Why do I check my notifications more than I check in with myself?

Dopamine detours that give so much but take me further from my body.

The screen feels like a facade for reflection, a portal to distraction (and yet so much connection).

Dopamine detours that give so much but take me further from my body.

I am grateful for the connections, the teachings, the community, the cross-pollinating and abundance of resources that exists through this screen,

But none of them can become fully integrated and embodied until I give myself a break from it,

To reflect and reconnect with the whole of me beyond my eyes and brain.

I ask myself why I check my notifications more than I check in with myself...

Not with shame, but true curiosity.

Why is it so easy to check email, social media, RSS, browser tabs (anyone else lol?), but so hard to pull away to journal or breathe or meditate?

Why do I check? I sorta know but also don’t know… it’s just another pattern to track.

Between intentionally-addictive app designs, the world of possibility at your fingertips, dopamine deficiencies and the proximity screens give me to people I love and people who love what I do far away... it's obvious.

But when I sit and reflect on this through writing, I can feel it...

And I remember my senses again.

Without shame, I remember all that exists where I am in time and place.

To pivot from screen to senses, and probably back again and again, is a practice.

I don't know what true balance looks like, but I grow my awareness and ask...

On what do I truly want to focus?

These are the things I can only figure out when I write and reflect on a soft, welcoming page that doesn't hurt my eyes.

Every time I return to the page is a reminder of my body, and the slowness that the elements invite me back into.

I am grateful for these tactile tethers, these rooted reminders.

In solidarity with all sentient beings,

Rae
(Rachael Amber)

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Current Limited Offerings:

• Cycles 2024 is available to try for just $5, or free with your pre-order for 2025.

• I’ve also made available free boxes of Cycles Journal 2024 for you to share with your community, organization, etc. Just pay shipping.

  • I just want these to find good homes and I know that even with just 4 months left in the year, they can benefit people greatly. <3

• This week only this special new Lunar Cycle Insights Interactive Poster is available for just $10~

I made this poster because even though there are so many other beautiful ones out there, I wanted one that is...

🌕 Interactive: more than just a pretty design - it's also interactive & layered! Each phase, you can write down intentions, goals, or track anything.

🌕 Cyclical & Symbolic: non-linear in design; representing the spiralic expansion of self-awareness through its design and format that begins at the center and expands outwards.

🌕 Seasonal & Phasic: modeled after Cyclical Mindfulness Method, this design helps remind you of the phasic nature of the rhythms of life, large and small - so you can remember to center and cycle through change.

🌕 Astrological: annotated with the astrological glyths each new & full moons, so you can tune into the meaning of the times.

🌕 Cross-reference-able: easily cross-reference and use alongside your Cycles Journal or any other lunar journal, planner or calendar!

🌕 A Visual Cue / Reminder: cues you to check in and remember the inner and outer cycles at play, as well as remember your intentions or goals!

So claim yours for $10 this week only, because I'm only ordering a very small batch! ❤️‍🔥

***if you want it to ship together with your existing Cycles 2025 pre-order, use code POSTERFREESHIPXO at checkout for free shipping!)

**the code will only work if you have an existing order for a 2025 Cycles Journal via our s!te.

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Resources & raffle for the ongoing Palestinian genocide, through which innocent people across the lands continue to die and endure inhumane conditions every day.

1. Enter my original art raffle for as little as $5 for an entry (or $20 for 5 tickets) from which 50% of proceeds are directly forwarded to families & individuals trying to evacuate or receive medical support.

2. Sign the Not Another Bomb petition!

3. Send an email now to your Congress people to tell them to stop starving Gazans.

4. A helpful Informative Action Toolkit.

5. Amazing organizations: Operation Olive Branch (amazing database which I use to find donation needs), Jewish Voices for Peace, World Beyond War…

6. Educate yourself with this amazing library of free literature.