The Rhythms of Women - Sharing Women's Stories

Every Friday, I'm going to be sharing women's stories.

This was born out of the idea that women are constantly experiencing cycles, seasons, and transitions in life. And it can be so difficult sometimes. I myself struggle with change when I have no control over it. I noticed that most of the women who I worked with before were going through some kind of pattern disruption (whether good or bad) or some kind of transition. Finding their purpose in life, going through a breakup, menopause, or re-discovering their creativity.

I thought I was a wizard of change. I've moved up, down, and across the world. I've gone to many extremes. I've worked on myself to no end. Going through a separation and divorce, changing careers, going back to school for a PhD (twice) -- these were all in the name of change. Pattern disruptions. Deliberate change.

But then, after a long year of the 'rona and not being able to travel, see or hug friends, just when I thought the end of such a tough year might bring some relief, my lifelong best friend died of brain cancer on the day after Christmas. This, I had no control over. This, was the most extreme pattern disruption ever. This was the event that forced me to change or transition in no way that I had ever done before. I had no idea that such intense grief could ever exist and I had no way of navigating through it myself. I hired a grief therapist and another ecotherapist almost immediately. At that moment I went from being "the supporter" to being the "the supported"... and it was in that moment that I was thrown into the Fertile Void -- a place where *doing nothing* was the best thing that I could possibly do to nurture myself, to nurture the soil.

In that space I rediscovered what is really important. Most of what I had done before and the things that I'd entertained before so did not matter. I rediscovered my creativity instead. Countless journals have been filled, as the dam broke and the words flooded the pages. I've allowed mother nature to bring me to my knees in awe once again, where before there were things about my ecology that I'd just gotten used to. I learned, once again, how to just listen. And finally, I've reconnected with some of the most amazing women in my life.

The Rhythms of Women project is something that I'd been dreaming up and/or planning for years but I only just recently realized how simple and beautiful it could actually be. That involved letting the soul of this project speak to me and involved me releasing control and just listening.

That's why I'm sharing the stories of women. Hopefully, if someone (anyone) reads just one story, it will incite some kind of meaning, compassion, or a common sense of humanity in their lives. During a time that's made it so hard to connect with each other, to share our struggles, and to share our love for one another, my hope is that this will move us in a new direction.

This week, I'm starting with my daughter Sophia (pictured below, in the park with a book) because her birthday is tomorrow. She's a woman who has taught me more than anyone else ever could. I won't tell her story for her. I'll just take a moment to celebrate her right now. I don't think it's a coincidence that she was born during International Women's History Month. She's a force of nature.

To all women: you are valuable. Your story matters. I see you and I love you. May you be appreciated for who you really are.

Korynn xx