As I’m finishing up the last of the East Coast events for my book tour (my upcoming free event on 6/28 at P&T Knitwear with Jezz Chung will be the last tour event until a West Coast book event in October), I’m spending a lot of time deepening in my reflection of the past two months since the release of A Recipe for More.
Summer is typically the time when I push myself to be out in the world, saying ‘yes’ to most plans that come my way, socializing and playing with friends frequently. I’ve even had past partners notice this shift, calling me “Summer Sara” and expecting an entirely new set of behaviors as soon as the weather started getting hot. But the past two months of consistent output has instead called for a more quiet stillness and solitude as I welcome in this Summer, so that I can integrate and reflect on all that I’ve been learning.
On Wednesday, the Summer Solstice officially marked a new season. The Sun reached its highest point in the sky and gave us our longest day of the year, reminding us of the light that exists within us all. Spiritually, the Solstice encourages us to turn inward for replenishment while also (with that internal grounding) giving us all permission to shine, to step firmly and with an open heart into our expansive existence. In remembering that, I’m giving myself permission to redefine what Summer typically looks and feels like for me. My partner Ryann and I have been talking a lot about what ‘Summering’ can be: thinking about saying ‘yes’ only to activities that feel enriching to our Summer experience, versus saying ‘yes’ to everything for the purpose of being out in these Summer streets. This questioning is a solstice ritual that reminds me that I can choose to nurture myself, just as the Sun nurtures me.
Writing A Recipe for More was a practice, a meditation in channeling what I know to be true intuitively, and sharing it with others. And the events for my book tour have called for much of the same— listening to and honoring my higher self through meditation, moving my body, taking my supplements, and being kind to myself more frequently than I am not so that I could rise above the anxious hum of my mind that’s even louder on event days— so that I could rely on my brain to show up for the output I was asking of it / so that I could rely on my brain to show up for me.
Very frequently, my default state of being is anxiety ridden, fearful, and uneasy. I have to choose every day to use my tools to help lift myself out of this natural state, and sometimes even that choice doesn’t feel possible. But when I have an event or a deadline (or a ‘Field Notes / Love Notes’ newsletter to write), there’s new motivation. And even one day of motivation that interrupts the chaos of my mind, is useful. Because of that, writing and doing events for A Recipe for More has helped me to more consistently access a better version of myself: it’s kept me disciplined to prioritizing my “recipe” for my life of abundance and ease, disciplined to stepping firmly into the light of my self-expansion.
To celebrate Summer Solstice, I made a playlist for my subscribers— all with songs that I’ve listened to when preparing for book events (or whenever I want to move away from our culture’s addiction to and toxic consumption of music, and many other things, that make(s) us feel bad about ourselves). Listen in order (at least the first time). It’s a nice way to ease into your day: starting off slow and reflective and ending with celebratory vibes.
Enjoy! And leave a comment if you have any songs that you think might be good additions.
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