Welcome to this edition of Liminal Walker Musings!
If you are a new subscriber, a special WELCOME! Today I am taking the time to honor you, the subscriber and this anniversary of being on substack for one year. You, me, us, make this possible. Blessings and love to you all!
Thanks for reading and please comment, I would love to hear from you. And if you feel inspired, please consider becoming a subscriber or even a paid subscriber. Either way you are deeply valued and appreciated.
AN ANNIVERSARY!
Anniversaries, birthdays and milestones are significant markers in our lives. The wheel has circled around, a return to a beginning yet in a new way, with a fresh perspective. Like the spiral, there is an alignment but with more depth. This is where I find myself today. I have been on substack now for ONE YEAR! This is my 54th post. And a wonderful excuse to have some cake!
On the same line, I just returned from a trip to Washington to celebrate my cousin Sharon’s eightieth birthday. We laughed, cried, told stories, reminisced and made new memories together. A gathering of seven women of various relations. Cousins, sisters, aunts and nieces, mother and daughters. An in-person configuration we haven’t had for several years. The last time we were all together was nine years ago on my aunt’s ninetieth birthday; this is also Sharon’s mother. My aunt-granny, as she was familiarly called, passed away in November of 2020 during COVID, so there wasn’t a memorial at that time. During this get-together at my cousin’s home for her birthday, we got to celebrate my aunt-granny’s life too. We made a beautiful altar for her; it was like she was with us the whole time!
Again, significant markers in our lives. Important to acknowledge them. As I contemplate my year here on substack, it really has been quite a journey. It started as a yearlong exploration and experiment into writing, researching and sharing. Like most wanderings it has had its twists and turns, ups and downs, gratifications and disappointments.
MY FAVORITE MEMORIES:
Collaborations. They have been so inspiring. Pondering and contemplating a topic with others brings it more into focus. The work and writing always ends up being more than the sum of the parts. I plan to do more.
Participating in
’s a Poem a Day in the Month of May and’s 100 poems. I love the challenge of writing a poem on a specific topic and then reading what others wrote on that subject. I absorb and assimilate something from each person who shares their poetry and the support they give. And many times, the poems I write end up here in one of my posts.Deepening into my relationship with writing. Seeing what works and what doesn’t work for me. Getting intimate with my writing constitution and honoring that. This means being honest with myself and not comparing. Recognizing my own cycles, the blocks and the breakthroughs. Respecting them as part of the polarities of life, two sides to the same coin. Finding ways that allow for both because they play off each other.
What I loved the most though, has been the gift of connecting with so many amazing people. Subscribers and writers, you’re the best!
CHALLENGES:
I tend to get caught up in analytics and data analysis. Being a numbers person, this is really easy to do. An ongoing invitation to remember and return to why I am here on substack, that is to write!
On the same theme, I can judge myself by these stats. Reminding me how important it is to write about what I love and am called to express. Not from trying to cater to the numbers or an audience, I need to please myself first.
I can get preoccupied by my own expectations and perfectionism, being awfully hard on myself at times. On the one hand it does drive me towards a greater proficiency. Yet, it can be exhausting, anxiety producing and stressful. With each post I have come to understand more and more how important it is to let go and trust the process.
There is a plethora of exceptional writers here on substack. What makes this a challenge is that at times I feel overwhelmed by the sheer volumes upon volumes to read. And I wish I could be a paid subscriber to them all! I receive and learn from every writer.
WHAT WORKED:
Committing to a routine of posting once a week. I wanted to write regularly, and this supported me in doing so. Was it difficult? Yep! There were times I wanted to quit. But I honored the promise I made to myself, continuing even when it felt trying.
I created two extra sections on my substack website. One for the Wheel of the Year and the other for Tarot Journeys. I loved exploring them both. I was able to complete the wheel for the year in regard to the Sabbats, these celebrations that occur on the equinoxes, solstices and the mid points between. As for the tarot, I loved diving into the major archetypes. I have done nine out of twenty-one so far. And look forward to continuing.
Letting myself be guided to a particular subject. Following the inner nudges and crumbs was quite inspiring. Allowing the topic to arrive rather than forcing it or making it happen. This meant trusting that I would have the necessary time to write about what I received. Words flow freely when I don’t apply pressure and trudge on.
GRATITUDE
I want to thank all those that subscribe to my substack. I truly appreciate your support and especially your comments. I cherish and enjoy the times we share a written conversation. Simple words or going deeper, I love the exchange. What I like about substack, is it connects writers and readers together. Thanks again for being part of mine! Love to you all!
For more information about the liminal and my offerings:
Please go to: https://www.liminalwalker.com/
Stay up-to-date and subscribe
All my writings are free. However, as a Paid Subscriber, you are sending me a message that you acknowledge and value my time and energy that is required to write these posts and you would like to offer me token of appreciation.
Thank you for subscribing whether for free or paid. I appreciate you as well!
Happy Birthday, Liminal Walker Musings! I am so glad to have come to your work recently and look forward to this next journey around the sun, Julie. May this next journey be fulfilled with all manner of goodness.
Congratulations, Julie!!! ♥️♥️♥️ I LOVE your reflections on the year and the way you broke it into favorite memories, challenges, and what worked. I've got my one year and 100th post coming in a couple months and I feel inspired to follow your example here. I feel wholly blessed and grateful to Substack for bringing you into my life. I look forward to your every post and our lovely visits. Here's to many more years of fulfillment to come! 💖🙏😘