Schedule an in-person somatic private session to include rest and integration at the gorgeous REVEAL Healing Arts on Friday’s in inner SE Portland; or let's meet virtually!
Hello Reader,
Have you had a Tiny Chef meltdown moment recently? I have.
I received unexpected news that destabilized me instantly—heart pounding, stomach contracted, a real sense of scarcity. Tears rolling down my face, voice shaking even though I wanted to be stone-faced and cool like an icy river or a non-sentient robot.
But I am no robot. I have deep emotions. And I’m not tiny like the stop-motion puppet Tiny Chef, but I am a tall soft-bodied, sensitive being with needs, boundaries, and limits. (Tiny Chef is 6 inches tall and I am just shy of 6 feet tall).
I was outside of my window of tolerance, a natural response to the situation at hand. I try to be flexible with expectations for my self especially when things have shifted outside of my control.
My capacity today can be different from what is possible tomorrow.
With practice, we can cultivate self-awareness to notice what’s going on for us. Once we notice, we can try a supportive tool, or if that’s beyond reach, just the noticing can be enough for now.
We can notice when we are outside of our window of tolerance, our “optimal emotional zone,” the baseline where we feel most grounded, connected and creative.
With practice, I gain clarity about what is and is not in alignment with me. My body tells me what places and people feel good, right.
We can hold space for our grief and have the courage to be held. The people, places, songs, and all we hold dear—from the past, present and dreamspace of the future—tethers us to the boundlessness of earth and sky.
A return to dignity, to our inherent worth, even when we feel messy, especially then. Let it flow, creativity, tears, all of it.
Reflection
Do you have a big emotion inside you that needs to be held? Maybe a swirl of big emotions? How would you describe those emotions if they were a landscape? Can you let the Earth hold the weight of it all with you?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
In addition to 1:1 coaching offerings, I am available as a workshop facilitator, public speaker, creative writer and performer. Let's collaborate.
Portland folks: Schedule an in-person somatic private session to include rest and integration at REVEAL Healing Arts on Friday’s. Use coupon code TINYLOVE20 for a 20% off discout through August 31. p.s. Or get a group of besties together to book a private group session for some curated co-regulation to kick off your weekend.
On Thursday July 17, I will be a co-featured reader with Ebony Frison at QueerPDXpressions, an open mic hosted by Given. Sign up for open mic starts at 6:30 p.m at Always Here Bookstore, 4555 N. Williams Ave., Portland.
On August 17, I’ll be performing music at a Songwriter’s Circle, curated by Kjirsten Tornfelt on the back patio of Replicant Bar & Bottle Shop, 7033 NE Glisan St, in Portland. It’s a super sweet outdoor space, with delicious cocktails including NA drinks, and vegan pizza, snacks, etc.
Exciting news: I just received my first-ever RACC Professional Development Grant Award. The $1,500 award will go in part towards ongoing participation in a Uruguay-based writer’s workshop, anthology project, and book research.
Community & Care
UndocuPDX has a new site with resources for undocumented folks and allies. One of the founders, artist Heldáy de la Cruz also has a free poetry collection available for digital download.
Tips on an access rider, “used by disabled artists to ensure that our needs are met when working with others.” I first learned about access riders through Johanna Hedva in their book How To Tell When We Will Die: Essays on Pain, Disability, and Doom.
Portland-based resources:
TinHouse Faculty Readings, July 13 -20 at 7:30 p.m. Free & held outdoors at Reed College, Portland.
Margaret Malone's new in-person summer writing workshop is for feedback and accountability for all genres from July 17- Sept. 4, at Up Up Books, Portland. She's the real deal.
A couple local Portland-based practitioners that I love including naturopath and acupuncturist Dr. Miles Cash of Healing Roots Natural Medicine, and stephanie lavon trotter, massage therapist of Deep Ground Wellness.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
Ok, depending what mood you’re in, this Tiny Chef meltdown could make you cry, but the cooking show cancellation and meltdown, followed by working out sorrow on a banjo and through comfort foods of pizza, have been relatable to me and made me smile. One more: pretending to be a robot.
I’m reading Dr. Marcia Dernie’s book Movement For Everybody now. Here are a few of her video tutorials of breathing practices including: belly breath, lion breath, bunny breath, and ocean breath.
Notes & Citations
https://www.thetinychefshow.com/faq
https://www.thetinychefshow.com/faq-past
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202205/what-is-the-window-tolerance-and-why-is-it-so-important
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.
