Congratulations on your Substackaversary, Andrei! I'm so delighted I get to celebrate this wonderful day by being included in your guest post. Thank you for this great honor and privilege!
Nadia, this is an extraordinary piece. I can feel the transformation happening even as the essay progresses, just like you described her album—tentative, vulnerable at its opening and howling with self-compassion and hope at the end. (Now I feel like I need to needle-sculpt you a white wolf!)
This phrase claimed so much truth:
“looking inward to reclaim your strength and freedom in order to break away outwardly.”
While that inward journey can sometimes feel laborious, empty, wayward and uncertain, it is indeed where we reclaim the strength that is then exercised through our choices in the outer world.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us!
Thank you so much dear Kimberly. There is a version of this that is a bit more angry, but I'm hoping this is more compassionate towards the other person and myself. I'm glad the essay resonated with you. Through self reflection and resilience we can become stronger and more confident. And oh my goodness...I do love wolves! Aaaaooooo! :-* <3
Nadia, Sometimes someone else's comment says what I want to say but better, as Kimberly does here. Nadia, that was such a double whammy, physical illness and emotional loss/trauma. My wife woke me this morning telling me about a dream with wolves. I wonder where I could listen to her music, any idea? Thank you for this piece (of your heart) of writing. Wes
Hey, Weston! You can find many of her songs on Youtube. Not 100% sure about all the ones mentioned in this piece, though I believe so. Thanks for reading!
Thank you so much, Weston! I so appreciate that. As Andrei has mentioned, a lot of her songs are on YouTube. Bandcamp also sells her music (https://elisapie.bandcamp.com/music).
Congrats, Andrei! And Nadia: my goodness, each time the outer layer peels off, there's another more tender and beautiful one beneath. Thank you for sharing this - Elisapie is a new favorite. 💜
Gosh, this is beautiful. I’m struck both by Nadia’s words and by your soul-affirming trust of a guest writer with your space. Thanks for allowing us to witness 💜
A beautiful, moving essay, Nadia! And congratulations, Andrei. I like this name for the Substack, Attempts to tell the truth; good luck for the next year.
What a beautiful and poetic essay, Nadia. Thank you for opening your heart and for these soothing images. One day we'll miss snow. I already feel melancholic about it even though winter is almost upon us here in Austria.
Thank you so much, Claudia! I miss snow too. In NJ we’ve been getting it less and less as well. And this time of year, we’re somehow spring weather and in drought almost three months. 11 years ago, it was fairly cold this time of year and quite rainy too. I hope you’ll get to experience some snow this year.
Nadia, what a heartfelt post. Really touched by your writing and truth you share here. Many hugs.
"I felt like Sarah in Labyrinth trying to save her baby brother and escape Jareth’s overwhelming grasp; in my case, I was trying to regain the strength within me to leave a harmful relationship for us both." 🧡
Congratulations on your Substackaversary, Andrei! I'm so delighted I get to celebrate this wonderful day by being included in your guest post. Thank you for this great honor and privilege!
❤️❤️❤️ thanks so much for being a part of this and celebrating with me, Nadia! You’ve been incredibly supportive over the last two years.
You have been as well. Thank you, amigo! :’) Have a grand celebration!
What a splendid celebration! Music is medicine for the soul.
Very true!
So true, so true!
"Looking inward to claim your strength" -- indeed, and so much more. Blessings ...
Thanks for reading, Mary!
Thank you, Mary!
And a better thank you, much as I appreciate this would be to read me as well! Let's support each other. Friendship grows, connection happens ...
Just subbed to you, Mary! I look forward to experiencing your work. Thank you for your time today. <3
Nadia, this is an extraordinary piece. I can feel the transformation happening even as the essay progresses, just like you described her album—tentative, vulnerable at its opening and howling with self-compassion and hope at the end. (Now I feel like I need to needle-sculpt you a white wolf!)
This phrase claimed so much truth:
“looking inward to reclaim your strength and freedom in order to break away outwardly.”
While that inward journey can sometimes feel laborious, empty, wayward and uncertain, it is indeed where we reclaim the strength that is then exercised through our choices in the outer world.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart with us!
Thank you so much dear Kimberly. There is a version of this that is a bit more angry, but I'm hoping this is more compassionate towards the other person and myself. I'm glad the essay resonated with you. Through self reflection and resilience we can become stronger and more confident. And oh my goodness...I do love wolves! Aaaaooooo! :-* <3
Thank you so much for checking this one out, Kimberly!
Nadia, Sometimes someone else's comment says what I want to say but better, as Kimberly does here. Nadia, that was such a double whammy, physical illness and emotional loss/trauma. My wife woke me this morning telling me about a dream with wolves. I wonder where I could listen to her music, any idea? Thank you for this piece (of your heart) of writing. Wes
Hey, Weston! You can find many of her songs on Youtube. Not 100% sure about all the ones mentioned in this piece, though I believe so. Thanks for reading!
Thank you Andrei, I will listen to her.
Thank you so much, Weston! I so appreciate that. As Andrei has mentioned, a lot of her songs are on YouTube. Bandcamp also sells her music (https://elisapie.bandcamp.com/music).
Congrats, Andrei! And Nadia: my goodness, each time the outer layer peels off, there's another more tender and beautiful one beneath. Thank you for sharing this - Elisapie is a new favorite. 💜
Thank you so much, dear Troy. I wrote quite a bit about her, huh! But her music is a balm. <3
Thanks for reading, sir!🎩
Gosh, this is beautiful. I’m struck both by Nadia’s words and by your soul-affirming trust of a guest writer with your space. Thanks for allowing us to witness 💜
I’m glad you were here to witness, Julia!
Thank you so much, Julia! That is so kind. ❤️
For real tho
Awww! :’)
Beautiful writing, Nadia. I’m sorry you went through this but your words touch our souls! 💜
Andrei, congrats on 2 years and excited about your latest project!
Thank you so much, Kathleen! I’m heartened this essay resonates. <3
👋🙏🏻
A beautiful, moving essay, Nadia! And congratulations, Andrei. I like this name for the Substack, Attempts to tell the truth; good luck for the next year.
Likewise, Jeffrey! Love your work!
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! I love how Andrei's title has evolved, and it suits him wonderful space perfectly.
Congratulations Andrei! Hope the novel is progressing well. All the best!
It’s going along. Will be finished sooner or later, thanks, Alexander! 🙏🏻
So proud of you, Andrei!
Same here, buddy!
What a beautiful and poetic essay, Nadia. Thank you for opening your heart and for these soothing images. One day we'll miss snow. I already feel melancholic about it even though winter is almost upon us here in Austria.
Thank you so much, Claudia! I miss snow too. In NJ we’ve been getting it less and less as well. And this time of year, we’re somehow spring weather and in drought almost three months. 11 years ago, it was fairly cold this time of year and quite rainy too. I hope you’ll get to experience some snow this year.
Congratulations on the anniversary, Andrei.
Nadia, what a heartfelt post. Really touched by your writing and truth you share here. Many hugs.
"I felt like Sarah in Labyrinth trying to save her baby brother and escape Jareth’s overwhelming grasp; in my case, I was trying to regain the strength within me to leave a harmful relationship for us both." 🧡
Thank you so much, Nathan! Big hugs to you!