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Diane B's avatar

I love the idea of the arena Brooke, thank you for the reminder ❤️ Brene Brown is brilliant. Before I read your post today I had a conversation with my son. I told him that I plan to retire in the next 5 years, but would really love to find a rental that is secure. It’s a biggie for me the whole security thing, coming from a childhood that was anything but and then losing my home when my husband and I divorced. My grown son told me that I should just move somewhere new where it’s cheaper and not worry about it, go live interstate and travel. All unbidden advice. I wasn’t angry, I just told him that I do travel and will continue to. I said that my family and friends are important to me and I do not want to move away from my network of love and support. He said it doesn’t bother him that he has. I told him that he isn’t me and I’m not him, our values are different and we are free to do as we please. He ended up saying not to worry about security, he’ll be there for me. Bloody kids, they put you through the wringer and then say something sweet. Love the sound of the mini care and rituals workshops.

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing this, Diane. I particularly love that you were able to discern that it was all unbidden advice and that while you weren't angry, you stood firm. Such a brilliant example of letting go of the words we don't need to hold on to, and, hopefully, the peace that comes along with that.

Nice to know that kids putting you through the wringer and following up with something sweet doesn't go away! 😆💚

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Blythe Edwards's avatar

Thanks for sharing. I especially love the input offered by your son. Isn't it funny how things change once our kids get older? My kids insert their opinions quite freely which is hilarious. They question my decisions and ideas, yet want me to support all of theirs with the same openness. I am grateful for the conversation, but I smile and let most of their suggestions float over me.

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Winsome Brown's avatar

Arenas and brooms ! It's a long weekend here in NZ (the monarchy is good for something once a year!) and I had already planned to spend some of it working on my own private rebellion ~ what it looks like and how to go about it. The metaphorical brooms are lined up and I now have this whole arena idea to play with as well. Thanks Brene and Brooke - you stars!

My two cents worth ~ love the idea of mini-workshops and I'm particularly drawn to:

SLOW ~ legacy, balance, what to do when it all falls apart

CARE ~ awe, creativity, rest

RITUALS ~ all of them :)

Kia pai tō rā whakatā koutou | have a great weekend everyone

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend. (Ours is this weekend, and as you say, the monarchy's good for something!!) Let me know how you went with your private rebellion - I'm having a lot of fun and a lot of revelations. It's been quite the ride this term so far.

Thank you for the input on the workshops too. I've got loads of ideas, so I'll keep you posted on where I land. 💚

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Kristen C's avatar

I am trying hard to turn off my own and other voices that aren’t helpful.

I am going to try some of those responses.

All the ideas are interesting and I think I am most interested in care and slow.

Have a nice weekend

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Blythe Edwards's avatar

Sometimes I wish I had a Post-it on me at all times to remind me of these statements. They would come in handy when I am caught off guard. I should laminate them and put them in my purse.

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

I actually love that idea!

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Good luck with it Kristen! It's definitely a work in progress for me too. I find it helpful to visualise and fall back on those responses as needed. I'm hoping it's just like a muscle - practise will bring strength.

And thank you for the input on the workshops too! I'll keep you posted over the coming days with what I'm going to start with. 💚

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Dr. Kate Henry's avatar

Hi Brooke! I love this post and love your ideas for the mini-workshops! I'd be happy to benefit from either of them, though personally am feeling a draw towards CARE right now. Thanks for all you do!

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thank you lovely Kate! Another vote for Care. And thank YOU for being here and all the goodness you put into the world. xx

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Shirley🌻's avatar

I have them all. I will happy for Rituals. interesting subject as well sensitive to write about. I like it, thank you

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much Shirley, I really appreciate it. 💚

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Orsi's avatar

One vote for SLOW themed retreat, thanks for asking!

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Blythe Edwards's avatar

Great idea!

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much Orsi!! x

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Gillian & Li'l Bean's avatar

I love your protection phrases... "There's an idea" - I shall have to practice it in front of the mirror without eye rolls or heavy sarcasm :). The RITUALS idea sparks the most interest for me, I feel in need of anchoring but in the everyday chaos of ever changing school and work schedules making anything regular feel elusive. xo

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Haha I hear you! Sometimes I'm not sure I can trust my face, even if the words are right.

Lots of interest in the rituals workshops too - I'll keep you posted, Thanks as always for being here Gill! x

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Jan's avatar

Hi mini workshops sound a great idea and at this moment in time resonates the main thing st with me x

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much Jan 💚💚

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Melinda's avatar

I am SO keen for some mini-workshops! The topics in the ‘slow’ and ‘rituals’ categories are speaking to me the strongest atm.

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Melian's avatar

I really like your thought of defining the arena. It makes it concrete and more specific. It helps me to focus on what is important to me and what actions to take and what are not so important. I would really like your thoughts on that in a mini- workshop :-) But play and movement are also very interesting to me.

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much, Melian! It’s been helpful to me to do that too so I’m really glad it hit home for you. 💚

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Tami Siobhan's avatar

I love the idea of mini-workshops. Rituals and Care are the two speaking to me right now. I love Slow and would attend/watch if this was the chosen workshop.

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thanks so much Tami! I'll keep you posted 💚💚

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Sarah's avatar

I think the CARE retreat sounds like what I want my life to be. But the RITUALS feels like what the over achieved in me wants. Maybe it will help me to achieve mindfully instead of trying to do all the things

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Haha, yeah I definitely feel that Sarah! I started with the rituals stuff way back in the day and I was so glad I did. It gave me a foundation on which I could build the other stuff. I'll keep you posted about the first workshop, it should be hitting inboxes in a couple of weeks. 💚

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Sarah's avatar

I think I need to develop new rituals now that I am a mum. I also need to accept there is only so much I can do when my son is asleep! I think my biggest struggle is I think of plenty of things I need to do, but as soon as he is asleep I forget all the urgent things. I need a good system of keeping track of what I need/want to do while also being present with Jack

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Oh i remember that feeling so well. It was part "I'll do this, then I'll do that, then I'll be happy, or maybe I'll do this too THEN I'll be happy" and part "What was I going to do? I just need to sit here for five minutes..." It's a huge transition and transitions are a bit messy. You'll find your new normal soon. xx

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Shireen's avatar

SLOW: Disconnecting

(currently obsessed with US presidential race candidate 😬). I go through phases of online addiction. That’s why there are no games on my phone.

CARE: all ❤️ Top ones are: connection, awe, creativity & Rest

RITUALS: all again ❤️ Top ones are: unplugging, tilting & noticing

I really appreciate the variety in your posts. I’d gotten behind in listening, so caught up on the last few months over our long weekend here in NZ. Thanks for all that you share Brooke 😘

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Oof, yes, I hear you Shireen. I've intentionally disconnected from that circus this time around and I think I'm in a better place for it.

Thank you a million for your input on the workshops, and for your lovely words. I hope your long weekend was a delightful one. 💚💚

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Kate Norbury's avatar

Sorry l am late to this thread but I love the idea of mini workshops so thanks for asking our opinions Brooke. I like the idea of the slow choices and then l saw that the care one included play, which l think should be encouraged at every opportunity one can find. I recently did the artist way course in a group (again) and the woman who ran the group defined PLAY as FOCUSED CURIOSITY. So enjoyed that definition and taking it on board. I do also enjoy the challenges that you have encouraged in the rituals list. So many good ideas, so encouraging to read others opinions on what makes them feel inspired.

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

I agree with you on play! More play for us all I reckon! (And I say that as someone who has always struggled to be playful) I love your redefinition of it too - focused curiosity, I love that. Thank you for sharing it!!

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Candice's avatar

I'm also interested in the rituals workshops, particularly rhythms.

I've been thinking about the arena quote and while the spirit of it is about shedding what can harm us it did get me thinking about entering new arenas where I actively want to gather ideas and advice. When we move we will have a yard and I want to grow a garden so that is an arena I'm keen to purposefully enter. We're also near a bouldering gym and I've never done that before but I want to try so I'm really excited to test that arena out too 😄

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

That's such a powerful way of looking at it Candice - I love it. And I agree, the whole mentality of the arena can be a protective one, but it can also be one you stride into, ready to see what it holds. That's why I think we have multiple arenas at any given time, and hopefully not all of them we feel like we need to defend! (A bouldering gym would be so rad to have nearby!)

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Angie Light's avatar

Hi!

Yes please on mini workshops:

Rituals are speaking loudly to me. All the ideas sound lovely though …

Looking forward to it!

Angie

San Juan Island, WA

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Brooke McAlary's avatar

Thank you lovely Angie, from your lovely corner of the world! I'll be keeping everyone updated over the next week or two. xx

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