When the mask falls off
Leaving an absence of ease
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” Virginia Woolf
Some days it’s not all unicorns and pink lemonade.
Some days it’s best to describe just how it is. Which is…
“I’m struggling to keep up. I’m struggling to find any words of inspiration.”
Not the poetic kind. Not even the journalling kind.
As you’ll know, if you read my Substack on a regular basis, I’m a woman who journals every single day. Who coaches through words. Who processes through writing. Who hosts beautiful retreats and nourishing workshops around the power of putting pen to paper.
But today? There seems to be no words. Well, nothing you’d class as inspirational or upbeat. So much so, I almost deleted this newsletter. My creativity tank is empty of words, and I’m feeling dis-of-ease. But to not show up on here, to not share my thoughts, my present emotional situation, that would just be a cop out. Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that, because today’s essay will either land ok with you, maybe even resonate, or it simply won’t.
It’s a very personal essay so I’ve placed it behind a paywall for good reason. Throughout December I’ll be taking time offline to reset. I won’t be creating any new content but re-sharing some of my most popular essays. As I’m under strict instructions to rest, to give my mind, body and soul the time it needs to heal. There are some exciting changes on the horizon for me and Ease Retreats in 2026, so all being well when I return in January I’ll give you a little update.
