#10: the DISCOVERY of becoming

matrescence + summer rituals + picnic ideas + SO MANY DICKS

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“The journey toward self-discovery is life’s greatest adventure.”
~Arianna Huffington

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This week’s Five Senses Friday is inspired by this week’s podcast guest, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Lauryn Beecher and the things that bring her joy. If you missed her chat with Dr. Emily Lombard on the importance of pelvic floor health on the podcast this week, listen to it here!

TASTE: Endangered Species Hazelnut Toffee Chocolate Bar. A little something sweet is my favorite way to end the day (or sometimes enjoy an afternoon pick me up)!  Savoring a square or two of a quality dark chocolate can provide health benefits like lower cholesterol and a decreased risk of heart disease.

SEE: Lake Michigan. I'm fortunate enough that my office is just a few blocks away from the Lake. I try to take a few moments on my way home to swing by the lake or take the parkway home and walk along the river each week. More evidence is emerging that something as simple as looking at water (virtually or in person) can have a calming and soothing effect on our bodies.

SMELL: Beneath the Pines Candle Co. Lavender + Cedar Musk Room Spray. I love a spritz or two of this spray in my room just before bed. The combo of geranium and cedar with a hint of lavender is just what I need to help wind down at the end of the day. 

HEAR: The Goal Digger Podcast. If you are looking for tools to help you authentically pursue your goals, this is the podcast for you. Jenna Kutcher and her guests bring together their real life stories and strategies to help you cultivate your dream business and life with joy, all while maintaining your inner peace.

TOUCH: OMG Yes. Much of my work is centered around bridging the gap between sexual pain and pleasure. OMG Yes is a resource I wish I had in my early 20's that I share with many of my clients who are now having pain free sex and are ready to figure out what feels good for them! This platform provides a step by step guide of exploring pleasure, with many techniques focus on different types of touch!

What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!

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We are grateful to share support this season with

The team at North Shore Wellness Collective believes when we take care of women, the world is a better place. And that by taking care of moms, our entire community heals. With more than 30 providers, the Collective is dedicated to supporting fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatrics. This diverse group offers a wide range of services, including postpartum group fitness classes and pilates, adult and pediatric physical therapy, doula and newborn care, child psychology, holistic nutrition, massage and medical care. www.northshorewellnesscollective.com

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Sneak Peak of Episode 5:
Theresa chats with Jessica Speer about having important conversations with our kids.

Stay tuned next Wednesday for the full episode!
Until then, catch up on episodes you missed on our website, here on Substack, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

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my (theresa) WIN: the becoming of MOTHERHOOD

“Everyone knows adolescents are uncomfortable and awkward because they are going through extreme mental and bodily changes. But, when they have a baby, women are expected to transition with ease.”

~Lucy Jones in her new book, Matrescence: On Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood

If you’re not familiar with my story, here’s a brief clip. I was a reiki practitioner and birth doula when I got pregnant with my daughter. I felt pretty okay with how things were going to go. My birth and postpartum leveled me. The whole building came down. And it led me to my work as a postpartum doula. Five years into practicing my work was fulfilling yet missing pieces. It felt incomplete, restricted to an area that felt smaller than what it’s supposed to be. That the support and the experience of postpartum and motherhood were much more expansive than what we were focusing on in the fourth trimester. So I started thinking. And I started digging. This was 2018 and I was googling things like, “the real postpartum”, “what is it like to become a mother”, “what happens when a woman becomes a mother”, and so on. And then I found the Ted Talk on Matrescence by Dr. Alexandra Sacks and everything clicked into place.

Read on for more on matrescence, how to make the most of summer (including picnic ideas + recipes), and the SO MANY DICKS campaign (challenging the disparity in representation on corporate boards). Interested in learning more about matrescence or working with Theresa?