Did you know you have a Window of Tolerance? Yep, you might say, and I know exactly who's in it and who isn't.

Actually, the concept describes the nervous system's response to everyday stressors, discomforts, and challenges. Trauma and chronic stress can shrink the window, causing the nervous system to either under-react (hypoarousal) or over-react (hyperarousal). Can you relate to a version of any of the symptoms below?

Thankfully, therapy and mindfulness practices can help expand our Window of Tolerance from a peephole to a bay with a view. I recently began a Mindful Art & Yoga Teacher training certification. I'm learning how I can help students combine mindful art practices with yoga, somatic movement, and meditation to support their nervous systems.

Since starting the yoga journey, I've seen the difference in my own Window of Tolerance. Before yoga, it felt like a wall of anxiety and insomnia stood between me and the other side of my comfort zone. When I look at this past year though, I see a very different story.

I see an introvert who's learned to recognize and respond early to her nervous system's signals. I see a healthy self-care toolkit that includes therapy, yoga, meditation, journaling, community, and art. I see less insomnia, stress, and anxiety even while making more meaningful change outside my comfort zone. I see resilience. I see an expanded Window of Tolerance.

As I continue my training, I'll write more here about combining yoga with mindful art practices. Whether you're writing a novel or a grant proposal, building houses or composing music, you can use these practices to build resilience, soothe your nervous system, and prime your creative pump. Then you can REACH through that window for something new.

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Weird Art Share

Social media probably isn't the best place to be vulnerable, and yet I've included several of my raw art projects on Instagram recently. Why? Because Instagram fakeness is gross, and awkward can be beautiful.

In that same spirit, I'm including a photo of a project I'm calling 'weird art.' It began as a mindful exploration of water colors intended to be made into my usual neat and orderly botanical drawings. Somewhere along the way, things got ... weird. In the best way, I think.

Any way, this approach has helped me let go of perfectionism as I learn something new. I've always wanted to paint and draw but haven't received any formal training. Skillshare has been my friend, along with Pinterest and YouTube, but it's hard not to compare your first attempts with someone else's lifetime of skill. I've spent decades studying and expressing with words, so visual art feels messy and awkward, but also fun!

Have a weird art share? I want to see it! Post it on social media and tag me or send me an email.

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Fall Retreat!

RNR: Reflect. Nourish. Reach.

Saturday, November 18th

REACH is one-third of the theme for my first in-person mindful art and movement retreat, RNR: Reflect. Nourish. Reach. The retreat will be hosted at Sky Pond in Apex, N.C., Saturday, November 18th, from 10am to 4 pm.

My intention with this retreat is to share the experience of these practices so you can learn to support your nervous system at home. You can develop your own tool kit of somatic movement, restorative yoga, and mindful expressive art to expand your REACH in 2024. All in a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature, and nourished by a supportive, creative community, and some good food to boot.

Registration will open September 20th. There will be a limited number of spots due to space. Mark your calendars now and invite a friend. Invites will open via newsletter first, so make sure you're subscribed. I hope to see you in November!