Learnings is where I attempt to make sense of what I am doing, seeing, practicing throughout the month (among other verbs). It’s a place for all the ways I’m learning even when I don’t call it that.

Welcome back as we wind down into the portal of the end of the year. November felt like a slow spiral to me. Through these monthly reflections, I realized I love to personify seasons like they are characters in my life. To me, November and September are two sisters that have similar taste but live in different places. They chat on the phone at least once a week and are always trading direct messages on Pinterest.

November is also the time every year that I feel settled into my new age. This year that is thirty. I keep a running list throughout the month of learnings I want to share and one of them just said “I love being 30.” Another said, “getting older as appreciating subtlety — a honeycrisp is no longer my favorite apple.” I’m in search of a favorite apple that reflects my apparent newfound complexity, if you have recs let me know.

NOTICING

I’m noticing (again) the sneaky ways perfectionism shows up in my life and I project it onto others. Not fun! Not cute! As judgement about a couple I tangentially know arose I reminded myself: maybe people are just doing the best they can and judgement is perfectionism dressed up in a funny mustache and glasses disguise. Maybe you need that reminder too?

Another antidote to my personal brand of perfectionism is “everything counts.” Walked outside for two minutes? Counts. Thought about a writing project? Counts. It all counts and it all adds up. And my all-or-nothing brain positively hates it! (in a good way)

SHARING

I’m coming out as an Astrology Girlie. I don’t think I have mentioned here how much I love astrology as a tool for self-reflection. A meaning-making system based on centuries of observations? Count me in.

That wasn’t always the case, though. I remember openly mocking my sweet mom for reading her horoscope in the newspaper. As a teenager, I got into with my dad about how “testimony” and “anecdotal evidence” were not reason enough to do anything. She was a Science Major with a Plan read as: a Virgo sun with a major aversion to ambiguity.

Now, my Saturn has returned (sung in my best impression of Kacey Musgraves). I meditate using the CHANI app almost every day. And I’m here to tell you that I love mercury retrograde because it forces me to slow down and examine certain systems in my life (which it is right now btw!)

I recently heard astrologer Chani Nicholas refer to pre-November 5 as “the before times” as she contextualized an interpretation. I think “the after times” will require us to write down our lessons. To reflect on our learning and development, and then put it into action. The planets are some of my favorite teachers.

Also today is the Mercury Cazimi — the moment during a retrograde when Mercury and the Sun make out. So, I wanted to send this when it had a little extra boost from the Sun’s rays. Listen, if I can live a life believing in magic or not, I’m choosing magic every time.

SAYING

I have noticed how often I say “it’s all learning” since starting this newsletter. I use it as a talisman when I’m showing up even though it all feels wobbly. It’s like rubbing a rock of sturdy truth in my pocket. We’re all learning, all the time. And that’s kind of the whole point.

You know when you hear something and immediately know you’re adding it into your lexicon? That happened a few times this month but my favorite was while collaborating with new booksellers in Tucson, Friends to Lovers. Someone on their team said “it’s okay, the first pancake is never the best one.” And now I’m internally yelling TEST PANCAKE every time I don’t get something right on the first try. Liberating.

LISTENING

Started the month listening to Wicked (Original Broadway Cast Recording / Deluxe Edition). Ended the month listening to Wicked: The Soundtrack. I’ve seen the movie twice and I’m so enamored with the Wicked lore and resulting cinematic universe. Of course I sobbed when I saw it, because I saw myself in it.

When a friend asked me why it is so important to me, my answer was unoriginal. I felt misunderstood and different growing up, for many reasons, and Elphaba’s story in the book and the musical deeply resonate with me. You have likely heard something similar in an interview or a TikTok in the past few weeks. I’m not alone in this feeling.

How important that multiple generations can relate to a story of friendship, belonging, dissent, and living in accordance to your own values (and that’s just act 1!) How powerful that a piece of art could take our collective experience of feeling different and alchemize it into a reminder of the ways we belong to each other.

PRACTICING

It’s that time of year! When I actively try not to glare at the people that can’t help but cough on me in public places. But truly, as the temperatures drop and we spend more time indoors, it is so easy to get sick. I personally do everything in my power not to. Intense? Absolutely. Effective? Like 90% of the time!

Here’s a quick list of what I lovingly call “remedies.” Activate upon the very first INKLING of a tickle in your throat or nose. I also do this pre/post travel. Call me a freak! I’m a freak that stays pretty healthy.

• Warm nasal wash with a netti pot

• Gargle with warm salt water

• Hydration to the moon — I’m trying the Buoy hydration drops and loving. I don’t think they are flavorless though.

• Every herbal tea, all hours of the day. My recent faves are peppermint, ginger, nettles, and this specific immune + stress one.

• Cold Calm — I believe in this! I found it in college and it has been reliable ever since.

• Steam bowl with dried or fresh herbs. Bowl + boiling water + whatever anti-bacterial/anti-viral herbs you have on hand + towel over your head = healing! My go-to herbs are rosemary, thyme, and oregano because I always have them.

• I try to increase my lymphatic drainage practices in the winter. Gua sha for the face, jumping around, and the occasional dry brush when I remember. I dial this up when I’m in remedy mode.

• Soup! Talked about this last month but I love soup and also swear by bone broth but can only justify buying it when I feel sickish. (I can justify buying almost anything when I’m feeling sickish).

*Insert the disclaimer that I’m not a health professional just a little bit of a hypochondriac who went to herb school once in 2018. Take what feels supportive and leave the rest, babes.

That’s all for this time. I’m dreaming up a super special version of this dispatch for next month, so I hope you will stick around. Until then, keep learning and take very good care!