Hey Reader,
So, I have a confession to make: Today’s newsletter almost didn’t go out.
Not because I didn’t have anything to say… but because I could barely find the energy or attention to sit down and write it.
In fact, even getting out of bed was a struggle. I slept through my entire morning routine, and my freeze response was so activated that every time I went to get up, I’d somehow find myself in a black hole of doomscrolling only moments later.
I KNOW that some of it is my internal cycle... I am accustomed to the “world falling apart” temporarily when I’m hours away from bleeding. But I know that will normalize in about 48ish hours.
But it’s also the MULTIPLE open loops in my business and personal life. And when there’s too many tabs open in my beautiful brain, that’s exactly when I freeze.
So today, instead of pushing through or beating myself up for all the things I should have been doing, I actually did the opposite. I acknowledged the negative thoughts, and instead of letting them consume me, I praised myself for every damn thing I DID do, no matter what the size.
I praised myself for cleaning up my kitchen.
I praised myself for taking out the trash.
I praised myself for watering my plants.
And I praised myself for sitting down to write this email.
It’s this radical praise that got this email out to you. Because some days, getting back to basics is the ONLY thing that can free us from the freeze.
What's brewing
So if you've been feeling particularly heavy too lately... here’s your permission slip to take a step back and look at why.
Do you also have too many tabs open? Are the emotions of your cycle running the show? Maybe you’ve been feeling blocked for a bit longer than you’d like.
Whatever it is… please remember this: putting too much pressure on yourself almost always does the OPPOSITE of what you want it to.
You are the creator of your reality, and when those negative thoughts pop in, you can always acknowledge them, thank ‘em for sharing and decide to choose another thought.
The new moon today is all about coming home to yourself… to what actually feels like YOU instead of how you think you should be. And that’s the perfect energy for closing loops.
SO the question is: Which loops are you ready to close?
And do you have the support you need in order to close them?
For me, I’ve had two spaces in my community doing the job of one… and splitting everyone’s attention (including mine), so this month, I’m closing some BIG loops.
The Commons (the free space inside the Creative Alchemy Collective) will be closing at the end of July.
Creative Power Hour (Our twice weekly co-working, supported by sound,
AKA, the room where you can actually close your open loops) is moving into the Creative Alchemy Circle as another benefit of the paid membership.
And finally, The free Creative Burnout Recovery Series AND the Oracle Room are getting a facelift, so stay tuned for updates on both of those.
It’s a lot of little loops, but as each one of them close, I can feel the space opening.
A phrase my Dad taught me early on comes to mind in these moments filled with open loops… “How do you eat an elephant?”
And the answer is simple: One bite at a time.
JUST FOR YOU:
Creative AlCHEMY EXERCISE
Close a Loop - One bite at a time
This is a quick practice you can do to bounce back from the jungle of open loops.
All you need is a journal, pen and a timer set to 5 minutes.
Step 1: For 5 minutes, write down every open loop you can think of: half-baked projects, mail you haven't sent, unfinished conversations, clothes you've set aside but haven't donated yet, whatever else you should have done already…. anything currently living rent-free in your head. Just get it onto the page… no organizing or judging. This is your elephant.
Step 2: Look at the list and choose ONE thing. Make it tiny. The path of LEAST resistance. Something you could finish in 5 minutes or less. One bite that would make your shoulders drop just slightly, maybe even an exhale of calm. If nothing on the list is that small, take a bigger one and break it down until you find a bite that is.
For example: if your loop is "pay bills," your tiniest bite might just be opening your finance tracker and listing which bills need to be paid.
Step 3: Set your timer again for 5 minutes, and go take that micro-action.
That's it. You don't have to bite off more than you can chew. You just have to move on SOMETHING.
Step 4: Praise yourself. Give yourself the acknowledgement for completing the task. Give yourself permission to celebrate the win, because even the tiniest win opens up space.
(Want the fuller version of this… live, with sound actually helping you release what surfaces? We're doing that in the CAC workshop this Friday. See below for details.)
WANT TO SEE ME OR MY WORK LIVE?
Upcoming SESSIONS & Events:
FRIDAY, JULY 17th - CREATIVE ALCHEMY WORKSHOP
Inside the Creative Alchemy Circle • 4PM GMT+1 | 11AM ET
Included in your CAC membership are monthly creative workshops. This month is: Back to Basics: Close Your Loops & Find Your Rhythm - Identify and release the loops that are keeping you stuck, so you can refocus your energy on what matters most. Join the workshop and CAC for only $17 →
FRIDAY, JULY 17th - WHEELHOUSE OPEN HOUSE
Wheelhouse Lisboa - Rua do Condo 9 • 19h30-21h30 GMT+1
I'll be pulling tarot cards in the back for anyone looking to join an evening of connection, celebration and community. Event is donation based.
Learn more →
EVERY TUESDAY & FRIDAY - CREATIVE POWER HOUR
FREE inside the Creative Alchemy Collective (until the end of July)
3PM GMT+1 | 10AM ET
Twice a week every week I host a co-working study hall using sound to help you stay focused on your creative projects. Pop in and join us while it's still free for all! Join us at the next one for free →
EVERY TUESDAY - CREATIVE THREADS
Inside the Creative Alchemy Circle • 4PM GMT+1 | 11AM ET
Our weekly accountability call for creatives looking to focus on building a sustainable creative practice. Join the CAC for only $17 →
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Until next time, be gentle with yourself... you're doing better than you think.
With love and creativity,
Kat ❤️
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
— Lao Tzu