Happy birthday Rachel!!! Beautiful post, happy to see you back sharing your words with us on a special day. Maybe while I’m in Brooklyn I will catch you at open mic number 2! (Expect a reply from me soon) ❤️
Happy Birthday, beauty. Whew, 33 was a YEAR, honey. I loved it because it really felt like turning a corner into the 30s that everyone talked about (caring less what people think, got some dollars, personal style established) but was also a time of like "OH I need to forgive myself for that, get rid of this person, call in these things and let go of those." the work really felt like it started. looking back on that year, I transformed in so many ways. I love when the girls get to 33. let's gooooo!
Whewwwwwwww Iman, that resonated - all of it! I know EXACTLY what you're talking about, I feel like 32 dressed me down the way I shed so many beliefs and practices. The ground feels firm below my feet now, excited to keep becoming the woman I want to be.
You read a lot of great books by women last year, this year I am making the effort to read more female authors, the first will be by another writer here on Substack, Lindsay Byron “Too pretty to be Good”. Then I’ll take one from your list. Cheers 😊
Thanks for sharing! All of them are excellent reads. If you’re into fiction I’d start with A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, it was exceptional and if you’re into non-fiction Wild would be a fantastic place to begin. I laughed, cried, and pretty went through every single emotion.
Thank you Rachel for these recommendations. For some reason the past two books I’ve chosen were non-fiction memoirs, the one above and before this Question 7 by Richard Flanagan. So I’ll choose Wild by Sheryl Strayed and continue that streak. All the best.
Check your library for Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman. It’s a super short AND incredibly imaginative book that’ll get you back on track. I actually think it’ll be right up your alley.
I remember being 33. I was running behind a toddler lol. No, I don't like snow and I don't like winter. I prefer Spring and Fall with a lil bit of Summer.
Thanks for blessing us with your work and your support.♥️
Girl welcome back and happy birthday!!!!! I hope you had a lovely break - I love these goals. I hope you open mic the shit out of NYC this year 😉 its admirable to face a fear so head on!
Seems like from the page, the desk of Rachel Leeke Alexia, congratulations, you are firing your engine. White/blue smoke clouds curl in the rear of the tailpipe, and the engine is idled, but your passion to write again roars like a dog.
I guess you have to warm up like a vehicle. Get your soul lined with your heart and your head aligned to strike the keys upon the apparatus or pencil/pen to the page.
It's all a process as you know dawn well, perhaps better than me, If you don't plan you won't get it done. At least according to what you wrote. I adopted the idea from your essay, and wrapped it around my green thumb, slumbering with procrastination and
wondering where the hell I lax and lag in my space.
I had a routine earlier in 2023 June and half of 2025 January. I study my vocabulary list, next plunge into my “morning page,” hop into a shower, and then prepare my mental facility to open the blinds.
A Midland Public Recreation Park, Charlotte, NC trails down a path, along the flank treeline of Kings Dr., despite a detour Reconstruction site in the park outside of the park to a huge intersection, Kings Dr. down to Morehead Street intersection finally trails through the crosswalk, and picks up at the greenway around a tennis courts, more Reconstruction sites with Mexican building a “Nature Museum on the opposite of the park and the greenway picks again threading down into the Freedom Park lake.
I have taken ten thousand steps a day, for the last three months, but for whatever reason I find myself drifting along, now, noticing procrastination growing like mildew along my slumber mood. Founding the other excuses, why I am not prompt life Sunday night football.
Finally, I adopted your concept, “If I don't write it down, it won’t get done.” So, I presumed, perhaps, should I be kind enough to create a schedule to secure the performance of my “routine,” adjustments of planning the night before would allow the ducks to click away.
Happy birthday Rachel!!! Beautiful post, happy to see you back sharing your words with us on a special day. Maybe while I’m in Brooklyn I will catch you at open mic number 2! (Expect a reply from me soon) ❤️
Thanks so much! Linking up would make me really happy. I’m excited for this new chapter of life and season of sharing 😋
Happy Birthday, beauty. Whew, 33 was a YEAR, honey. I loved it because it really felt like turning a corner into the 30s that everyone talked about (caring less what people think, got some dollars, personal style established) but was also a time of like "OH I need to forgive myself for that, get rid of this person, call in these things and let go of those." the work really felt like it started. looking back on that year, I transformed in so many ways. I love when the girls get to 33. let's gooooo!
Whewwwwwwww Iman, that resonated - all of it! I know EXACTLY what you're talking about, I feel like 32 dressed me down the way I shed so many beliefs and practices. The ground feels firm below my feet now, excited to keep becoming the woman I want to be.
Happy Birthday Rachel I posted a new poem today maybe you would like it:
https://open.substack.com/pub/bendambrosio/p/a-chronic-paean?r=3zkd2z&utm_medium=ios
You read a lot of great books by women last year, this year I am making the effort to read more female authors, the first will be by another writer here on Substack, Lindsay Byron “Too pretty to be Good”. Then I’ll take one from your list. Cheers 😊
Thanks for sharing! All of them are excellent reads. If you’re into fiction I’d start with A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, it was exceptional and if you’re into non-fiction Wild would be a fantastic place to begin. I laughed, cried, and pretty went through every single emotion.
Thank you Rachel for these recommendations. For some reason the past two books I’ve chosen were non-fiction memoirs, the one above and before this Question 7 by Richard Flanagan. So I’ll choose Wild by Sheryl Strayed and continue that streak. All the best.
Please keep me in the loop. I’d love to know your take on it.
Yes I will! 👍🏼I’d love to know yours of my latest poem too 😊
Happy birthday and welcome back and congrats on all your wins I want to read a book a month this year and I’m already behind.
Thank you for the well wishes!
I believe you’ll make 12 books happen!
Check your library for Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman. It’s a super short AND incredibly imaginative book that’ll get you back on track. I actually think it’ll be right up your alley.
Happy Birthday!🥳
I remember being 33. I was running behind a toddler lol. No, I don't like snow and I don't like winter. I prefer Spring and Fall with a lil bit of Summer.
Thanks for blessing us with your work and your support.♥️
The transitional seasons are the best - layers galore. Also why are toddlers so fast? Their meaty legs have such power.
I have no idea but I'm glad those toddler years are over😂.
Heard 😂
Happy birthday! This is beautiful! I am so excited for you and this journey!
Thank you for reading and the well wishes, Diamonde.
Looks like you have a great plan going into this year. Best of luck. I look forward to following along.
Thank you, Matthew!
Girl welcome back and happy birthday!!!!! I hope you had a lovely break - I love these goals. I hope you open mic the shit out of NYC this year 😉 its admirable to face a fear so head on!
Thanks Martha! “open mic the shit out of NYC” might just be my new fav phrase! 😂
Happy birthday!!! Great post!
Thank you and thanks for reading Cliff.
Seems like from the page, the desk of Rachel Leeke Alexia, congratulations, you are firing your engine. White/blue smoke clouds curl in the rear of the tailpipe, and the engine is idled, but your passion to write again roars like a dog.
I guess you have to warm up like a vehicle. Get your soul lined with your heart and your head aligned to strike the keys upon the apparatus or pencil/pen to the page.
It's all a process as you know dawn well, perhaps better than me, If you don't plan you won't get it done. At least according to what you wrote. I adopted the idea from your essay, and wrapped it around my green thumb, slumbering with procrastination and
wondering where the hell I lax and lag in my space.
I had a routine earlier in 2023 June and half of 2025 January. I study my vocabulary list, next plunge into my “morning page,” hop into a shower, and then prepare my mental facility to open the blinds.
A Midland Public Recreation Park, Charlotte, NC trails down a path, along the flank treeline of Kings Dr., despite a detour Reconstruction site in the park outside of the park to a huge intersection, Kings Dr. down to Morehead Street intersection finally trails through the crosswalk, and picks up at the greenway around a tennis courts, more Reconstruction sites with Mexican building a “Nature Museum on the opposite of the park and the greenway picks again threading down into the Freedom Park lake.
I have taken ten thousand steps a day, for the last three months, but for whatever reason I find myself drifting along, now, noticing procrastination growing like mildew along my slumber mood. Founding the other excuses, why I am not prompt life Sunday night football.
Finally, I adopted your concept, “If I don't write it down, it won’t get done.” So, I presumed, perhaps, should I be kind enough to create a schedule to secure the performance of my “routine,” adjustments of planning the night before would allow the ducks to click away.