Issue #23: art. IDENTITY. the balance of YIN
breast density + ginger shots + after school restraint collapse + increasing JOY
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Mary Osmundsen, White with red center, mixed media on paper, 2018.
“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”
~ Helena Bonham Carter
women + IDENTITY + the balance of YIN
In a world that prizes action, achievement, and outward (Yang) expression, many of us find ourselves feeling drained, disconnected, and yearning for a deeper sense of fulfillment. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), true wellness comes from balancing both the active, outward Yang energy and the receptive, inward Yin energy. For women, especially, this balance is not only vital for well-being but also for reclaiming a deeper sense of identity. In our modern society, where Yang traits like productivity and outward success are celebrated, we often lose touch with the quieter, nurturing, and intuitive aspects of ourselves. Reconnecting with Yin energy allows us to rediscover who we are beneath societal expectations, helping us realign with our authentic identity and feminine potential.
Ways to Cultivate Yin and Reconnect with Identity
Slow Down and Be Present:
In a world constantly urging us to go faster, one of the most radical things we can do is slow down. Making time for stillness and reflection—through meditation, deep breathing, or simply pausing to enjoy a quiet moment—creates space for us to reconnect with ourselves. These moments of presence invite us to reflect on who we are without the distractions of external demands, helping us align with our true identity. Being present with ourselves helps restore Yin and fosters a deeper understanding of who we are beyond what we do.
Connect with Nature:
Nature is a powerful source of Yin energy. Spending time outdoors in nurturing environments like forests, gardens, or near bodies of water helps us tune into our own inner rhythms. As we observe nature’s effortless cycles, we are reminded of our own natural cycles and shifts. These rhythms offer a mirror for our evolving identity, showing us how we, too, can change and grow while remaining rooted in our essence.
Create Art:
Engaging in creative practices allows us to explore and express our inner world, free from judgment or external pressures. Whether painting, drawing, dancing, or writing, art gives us the space to slow down and listen to the quiet voice within. In this process, we can rediscover hidden aspects of our identity and bring them to the surface. The creative flow aligns with Yin energy, inviting introspection and self-expression. Through art, we connect with who we are on a soul level, beyond societal roles and labels.
Rest and Restore:
Yin energy is deeply connected to rest, recovery, and nurturing. In a world that often equates self-worth with productivity, resting can feel like rebellion—but it is essential for reconnecting with our identity. When we give ourselves permission to rest, whether through sleep, yin yoga, or simply lying in a cozy space, we create the time and space needed for reflection. In these moments of restoration, we can listen to our inner voice and reconnect with the core of who we are, free from the noise of everyday demands.
Honor Your Cycles:
Women experience natural cycles of Yin and Yang throughout life—through our menstrual cycles, the changing seasons, and different life phases such as motherhood or menopause. Honoring these cycles allows us to remain connected to our shifting identity. Each cycle, whether it brings energy or asks for rest, is an opportunity to reconnect with who we are at that moment. Creating rituals and routines that support our needs during these times helps us flow with life rather than push against it, reinforcing a deeper understanding of our evolving identity.
By tuning into our Yin energy, we not only connect with our feminine essence but also rediscover the core of our identity. Yin energy invites us to step back from the hustle of outward achievement and tap into the wisdom, intuition, and creativity that reside within. In doing so, we find a sense of peace and self-awareness that grounds us in who we truly are.
Let your Yin guide you back to your center, where the beauty of being, rather than doing, can unfold naturally. In this balance, your authentic self—calm, powerful, and wise—emerges, allowing you to live in harmony with both your inner and outer worlds.
This week’s Five Senses Friday is from artist and friend Mary Osmundsen.
TASTE: Homemade Ginger Shots. I absolutely love anything ginger, especially ginger shots. I’ve been wanting to make them at home for a long time and with a lovely gift of a few extra knobs of ginger from my daughter-in-law, I finally did. It was easy with this recipe from The Coconut Mama. Have an orange slice or piece of pineapple handy to soften the spicy kick. It’s delicious, anti-inflammatory and great for digestion.
SEE: Artist, Valaria Tatera, and I had an instant connection when we met over 15 years ago. We were both making visceral art about our mothers who died of cancer. For years we shared a studio. I watched Val’s work evolve as she brought her once hidden cultural history as an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to light. Her work (focused on feminine/matriarchal healing, resilience, and justice) is personal, political, and absolutely stunning. She is currently in an exhibition, Necroarchivos de las Americas: An Unrelenting Search for Justice, at the University of Oregon. You can view the exhibition virtually here, see her work on Instagram: @valariatatera_art and listen to her tell her story in an interview with the Museum of Wisconsin Art:
SMELL: Alice’s Garden’s Herbal Hair Spritzer. My current favorite of the fresh, herbal products that Venice William’s makes from herbs grown on the 2-acre urban oasis that is Alice’s Garden, is an herbal hair spritzer: rosemary, lavender, and peppermint blended in distilled water. I use it daily to strengthen my hair, which has been thinning as I make my way through menopause. It smells like summer and my stylist has noticed a difference in the fullness and texture of my hair. Thank you, Venice!
HEAR: The Moth Presents: Dasha Kelly Hamilton | Fishtail of Two Cities | Anchorage Mainstage 2023. Dasha Kelly Hamilton is a force. She’s written novels, has a national touring show and is making a documentary film called Makin’ Cake about culture, class, race and cake. She’s an incredible storyteller, facilitator, educator, poet laureate, entrepreneur, AND to her surprise… she is also damn good at salmon fishing! She was featured on The Moth Radio Hour telling her story of living between cities, love, and fishing in “waders, fuchsia lipstick and a hot pink hoodie with ‘Alaska’ across the front.” She just finished writing a new novel that I can’t wait to read. The cover of her last novel, Almost Crimson, features one of my drawings.
TOUCH: Seeds, Soil, and Plastic Milk Jugs. I’ve been planting native plants and digging out non-native and invasive plants in our yard for years. I’ve tried growing plants from seed, but because most native seed need cold stratification AND birds absolutely love eating them, I haven’t had much luck. Then I stumbled upon a winter sowing method that is so easy I could hardly believe it. I just cut gallon milk jugs in half, put moistened soil in, threw a handful of seeds in each, pressed them into the soil, taped the jugs back together and left them outside for the entire winter. In spring, most of the jugs were bursting with green sprouts ready to plant. It was incredible! I started my seed jugs during the Winter Solstice, but depending on the seeds, they can be planted anytime throughout the coldest winter months. Seeds emerge as prominent forms in my artwork. I’m interested in how seeds hold memory and are catalysts for transformation. I recently listened to a conversation between author and somatic teacher and facilitator, Prentis Hemphill, and farmer, seedkeeper, and Indigenous seed and food sovereignty activist, Rowan White. They talked about the “intimate immensity” of seeds, how they operate as gateways to our lineage and how our current disconnection manifests as grief.
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!
BREAST health UPDATES..
new regulations on reporting BREAST DENSITY
This week, the FDA implemented new rules regarding breast density notifications in mammogram reports to improve women's breast health. Starting September 2024, all mammograms must indicate whether a patient has dense or non-dense breast tissue, a crucial detail because dense breast tissue can obscure cancer on mammograms and is also associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The updated guidelines ensure women receive clear information about their breast density and encourage discussions with healthcare providers about potential additional screenings, such as MRIs or ultrasounds, which could help detect cancer more effectively in dense breasts. Supplemental screenings may not always be covered by insurance, so patients are encouraged to weigh the benefits with their doctors based on individual risk factors. MedXpress.
JOIN us at the EVOLVE mindful market
SUNDAY, sept 22nd from 10am-2pm @ivyhouse
Mark your calendars, grab tickets, and pop in to see us and a vibrant array of amazing vendors invited to help you prioritize your personal wellness journey. This is your opportunity to connect, learn, and elevate your well-being in a supportive community.
Come join us for a day of genuine growth and transformation!
Learn more and get tickets here!
Read on for some other things on our radar this week including after school restraint collapse (aka meltdowns), this season’s most anticipated art shows, how others are using art as a means to supporting their health, and the practice of using JOY LISTS!
Oh if you have an idea of where to find a used + working typewriter, send us a message! Sylvie has requested one for her birthday so Theresa is on the hunt!
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