is healing … going to therapy is healing … going for morning walks is healing. That’s a celebration of joy.
How do we get people, especially women, to understand that our aliveness is enough to start the process.”
- ALEX ELLE, NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR
The episode is available anywhere you get podcasts (Overcast, Spotify, Apple, Youtube etc).
Below are links to Alex Elle’s work. I’m excited to dive into more in the coming months.
Dying Empty
I love everything about London Writer’s Salon including how they start every session with words of wisdom. Below are today’s words - they lit a fire for me, maybe they will for someone else too.
“The most valuable real estate in the world is the graveyard.
There lie millions of half-written books, ideas never launched, and talents never developed. Most people die with everything still inside of them. The way to live is to create. Die empty. Get every idea out of your head and into reality.
Calling yourself creative doesn’t make it true. Make finishing your top priority.”
– Derek Sivers, How to Live
City Lights
The San Francisco Bay Bridge is actually my favorite (under the condition that it’s nighttime) compared to the more widely appreciated Golden Gate Bridge. Here’s a photo of her at dusk, taken last Friday.
Other great things named after City Lights: