Flow & Voice: a free monthly note with short, practical reflections on creativity and personal growth, plus occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into my audio storytelling journey.
There's something about the transition from the end of summer to the start of fall that always feels heavy to me. I want to be happy, enjoy the changing colors of the fall leaves, fantasize about the often-talked-about-but-never-done weekend trip upstate to see the foliage change, and slow down a bit to explore small-town living.
đź’I think: Perhaps I'll browse bric-a-brac at a local antique store, eat at a quaint farm-to-table restaurant, and stay at a cozy bed-and-breakfast with a view of the Hudson River. I can already see the picturesque scene in my mind's eye, smell the smoky, damp leaves, but then reality pokes its head up and all plans go to hell. 🔥🔥
Well, my romanticized Norman Rockwell fantasy has not come to life. Life has been lifing! Mom was in the hospital, there was an abundance of work drama, and then an unexpected funeral for a neighbor, but I'm still standing, and even though I'm so exhausted I can hardly speak some evenings, I'm holding space for myself.
I'm accepting all my feelings while trying to sit with emotionally chaotic moments. I'm allowing any feeling state, tired, sad, angry, forgetful, numb, grateful, to make itself known because I'm slowly learning that I won't break. I can weather these storms – and do it without judging myself harshly or wishing every minute could be different.
Today's episode is about handling anger by taking a gentle, investigative approach, so you don't crash and burn by turning it inward. How can we investigate strong emotions like anger? We make space for them by talking to them and figuring out what they want to say, how best to express them (without leaning on unhealthy patterns of avoidance and distraction), and what to do with the uncomfortable excess energy they give off. Check out episode 60 to find a more productive way to make space for your overwhelming emotions.
This Month on Let the Verse Flow
Episode 60: Feasting on Anger: How to Break the Pattern of Avoidance
Episode 59: Can You Snorkel at 80? Turning “I Can’t” Into Possibility
🎙️Behind the Mic
I'm reading some public domain books as part of a homework assignment for my audiobook narration classes, and discovered a rich treasure trove of devastatingly moving slave narratives. Here's a gem of insight from Harriet Ann Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.
“My story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage.”
Jacobs fought long and hard (through the dual hardship of bondage and sexual violence that permeated the lives of female slaves) to achieve her freedom. She held steadfast in her pursuit of freedom with a fierce determination that she would manifest it, although perhaps not in the way she wanted. Read the book here (for free) to find out what she endured for freedom.
🤔Reflection: What culturally-held belief or convention has not held true in your life?
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Let the Verse Flow (and its companion newsletter Flow & Voice) is a creative project created with love by writer, podcast host, and narrator Jill Hodge. If you subscribe today, you'll have full access to the website and newsletter, including articles, podcast episodes, and the Flow & Voice monthly note. Members are vital to building a rich community of diverse voices. Join us by subscribing today; consider a paid subscription to support Jill's work. Thank you!
