June Flourish & Flow

Notes on creativity, connection, and seasonal wisdom

Hi friend! I'm Vanessa - writer, certified life coach, and midlife menopausal maven. I share honest reflections on creativity, energy, and finding flow during midlife. Welcome. 🦋

Hey, friend.

June is upon us.

Halfway through 2025.

I keep seeing all of these reset challenges.

RESET YOUR YEAR!

RESET YOUR LIFE!

RESET YOUR GOALS!

I’ll pass.

Maybe I’m not good at resets?

I dunno, but right now, resets sound tiring and rigid.

Instead, I’m revisiting my FLOW self-care ritual.

I’m shifting from spring’s intense energy to (hopefully) an inward, slow-ish, reflective summer.

Yes, I said inward. I know that word is often associated with winter.

But, for me, summer is when I cocoon.

Maybe it’s because of the oppressive heat and humidity of North Carolina.

Maybe it’s because summers have been challenging in recent years.

Maybe it’s 100 other things and no real reason.

Maybe it’s all okay—either way.

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🖋️ Creativity & Connection

In May, I wrapped up a 10 week writing immersion. The accountability and predicability of writing twice a week, for three hours at a time, had a profound effect on my creativity.

I miss it.

So, for June, I’ll be writing a daily haiku based on my angel cards.

I received these cards in 1994 from my college roommate, as I’ve shared in other posts, she was a bit ahead of her time.

I’ve pulled an angel card every morning for years. They often inspire my energy, my writing, and are deeply tied to my intuition.

I’ve got a beautiful mini black leather journal I purchased in Venice, Italy two years ago. I’ll place it near my cards, along with a favorite pen.

Creativity as medicine. Creativity as comfort. Creativity as joy.

Angel cards from 1994. Well-worn. Well-loved.

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🪄 Practical-ish Magic

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my some of my current favorite things. I thought it would be fun! I’d love to learn what’s on your list—a book, a show, a pen, a snack? Hit reply and let me know, or drop a comment below.

• Undated Laurel Denise horiztonal planner: I’d been eyeing these planners for six months, got a coupon, dove in, and excited to be back in a larger size planner that I can customize for my creative menopausal brain.

• Audiobrary: If you’ve never listened to Julia Whelan narrate an audiobook—go now. Seriously. She’s become my go-to. I was excited to try out her new venture, and love how it supports creatives and writers.

• Clover Balancing Water Balm: I’m using this entire line right now. I love the price-point, I love that my daughter and I bought get results with vastly different skin types. I wasn’t sure if this moisturizer would be enough for my dry skin, but it’s perfect—especially as the weather heats up.

• The Missing Matter podcast: To say I was obsessed with The Lady Vanishes podcast is an understatement. Without giving too much away, Marion’s daughter has launched a follow-up to the original and I’m here for it.

• Haiku: I’m sharing my Menopause in Three Lines haiku poems a few times a week. Maybe I’ll gather them into a tiny book one day.

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🍓 Rituals & Rhythms

Can I be honest for a second?

As I sat down to write this, I thought, “Vanessa, do people really need to keep hearing about FLOW? You’ve been sharing it for years. I mean, you just shared it again in April. People are probably sick of it and want something new.”

Yup. True story.

But…

I need FLOW.

I mean, I came up with it to help myself first and foremost.

(Brand new reader? Check out my FLOW story here.)

FLOW has served me, season after season. Year after year.

As we move into summer, my FLOW changes. Here’s what I’ll be focusing on:

• Feeding myself all the summer fruits (body), reading lots of fiction (mind), taking lots of walks, journaling, and meditating (spirit).

• Loving myself well in this wobbly season—daydreaming, resting, and getting clarity.

• Owning my space by decluttering like mad (nothing is safe in my house!), and taking back some time. Less social media, more in-person meet-ups. More, “No, thank you.” and YES to the right next step.

• Weeding out things and commitments that drain my energy so I can welcome the next right thing.

There are so many ways you can create your own summer FLOW. I’ve simply created a gentle framework for you to explore.

Need some inspiration? Download my free guide filled with printables, tips, and ideas to get you started.

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I’d love to know what topics you’d like me to write about this summer. Use the poll, drop me an email, or comment below.

Here’s to a gentle June. Thank you for being here and I hope this monthly newsletter supports you this month and beyond.

Warmly,

Vanessa 🦋