Oh man, it's been a month since my last post?!? Whoops. I've been working through so much stuff and the fog is starting to lift, which feels magical. I'm telling you, the combination of coaching and therapy is gold! 

This week I had a call with my coach on Wednesday and therapy on Thursday. The conversations were similar, because the block I'm currently working through is freaking giant and casts a shadow over many parts of my life. I had just finished explaining one recurring scenario when my therapist just *casually* mentioned something that blew my mind. She hit on the exact thing that I've been unable to see for months - or, more accurately, YEARS. 

Last night I made time to drop out of my head and into to my body, and just listened. I was able to pinpoint the moment when this limiting belief had been created, which took me back to age 12. That was 26 years ago for those of you keeping track. SO many of our current beliefs, thoughts, and actions are rooted in childhood. It's hard to wrap your brain around because you've inevitably changed so much since those formative years, but it's a thousand percent true.

After bringing that initial situation to light, I began to journal on some of the associated thoughts and feelings. Something amazing happens when you just start writing and allow your subconscious to take you on an adventure. Whether you prefer own and paper, typing on a computer, or voice-to-text on your phone, I would encourage you to practice writing without too much of an agenda. I would also encourage you to hire a coach, but start with writing. It's free, requires very little effort, and can be hugely productive. Plus, no needs to know what you write unless you want them to - so if you have a hard time sharing personal thoughts, it's a no-brainer.

As anyone who has ever done personal development work will tell you: if you want answers, you've gotta go within. I hope you are able to trust yourself enough to do exactly that. ❤️

Planning ahead is a funny thing. You may have heard the phrase, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." One of my goals for 2023 was to start and maintain a blog. I love to write and I wanted to play with something a bit longer form than social media or emails. Looks good on paper, as they say.

Back in February when I started this adventure, I thought I would post maybe once a month. I set the bar pretty low because I wanted to set myself up for success. For a few months I did pretty well, but now it's June and I'm 7+ weeks removed from my latest entry. Oops.

Have you ever had a friend that you used to talk to often, but then you accidentally ghost each other for months? To the point where it feels awkward to reach out, so you just don't? I used to think there was an expiration date on things, where if you walked away (on purpose or otherwise) for too long, you just didn't go back. Fortunately I've outgrown that mindset, and now I'm able to embrace the potential awkwardness of picking up where we left off. Who wants to lose something good just because they got busy or sidetracked? Not this girl!

All that said, I'm back. I don't know how long it'll be until my next post, but I know it'll flow out of me in its own time. Right now I'm so grateful for the fullness on my plate this summer. I've got plenty of horse shows coming up, I'm about to kick off the beta test of Your Brightest Self, and as of next month I'll be offering in-person Reiki in addition to distance sessions! I also *may* have fallen down a rabbit hole yesterday and planned a bucket list vacation for January '24. 

Life is good, and I hope you feel the same way. :)

I have been telling myself this story that the only way for me to be successful is to recover from my mental health issues. I shared that I was scared to do the deep inner work that I know I need, because I was afraid I would discover that I am a fraud. Who the fuck am I to help people when my mental health still falls apart from time to time? 

Immediately, [my coach] Nick pointed out that for coaches, struggles in our area of expertise actually help us to teach it to other people because we get it, we've been there. No one is going to hire a coach who has never known depression to help them out of it. No one would hire a coach who has never struggled with food to help heal their relationship with it. No one is going to hire someone who doesn't understand body dysmorphia to help them overcome negative body image. 

We also talked about the fact that these days, there are a lot more conversations about mental health, but they focus on recovering from it instead of just living with it. I get that it sucks sometimes and we all want to find ways to live around it, but what if instead we searched for ways to live THROUGH it? Where are those conversations? I would love to consider myself recovered, and about 80 percent of the time I feel like I am. That other 20 percent, though? Shit. It's tough. 

Depression and anxiety are considered psychiatric disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, we call them mental illnesses, and I don't know about you, but to me an illness sounds like something that you can recover from. Look up the word on Google and you'll find examples like cold and flu, diarrhea, headache, stomachache, mono, etc. Mental "illnesses" are chemical imbalances in our body and there is a possibility that we'll have them forever. Can we, then, stop seeing them as a sickness and start seeing them as a disability? 

Visual and hearing impairment are both disabilities, but we don't tell Blind or Deaf people to just "feel better" - we fucking accommodate their needs because we understand their situation is not temporary. On their end, they don't stop living their life because they have a disability - they learn to accept that this is the one body they're getting and they adapt. Often times they go on to do even more wonderful things than able-bodied people do because they are so so adaptable and resilient. Maybe we, the depressed community, can be inspired by them and decide not to let this mental disability hold us back. 

I've never defined myself as someone with a disability because I guess I just didn't think I was "disabled enough". As though there were only so many of those labels to go around and I didn't want to take it from someone who needed it more. I don't feel like I am disabled. I am still working on how to categorize this condition. I am blessed to have all my limbs, all five senses, and I am free from a laundry list of other possible disabilities. I "just" have mental illness - specifically, clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder. 

But here's the thing. A disability label is not a handicapped parking spot. It's not a finite resource; it's simply a reality for myself and thousands of other people. I'm not going to stop saying I'm a brunette just because a bunch of other people also have brown hair. There's room for all of us. Additionally, disability, like many other things in life, is a spectrum. There's no minimum level required to be considered for entry. 

I spent the day after our call thinking about how depression fits in my life. Yes, it is something I need to accommodate, maybe forever. But it is only one part of me, not my whole identity. Making my depression the foundation of everything in my life gives it too much power. It is not who I am. That is a huge distinction. I am not depressed; I have depression. I also have a hypermobile kneecap, but I've never once thought that I WAS a hypermobile kneecap. 

Another excellent point that Nick brought up was that although it is POSSIBLE that I will experience depression for the rest of my life, I don't know that for sure. Once you accept something as your fate - bad luck, for example - you are inviting more of it into your life. Of course we need to accept each current situation, but we do so with the understanding that no state is permanent. When you fall into the darkness of depression, make as much peace as you can with that darkness, and know that it is temporary. Remember the times when the lights were on and you will see that those are also temporary. Life is constant change. 

Depression has given me the opportunity to do deep inner work that other people don't even consider in their lifetime. If you have never struggled with mental health and you don't understand what it feels like to not be okay, then you don't have the same drive to get to a place where you feel okay. Experiencing depression has given me the motivation to seek something better and I would not be on the path that I am on right now, helping other people and raising the collective frequency, if I didn't have a reason to try to do that for myself. 

Depression is not a weakness, it is a fucking superpower. Shift your perspective. I realized something through all of this, and that is that I am grateful for my depression. I never thought I would say those words, but they are true and they are from the heart. I am even grateful for my struggles, because I learned lessons from them that I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. 

So I'm here to admit that I don't have it all figured out. But I have survived 100% of the challenges I've faced, and I can use the tools, skills, and strategies I've accumulated to help others with theirs. 

Action is wonderful. It creates clarity, confidence, progress, and satisfaction. And, as with most other things in life, it has a time and place. If you're feeling stuck or in need of a direction, take action. However, if you're feeling like you've got the cruise control set to 70 and there's a big curve ahead, tap the brakes.

2023 has been jam-packed with experiences and adventures, and it's only July. I've taken a lot of action, and now it's time to slow the eff down. Horse show season has been in full swing for a couple months, I'm five weeks into running my group program, and I just started offering in-person Reiki at a salon. My plate is FULL.

Which is why I just dropped out of a new program with my coach. We've been working together since February, and I've made a ton of progress. Originally when she offered me a spot in this next cohort, I said no. I had so much going on already and I wasn't sure I could spare a few hours a week to participate. Then I convinced myself that I got this far by taking action, so I must need to keep taking action. I joined the group. 

Not one full week into her program, I knew something was off. I spent some time thinking it over and realized I need to integrate everything that has happened over the past 6 months. I have done and learned so much, but I need to allow those things to really sink in and become a part of me before I attempt to pick anything else up. 

I'm here to remind you that rest is productive. We get caught up in the idea that action = productivity but then forget that resting is an action. Slow down. Make time for the things that bring you joy. Your goals are important, but not more so than your wellbeing.

I hope you're taking good care of yourself or there, this summer and always. You're worth it. ❤️

You may know that in addition to being a coach and Reiki practitioner, I also braid horses. Actually, I've been doing that WAY longer...about 23 years. Of course it hasn't all been rainbows and butterflies, but with only 3 major incidents in that time, I've had a good record. 

I want to give you a little backstory so you have context for the "main course" story. Warning: it's not a happy backstory.

When I was about 20 I got pushed by a trainer to keep braiding a horse from whom I should have walked away. The tragic ending of that long story is that the horse got spooked and reared, flipped over, and died on the spot. I had made it all the way through her mane and was braiding her forelock (the horse's "bangs") when it happened.

After that trauma, I stopped braiding for a couple years. Then I started competing again, which meant braiding my own horse, and the rest is history. But I assure you, I think about that mare Every. Single. Time. I braid a forelock. Yes, even 18 years and more than a thousand forelocks later. 

This year has been full of little nudges from the universe, leading me to believe I'm about ready for another break from this work. It's intense, both physically and mentally. The hours are long and overnight. The travel is non-stop. However, the money has kept me comfortably afloat while I build a business from the ground up. That part is harder to walk away from.

Well, when the nudges didn't seem to be landing, the universe stepped up its game. Last week I was braiding a horse who was unknown to me, but seemed quiet and calm. I did her whole mane without issue. As soon as I started her forelock, she reared and struck out with her front hooves, one of which connected with my mouth. There was no warning - and believe me, I'm no stranger to equine body language. I never saw that coming.

After 8 hours in the ER and some emergency dental work, I'm okay, I have all my teeth, and I'm INCREDIBLY grateful that it wasn't worse. My wallet isn't available for comment...it's hiding from the medical bills. Haha.

So, between getting a double-barrel kick that sent me airborne 10 months ago and this past weekend, I've decided to keep my feet on the ground for a while. 16 years of smooth sailing followed by 2 major incidents essentially back to back? Message received. Not to mention all the other, smaller signs along the way.

There is a part two to this story, but it's only just begun. Check back in a couple weeks for the much happier sequel. Stay safe out there!

I knew last week's story was going to have a part two, and the way things are unfolding it seems even that's only the beginning. Without turning this blog into a novella, allow me to summarize. 

Knowing I'd be off my ladder for a while (which I now know is 4 months), I asked the universe for a sign that I would be okay without braiding. Specifically, I asked to receive unexpected money. Here I was thinking maybe I'd find a dime on the ground, but oh no. The universe was done with subtlety. Not 3 minutes after my ask, a neighbor approached me about walking her dog while she gets a hip replacement. Hello, unexpected money!

Turns out, I really love dog walking. It combines some of my favorite things - dogs, walking, and being outside. I'm very casually looking to add a few local clients and make this a part-time gig. Why not?!?

In less exciting news, my mouth & face are still in a lot of pain, and my bite is off. My dentist seems hesitant to fix it, but I'm going to make sure that when this is over the result is a feeling I can live with forever. I'm going to a craniosacral therapist next week, and possibly another dentist if need be. Don't sell me invisalign for my bottom teeth when they're not the problem. Fix the problem, please and thank you.

Anyway, back to the good stuff. I'm about to get a little "woo woo," but I promise what I'm about to say is absolutely my true experience. 

I had a Reiki treatment yesterday - even though I give myself Reiki almost daily, I still like to have regular sessions with my teacher. As soon as she began, I could sense that someone was in the room with us. I was lying down with my eyes closed and an eye mask on, but you know how sometimes you can just feel a presence? She was at my head and someone was on the other side of the room. It was unmistakable. I even heard shuffling - sort of like footsteps but not as distinct. 

I didn't say anything out loud, but in my head I asked, "Who's there?" My Gram has come to me before during Reiki, but only as a voice in my head. This presence was in the room, and it felt like I could have sat up and witnessed it. 

As soon as I asked, this wave of knowing moved through my body. Pretty Girl, the horse who died all those years ago, had come to check on me. She was okay, and her mane was no longer braided. I saw her face above me. She stayed in the room for a little while and her energy was so beautiful. 

She showed me a picture of a latch hook tattooed behind my ear. When she died I had talked about getting a tattoo on the back of my neck to honor her, but I never did it. I definitely wouldn't have chosen a latch hook - I saw that as the thing that killed her, because it's what caused her to rear. 

My confusion was met with the adamant energy of a chestnut mare - if you know, you know. The latch hook didn't kill her. I didn't kill her. She was free, and she was coming to set me free. I hadn't realized how much guilt I had still been holding onto. Although it's likely I'll always be able to recall that night in vivid detail, that no longer has to be how I remember her.

You can find peace in unexpected places, if only you're open to the possibility. I am so grateful for yesterday's experience, and for all of the wonderful ripples that have come from this situation. The universe truly is conspiring in my favor. ❤️

A lot can happen in two weeks. A lot has happened in two weeks! As weird as this is to say, I never meant for this blog to turn into a place for life updates. I understand the irony - that's what most blogs are for. However, I always thought I would be able to share more valuable words than just, "here's what I've been up to." The funny thing is, the stuff I've been up to has come with some SUPER valuable lessons and experiences, so let's get into it!

I'm truly enjoying my walks with the neighbor's dog, crazy little skittish thing that she is. I also picked up another job through Rover.com, which may be both the first and the last, haha. I have a few issues with the platform, so I think I'll stick with word of mouth for now. I'm also trying not to spread myself too thin juggling all of my schedules. I wish everything could sync with a google calendar!

The Displaced Tooth Saga continues, of course, so let's get that out of the way. I got a second opinion from a wonderful dentist who informed me that general dentists, as a rule, don't move teeth. Turns out my Mediocre White Man dentist just didn't want to admit that to me when he busted out the power tools to grind down my bottom teeth. Ugh. Fortunately he didn't do much additional damage, and I am going to see an orthodontist tomorrow. They move teeth for a living, so I'm pretty hopeful! I'm so glad that I advocated for myself and didn't just believe the person who wouldn't listen to me.

I've had two appointments with a craniosacral therapist, which were very interesting. I do believe they were helpful, although I'll admit I'm still not 100% sure what they heck craniosacral therapy is. If I had to describe it, I would say it felt like a cross between Reiki and the gentlest sports massage ever. I'll do my research eventually, but given that the recommendation to go was from someone I trust very much, I kinda just ran with it!

Moving on to more exciting things: I was a vendor at the CT Psychic and Beyond expo this past weekend. It was my first time having an assistant who was not my husband, and also my first time offering Reiki at an expo. Two of my clients from Your Brightest Self (who happen to also be my friends), came to help run my table and talk with attendees while I was in sessions. Shout out to Jess and Crista, you ladies rock! Thank you! I gave Reiki to 15 beautiful people over the course of 2 days, so I was pretty spent energetically but in the best way. I got some of the most amazing feedback, and I also had a handful of people sign up for my upcoming 5-day challenge. I'm calling that expo a MAJOR success!

I'm so in love with the trajectory of my business. Every step forward is a reminder of how freaking aligned it was to shift into self-care. And every day is an opportunity to lean more and more into my own routines and rituals. This work is absolutely, unequivocally, life-changing. I witnessed it firsthand Sunday morning.

On my way to the expo, all of the lights on my dash suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew I had to get off the highway. Fortunately, the stars were aligned in my favor (because of course they were!). There was a park and ride at the next exit, my husband was not only home but awake and available, and I was still only 15 minutes from our house. He came to swap cars with me because mine seemed okay for a short drive, and I took his to CT. I'm still not sure what the problem is, but maybe a fuse issue? Fingers crossed it's that easy.

Anyway, while I was waiting for Josh and googling my car's "symptoms," I noticed that my stomach was doing flips. I was nervous, understandably, but I realized that wasn't helping the situation. I asked myself, "What do I need in this moment?" I took a few deep breaths, then placed my hands on my chest and applied some pressure. I've been using this grounding technique for a while now and it is so helpful! I reminded myself that I am okay and I'm going to be okay. I started to feel calmer, and the wildest thing happened - I actually started to feel grateful for the situation! I thought about how this is a real-life example of the power of self-care. Knowing how to care for yourself, meet your needs, and regulate your nervous system makes ALL the difference in situations like those. When I think about how I would have handled the same thing even just a couple years ago - ugh, no thank you.

I hope that you are showing up for yourself today. I hope that your needs are met and that you're never afraid to advocate for yourself. And if you want more calming techniques like the one I described, go send this download straight to your inbox. :)

You know the saying, when it rains, it pours? Of course you do. Well, it's pouring here, and I'm doing my best to dance in the rain.

Cliches aside, the second half of summer has been quite eventful for me. I got kicked in the face, which left me to trade my braiding income for a pile of bills. I brought my car in for what I thought was a small issue - turns out it's the transmission. And then I had some personal issues that I won't get into here - I'll just say some bridges are more complicated to burn than others.

I don't know how I'm holding it together, but I do know I have years of inner work and personal growth to thank. If all of this had happened to me even a couple of years ago, I would have been down for the count.

My nervous system tends toward flight and freeze responses. The fact that I chose to stay home instead of taking a long-planned vacation, and continue to take action instead of getting sucked into the couch, is astounding. Even I am surprised by myself.

THIS is why we do the work. Why we change, even though it's uncomfortable. The results aren't always immediately evident, but when a season like this rolls around and we handle it with some semblance of grace - it's all worthwhile.

I want to share something I've been doing lately that I think is helpful to anyone, in any season. A lot of people, myself included, talk about taking aligned action. Do something that moves the needle on a goal. Do things that align with your values and support the person you are becoming. That's all well and good, AND...

Recently I've learned that sometimes you just have to take ANY action. Move your body. Honestly, cleaning has been my go-to activity. If I can wash a couple dishes, do a load of laundry, or vacuum even one room, I'm already up and creating momentum. Getting outside is also super helpful for me, which tracks because I was a woodland elf in a past life.

I've said this to many a client, and I'll say it to you: You don't have to eat the frog first. Sure, if that works for you, get it done and out of the way. But if you know you're going to need more oomph than you can currently muster, there is zero shame in easing yourself into a task.

Oh, and one last thing! Remember that resting when you need to IS an action. In fact, sometimes it's the most aligned one you can take. ❤️

For years, November has been a pretty quiet month for me. Horse show season is over in the northeast, and there's a bit of free time before the holidays come crashing in. This year, however, has been nothing like the rest. Honestly, right from the start, 2023 felt different, but there was no predicting all of the curveballs and plot twists.

It's absolutely no surprise, then, that November was a whirlwind. It was chaos, and only somewhat controlled. Honestly, looking back at my calendar, the chaos began the last week of September.

Yesterday I finally had a day completely off, and it was marvelous. I barely got out of my robe, because I knew if I got dressed I would start doing things, and that was NOT the plan. It was a total rest day, and it was so effing necessary.

Today, I feel good and I'm back to things like walking dogs and writing blogs. But it's more than just taking a rest day, and that's ultimately what I want to talk about.

During all of the almost 10-week rollercoaster, even when it was hard, I stayed present. I allowed my feelings to surface. I experienced the moments and sensations as they happened. This was a very intentional practice, and one of which I had to keep reminding myself.

My reflex - and maybe also yours - is to freeze up and just "get through it." Whether it's a tough situation or a busy few months. But I know that we can't thrive in a survival state, and I didn't want to compromise my wellbeing just because I was faced with more abundance than I knew how to handle.

Staying present can be difficult if you're not used to it, and uncomfortable even if you are. But I already know the alternative, which is coming out of the spiral and feeling like it's my first day on Earth and I'm starting fresh. Which also means I'm behind, because everyone else has been going about their lives while I've been in freeze state.

This is one of those blogs that's coming straight from my brain to the page, and I'm sure I'll have more coherent thoughts on this topic once I sit with it for a bit. However, there's no better time to share these thoughts than a season where so many of us tend to just freeze up and get through it.

Be present in December - even when it's hard, even when it sucks, even when you're tired. Feel it. Acknowledge it. Accept it as your current reality. From there you can make changes and improvements - because you will truly know what feels good and what doesn't.

The universe is always speaking to us and through us. Have you ever said something wise and then immediately wondered how the hell you came up with it? Next time, thank divine intervention.

One day I was out running errands, and I was NOT in a good mental space. I sat in my car for a bit between stops and worked through what I had been struggling with. I cried and probably made some fun noises - yelling in the middle of a parking lot draws attention, but growling does not and feels just as cathartic. Ask me how I know. 😘

Anyway, the next place I went, I parked next to a white Jeep. As I pulled in, I swore I read the word "compassion" on the fender. Obviously that's not the model of the car - it was a Compass - but the universe showed me exactly what I needed to see. And it's true, isn't it? Compassion is a compass.

The latter is a tool we use to navigate physical space. The former is a tool we use to navigate emotional space. Of course I would receive that message while I was lost in a forest of emotions.

You probably find it easier to offer compassion to others than yourself. The literal meaning of the word is "suffer together." But consider how multifaceted you are. How many aspects of yourself exist at the same time, in the same space. Perhaps there is a piece of you that can hold space and care for the part that is suffering. A piece that can be a beacon, a lighthouse, for you to walk home to.

The next time you find yourself needing compassion, see if you can offer some to yourself. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and search yourself for an ounce of calm. A half an ounce. Anything you can hold onto and carry as you navigate back to comfort.

Of course, still reach out for help. Always reach out for help when you need it. I'm just suggesting being an active part of your healing, and seeing how it feels. If you try it, let me know what you think! My inbox is always open for messages.

Our Foxhound has chronic kidney disease, and his latest blood test results last week weren't good. After almost 4 years of holding steady, the disease has progressed. My husband and I are handling the news as best we can, but it's stressful.

On Saturday, the day after talking with his vet, Phoenix just wanted to snuggle. Most likely he sensed we were upset and was trying to comfort us. I technically had a to-do list for the day, but nothing was mandatory except my bar shift at 4:00. Not wanting to say no to our sweet boy, I settled in with my coffee, a book, and a 65-pound lap dog. Three hours later, he woke up from his nap and I was finally able to pee. Haha.

Today, I am writing from my phone on the couch, where our Bichon Odysseus is snuggled next to me. His stomach is upset - if you listen closely, you can probably hear it gurgle - and all he wants is to be held and cuddled. He has spent all 11 years of his life getting whatever he wants, and I am certainly not going to deny him now.

I thought absolutely nothing of clearing my schedule for either of these pups in their times of need. It is fortunate that I can do some work from my phone, but even if I couldn't...a couple hours means a lot more to them than it does to us.

Even if you don't have dogs, I'm sure you can relate to this story. There are kids, parents, siblings, or other pets that you wouldn't hesitate to make time for. So why not you?

Why does it feel so difficult to make time for ourselves? Maybe if we practice doing it in small, frequent doses, we can build up to "wasting" a few hours on the couch with a good book. And honestly, let's change the language around the time spent. You are, truly, investing a few hours in yourself.

Rest is productive. Self-care is necessary. You cannot give what you don't have, so make sure you are consistently replenishing all the love, attention, and care that you dole out so freely to others. Oh, and if someone is offering to help take care of you, accept it! You are worthy of being cared for, and take it from my dogs - sometimes it's the best remedy out there.

I've been working through a LOT lately, and it's impacting my ability to be a fully-functioning adult. This is a season of more no than yes, and I refuse to apologize for it.

A couple days ago, it hit me that I've gotten used to November and December being a bit more laid-back. Horse show season in New England wraps up in October, and in past years I have spent those last two months resting, recovering, and preparing for a new year ahead.

Obviously my horse show season was cut short this year, and I decided (for so many reasons other than getting kicked) to walk away from braiding for a while. I accidentally became a dog walker, which I love, and I got back into bartending, which I've missed for a decade. The perfect storm of finding two amazing opportunities in pretty much the same week made for a WILD ride through the end of 2023.

As grateful as I was for everything the Universe dropped into my lap, I found myself counting the weeks until January, when, allegedly, things would calm down a bit. However, when the new year came and my temporary holiday gig went, I was still facing a packed calendar.

I wouldn't say that I'm headed toward burnout, but I did get swept up in the current of a rushing river. Having noticed that, it's time for me to intentionally put my feet down and get some traction. It's time for me to whittle my schedule down to the bare minimum and prioritize recovery. It's time for me to honor the complete sentence that is: NO.

Will it be two weeks or two months? I'm not sure. Healing takes the time it needs. I still have big goals in 2024, and I'm absolutely certain that this downtime is exactly the right action to move me toward them. I'm allowing myself time to acclimate and integrate all the changes and new things in my life before I add more.

Expect to see fewer emails, blog entries, and social media posts during this time. I'm not cutting myself off entirely - if there's something I feel called to share, I will. My coaching calendar will be closed for the time being, although my Reiki calendar is still open (for now). Thank you for understanding, and I hope that if you are also feeling a pull to hibernate that this is the inspiration and permission you need to do so. See you on the other side. ✌🏻