October 17, 2024

Happen To Notice

with

Vanessa Micale

Hello Reader,

Do you ever think back to yourself as a child in a new, small body learning who and how to be?

As a child, I was a sensitive “old soul," often flooded by emotion and overwhelm.

I turned to creative expression during times of loss and change.

I still have my first childhood poems full of pain and wonder. I even self-choreographed solo dances for the talent show, making up moves, shameless and joyful.

As I teenager, I was an anxious, sad-eyed wallflower unless I was in motion on a basketball court, running a race, or rocking my body to live music at a show.

I was lucky to have a couple supportive adults encourage me to nurture my creativity.

Recently I listened to Robin Dunn Bryant, trauma informed somatic counselor in conversation with poet Reuben Jackson.

Reuben shares about releasing reticence,“Some song is playing and you’re kind of in the wallflower corner and I can now put a foot or maybe two or three feet on the dance floor now, whereas before I’m probably gonna stand in the corner and analyze the song structure…”

Somatics and creativity have coaxed my wallflower self to dare living at the center of my life rather than the sidelines.

Now when I write about themes that are heavy or pull me to the past, I take somatic breaks to care for my self. It is vital to slow down and take breaks.

The measure of my progress is the extent to which I can nurture my most expansive self.

Reflection

What helps you to be the most expansive, truest version of yourself? What creative practice, somatic practice, person, community, or place encourages you to take center stage in your life?

Resources

My Creative Updates & Offerings

In writer news, a big thank you to Alan Squire Publishing Bulletin for the Best of the Net nomination for my short story. Latinx in Publishing featured my novel excerpt in The Latinx in Publishing Writers Mentorship Showcase.

I am honored to collaborate with Mixed In America to offer “Somatic Sometimes for Mixed Community,” a virtual workshop on Sunday November 10, at 11 a.m. PT, available through their membership program for mixed-race and multicultural community.

Community & Care

Some helpful reminders from the folks at IDONTMIND, “6 Subtle Cues Someone You Love Needs Help But May Be Too Scared To Ask.”

One Institute is offering Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2024 through October with virtual and in person events in Los Angeles. They also have a donation based virtual offering from Drag King History.

“Poetry as Counternarrative,” virtual generative writing workshop with .chisaraokwu., poet, on October 19. Limited partial scholarships.

​

Soft Pants for Your Mind

A playful listening practice from Emergence Magazine.

Notes & Citations

More about Robin Dunn Bryant, the podcast episode I quoted, a poem from Reuben Jackson and more about his legacy.

Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.

In peace,

Vanessa Micale

Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC​

(she, they, ella)

P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.

P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.