Hello Reader,
Lately, I’ve been ink-drawing images from my day with playful acceptance.
I’m inspired by American cartoonist Lynda Barry who says, “Adults think that kids playing is some nothing thing [...] But play is a different state of mind, and it can help us do so many things if we just allow ourselves to get back to it.”
I drew the shape of my body-mind one day: a sieve or ultra-fine-mesh strainer, not a colander with large holes that lets most everything wash through.
My porosity (high sensitivity) makes music, the ocean, or being in a forest so immersive and awesome—and it can make it difficult to discern where I end and another begins.
Deb Dana, co-founder of The Polyvagal Institute, says, “Everybody’s nervous system is shaped differently […] and it's just right that your nervous system says yes to some things, no to others and maybe to others.”
I take care with what I pour in, especially timing the fire hose that is the Internet.
Waking up to scroll a phone will “force your body to skip the important theta and alpha stages and go straight from the delta stage to being wide awake and alert (also known as the beta state).”
There’s less judgement and softer creativity in the free flow theta state —I want that.
Lynda Barry shares how often we miss the fantastic when immersed in phones, “But something that takes you out of your environment, you pay a high price. You miss the orc.”
I tuck my phone to bed early and let it sleep in. I say “yes” to more gorgeous free flow of brain waves, ocean waves.
However your nervous system might be shaped and soothed, I send a little ease and oceanic playfulness your way.
Reflection
What do you pour in to your body-mind that lifts up your heart, helps you shine brighter and feel supported? What do you pour in that weighs you down, clutters or rattles you? What would it feel like to do more of one, less of the other?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Save the Date: On the evening of March 13, I'll be reading at a virtual event fundraiser for Trans Lifeline and TransLatin@ Coalition, organized by poets Kay E. Bancroft and Melissa Ferrer Civil. Details coming soon to my website and Linktree!
For the Randolph MFA Community: “Somatic Sometimes for Writers: Nervous Systems for People Who Create With Words,” a virtual workshop on Sunday March 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. PT. If you are part of Randolph MFA and need the registration link, reply here.
Community & Care
Check out LySaundra Janeé's "Journaling the Erotic" virtual workshop offering.
Writerly resources including a recording of Blue Stoop's "By the Book: Key Legal Issues for Writers, with Gabrielle Sellei," Jane Friedman's informative series "Earn a Living as a Writer," and a great contract reference from Authors Guild's Model Trade Book Contract. p.s. I learned via Deesha Philyaw that Author's Guild does free contract reviews!
Soft Pants for Your Mind
Two gorgeous visual poems from Monica Ong.
I lay under a blanket and zoned out to this yoga nidra.
The sweetest kid's cartoon Carl The Collector that centers autistic characters and has the calming effect of a baking show for me.
Notes & Citations
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/09/05/magazine/lynda-barry-interview.html
https://www.instagram.com/thenearsightedmonkey
Deb Dana on Making a Nervous System "Menu."
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2021/04/02/why-you-should-stop-checking-your-phone-in-the-morning-and-what-to-do-instead/
https://www.healthline.com/health/theta-waves#brain-wave-manipulation
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-neurology/202201/mind-your-theta-achieving-theta-activity-meditation
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.
