Hi friend,
The path of becoming—whether as an artist, a lover, a teacher, or simply a human daring to dream—rarely unfolds without its initiations. To step into what we most long for is also to be asked to face the parts of ourselves we’d rather not see.
I’ve spoken to so many people who, upon saying yes to something beautiful—an engagement, a marriage, a family, a creative calling—find themselves navigating unexpected waves of fear, doubt, or even grief. I felt it too when I finally had the book deal I had always dreamed of. Instead of elation, I felt fear. The voice of my inner critic was loud, whispering old stories of not being enough.
This is the paradox of change. Even in the midst of celebration, we may meet emotions that feel contradictory to the joy we thought we’d feel. Old unconscious contracts rise to the surface, and the fears of being seen, of failing, or of losing what we love can accompany us.
But these are not signs you’re failing. They’re signs you are moving through a threshold. They’re the sacred bumps along the way that remind you: growth requires us to meet ourselves more deeply.
Whatever you do, don’t give up. Honor the complexity of these moments. Trust that the very resistance you feel is evidence of your becoming.
Inside this week’s newsletter, you’ll find:
🧘🏻♀️ Embodiment Practice: Meeting the Threshold of Change
A guided somatic practice to help you honor the emotions that surface during times of transition, release old stories, and step into your next chapter with presence.
🌿 This Weeks Reflection
We may not expect that being on the verge of having our biggest dreams realized can be just as scary as facing a loss of something. The more something means to us, the higher the stakes are in our hearts and minds. Change is change, for better or for worse. Expect bumps along the way.
Prepare to face parts of yourself you didn't know were there. But whatever you do, don't give up.
✨ Practice for the Week: Meeting the Threshold of Change
Arrive in your body
Find a quiet space. Place both feet on the ground, soften your shoulders, and take three slow breaths into your belly. Let your exhales be long and unhurried.Name the threshold
Bring to mind a change or dream you are stepping toward right now—big or small. It could be a creative project, a relationship shift, or a new role in your life. Let yourself feel this possibility in your body. Notice where it lands.Notice what arises
As you hold this dream in your awareness, notice what feelings surface in your body. Is there tightness, fluttering, heaviness? Do you sense excitement, fear, grief, resistance? Without judgment, simply notice.Offer space
Place one hand over the part of your body where the strongest sensation lives. Breathe into that place, as if you could give it more space. Feel your hand anchoring presence and warmth into this area.Release old contracts
If any old stories or unconscious contracts appear—like “I’m not enough” or “This isn’t for me”—imagine gently laying them down beside you, as though they were heavy cloaks you no longer need to carry. Sense the relief in your body as you set them down.Anchor in truth
Place both hands on your heart. Let yourself embody a phrase that affirms your path, such as: “I am allowed to grow. I am allowed to receive. I am enough.” Feel the resonance of this truth moving through you.Close with gratitude
Take three final breaths, thanking your body and your inner world for revealing what’s here. Trust that the feelings arising are signs you are crossing into new territory.
Journalling Prompts
When I imagine stepping into this next chapter of my life, what feelings arise in my body? Where do I feel them most?
What fears or old stories tend to surface when I move toward something I deeply want?
Are there “unconscious contracts” I may still be carrying (for example: “I won’t continue my family line,” or “I’ll never be like my parent”)? How might I begin to release or rewrite them?
What parts of me feel tender, resistant, or afraid right now? What do they need from me to feel safe?
When have I walked through fear before and discovered growth, love, or creativity on the other side?
If I could give myself full permission to grow, receive, and create, what would change in how I live my life?
What would it feel like to honor the bumps and emotions that come with change as sacred initiations rather than obstacles?
As you walk forward into your next chapter—whether it’s a creative leap, a deepening of love, or a long-held dream—remember that the fears and tender emotions that surface are part of the sacred passage. They are not barriers, but invitations.
You are not alone in navigating them. You are becoming more whole, more honest, more alive. Trust the timing of your unfolding, and know that every step you take, even the shaky ones, are shaping the story of your becoming.
Love,
Shay
P.S. I always love hearing what resonates. Feel free to hit reply and share a moment, a shift, or even a word that stayed with you this week.