November and Finding the Light

Well, we have made it to November. Slightly different vibe than the beginning of my October blog, but this month it feels a bit different. I don't know about you, but the impending election is stressing me out! Let's take a collective deep breath....

I was reflecting earlier today on 2024, and decided that it has been one of the hardest years of my life. A mess of broken bones, cancer scares and diagnoses, job changes, and untimely deaths, and at times it's left me feeling angry, anxious, and exhausted. In the wake of my dear friend's death just one month ago, I am rattled by the physical and emotional toll that grief has had on me. I am left with the repeating thought that life is fleeting, that nothing is guaranteed, and that being in one's late 40s definitely sucks. And while I am an optimist by nature, I share this to let you know that if you're going through a dark time, I really get it.

But we can't let the dark times get us down for long. Yes, we must feel our feelings, express our anger, rage and cry and shake our fists at the sky. But we also must cling to the good days, the little pockets of reprieve that arrive with a sunny day or a shared laugh. I've been leaning into my little meditation practice- I'm doing a very cool series on the Aura Health app called "Letting Grace In." It takes about 10 minutes each morning and has really been helping me tune into the present, release anxiety about the future, and be grateful for what is in my life right now. If you want to check it out, you can try Aura for free by clicking this link. I'm always happy to spread the good word about anything that's working for me, in case it resonates with you too.

(Other things that are fun right now: Dancing in dark rooms, keeping up with my Duolingo streak, meal planning with my husband, a Schitt's Creek rewatch, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, working in the cafe while Anna is at ballet class and then letting her meet me afterwards, Gilmore Girls style.)

And so, with the dark comes the arrival of light. October was a thrilling month for work related things. I spoke on a panel about women's health at the She Leads Live conference in NYC, and had a fruitful work trip to my hometown of Pittsburgh, where I got to create new opportunities AND spend a long weekend with my family. I attended a screening for the M Factor movie with 150 other midlife women (check out the film for free here), and signed a partnership deal that inspires me. Funny, isn't it, that the pendulum of life can swing so wildly from the low moments to the high! At best of times, I feel insanely lucky. At worst of times, I feel just plain insane. Ya feel me?

And so we enter the eleventh month of 2024, charged with anticipation for what's to come. With the election looming and the year's end in our sight, the ether is crackling with anticipation. So I hope you'll join me on my quest to find the light, as we dive headfirst into the dark season. It is very possible, my dears, that we ARE the very light we seek.

xo

Erika