THE DARK OF THE YEAR
This dark half of the year encourages us to hibernate, to slow down, to rest. I have relished these feelings myself along with my grief, a forceful teacher.
IN MY HEART
Summer was a wildly busy season for me, as many of you know. My partner and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. I traveled several times for family meet ups and attended five concerts, two of which were pilgrimages to see my long-time favorite band, My Chemical Romance. I co-facilitated the Cycle Charting Series and took a refresher course on my Prenatal and Postpartum Massage certification. As we moved into Autumn the momentum continued. My partner and I took a weekend to go camping in the Red River Gorge and scout out some future rock climbing routes - yes I also took up rock climbing! - we attended another concert in Chicago, and spent our Halloweekend in my homeland for my brother’s beautiful wedding, officiated by yours truly.
Something we did not expect to happen so soon was the passing of my grandmother Carol. She passed without much complaint a few days before the wedding, and we laid her to rest a few days after. This more than anything has inspired my recent hibernation, or “hiding out” as I said to some friends this past weekend. After all the events of the summer I already knew I wanted and needed to slow down and recharge. My grandmother’s death gave me no choice in the matter. Grief is teaching me many lessons, the most relevant to share here being to take care of myself, to honor this body and the messages it sends me, and to speak up when I have messages to share. Grandma certainly never held back when she had something to say, so in her honor I will carry that forward in my own style.
Me, standing in the middle of the Star Gap Arch in the Red River Gorge.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Looking at our larger collective community, I must talk about the book I am currently working through. “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” by Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry could not have arrived on my doorstep at a better time. Talk about needing to recharge - Hersey’s work is all about unlearning grind culture in the name of dismantling capitalism and white supremacy. She urges us to “connect to the liberating power of rest, daydreaming, and naps as a foundation for healing and justice.” It has me thinking a lot about being a business owner within the paradox of a “wellness industry” and the concept of resting to recharge to get back to work. Don’t worry, I’m not closing my practice! Rather I am reminded why I chose massage therapy as my profession and why I desire to serve the clients I do - since we all need to make money as our world currently exists, can I do so in a way which supports my community in working more slowly, more mindfully, without grinding into exploitation? My takeaway from the book so far is: don't rest to better serve others, rest because you need to, because you deserve to, because it is your natural state.
I highly recommend this book to all of you and if you would like a preview, Hersey recently gave an interview on the Become a Good Ancestor podcast with Layla F. Saad, the author of “Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor”. You can pick up both books at Morgenstern’s or order through the included links to Bookshop.org, which will also support Morgenstern’s or a local bookstore of your choice! I also strongly support using your local library.
IN THE SPACE
As we deepen into cold weather, I am now offering a choice of herbal tea at the end of every session. This can be enjoyed in the cozy waiting room or taken to-go in a compostable cup. Current offerings include Traditional Medicinals’ Chamomile & Lavender, Breathe Easy, and Dandelion Chai. I am open to requests and intend to bring in local, loose leaf teas soon.
ON THE MENU
Now for a business announcement: I will soon be shifting some payment things in service to myself. I have regrettably had enough no-show clients now to warrant asking for a card on file upon booking an appointment. I will not charge the card until the close of our session, and if you are a cash or check client you may still pay in the manner of your choosing. This is simply insurance that I may honor the policies I have set for myself.
Further, March 2023 will mark my second anniversary in private practice! With this milestone I intend to raise my rates across the menu from $80 per hour to $90 per hour. Hot stone and botanical oil upgrades will remain the same. I am announcing this change now to allow space to prepare before the change takes place on March 1st.
IN MY HANDS
Taking the space to slow down gives me time to consider so many things. My hands are a portal through which I carry, create, express, hold, nourish and receive. They are one grand expression of the love I put into the world, beyond the work I do with massage. Lately I have told some of you that so much of the job I do as your massage therapist is use touch to draw your attention to the habits you hold in your body as you move through your world, and offer suggestions on how making slight adjustments in those habits might improve the discomfort you feel - the mindfulness I mentioned above. I offer this again not to diminish the work I do but to leave you with this point to consider: What does your body do for you everyday? How do you offer your thanks to it, and to yourself?
One of those things has included coming to see me, and for that I offer my own thanks, as always.
