The following newsletter is part of my ongoing collaboration with Called.Home, a BIPOC storytelling platform. Throughout the month of May, we are exploring Embodiment. There are some really beautiful workshops, guided journal prompts, and other resources that we want to share with you, so sign up here. See you soon š„°
Hereās the thing Iāve come to accept: embodiment is both new to me and the root of me. Mmmmmm. I like that. Iām gonna be saying that to myself a lot more.
I stay thinking Iām not with earthy shit. Iām constantly telling people, my collaborators, especially, that *I* donāt do growth or healing work. For the most part, itās true. Growth is painful, lonely, and at times, isolating. Ew, Iāll pass. Iāll stay a little longer in habits and patterns that donāt fill me completely but give me something I am familiar with. In some ways, Iām much more into gradual change than abrupt, drastic decision-making.
When Kay approached me about embodiment and told me about the other people they intended to work with, I said something along the lines of, āyou know I donāt really do mindfulness right?ā They laughed and responded:
āOkay, but you do though.ā
They are right. I may not spend time in concentrated meditation, but I am mindful and I am embodied. Iāve often looked at embodiment (and wellness culture, more on that later) as if there is a ārightā and āwrongā way to do it. Binaries are limiting, so right away, Iāve had a limited view of understanding that I do what I aspire to do. When I think of mindfulness, and subsequently, embodiment, I always think in terms of aspiration. Like someday, Iāll:
drink more water and tea instead of coffee and juice
eat more fruit and veggies instead of meat and bread
take the stairs instead of the elevator
work out regularly
meditate
be less anxious
be less
So much of embodiment has been demystifying what Iām holding on to as my āSomeday Tendenciesā and giving myself credit for how I care and show up for myself. Thereās nothing wrong with looking at how other people engage in the aforementioned activities and admiring that but I dishonor my body when I criticize myself for not practicing someone elseās mindfulness. Sure, I can explore yoga and see if Iām called to it. Sure, I can try meditation and see how that makes me feel. But Danialie, you are already embodied. Smoking weed is an embodiment practice. Masturbating is an embodiment practice. Dancing is an embodiment practice. Best believe.
My embodiment comes with a side of coconut rum. It comes through early 00s dancehall rhythms. Not only is that okay, itās lit. Embodiment is something that gets to be 100% about me and how Iām feeling about myself and my body.
Next time, Iām going to dive into the systems and structures that have kept me from feeling capable of doing the things Iām already doing as well as the aspirational spaces I feel arenāt as inviting. Stay tuned.
If youāre looking to hear more about this, I welcome you to the Embodiment StoryTime and TalkBack *tomorrow* May 5, 2021 at 6PM ET. You can RSVP here.
A space for something Iāve been struggling to say to someone I know. Got something you wanna say to someone? Do so here.
I have a new favorite day and I spent it with you. I wouldāve stayed in the breeze and easy of that hill all night if you had. I never want to leave the feeling of dancing in the park after the sun has left for the day. With friends and songs, both new and old, this is joy, personified.
Last Time (feat. Snoh Alegra) - Giveon
Access Denied (feat. Ari Lennox) - Lucky Daye
Thatās On You - Japanese Remix - Joyce Wrice, UMI