Blackbird Diaries

  A slight departure from my usual ramblings, I decided to also offer something for the more spooky, whimsical and romantic souls. In 2011 I started a blog called “Etiquette and the Victorian Gothic Aesthetic”.   It was a very busy endeavor for a couple years before the usual happened: Life shifted. I managed to come back to it a few times up until 2015 and may well begin to add to it again (time permitting) as I still occasionally hear from the wonderfully dark and creative souls who used to follow it. I offer this peek into the archives as insight into how the Darkness has its beauty and its inhabitants are some of the most amazingly loving people I have ever met.   Many, if not most, have overcome incredible situations while others are simply shadowy in the best possible way.   Much of the blog showcases artists I’d come across, some I know, many still plying their wares while others may have closed shop and moved on.   All of them offered, and do offer, brilliant depictions of

  Humor has long been hailed for its therapeutic effects, lifting our spirits and offering relief during challenging times. While laughter is often associated with joy and happiness, there exists a unique form of humor that emerges from the depths of darkness; gallows humor. This dark, edgy, and seemingly inappropriate humor has an intriguing way of helping individuals cope with pain, trauma, and difficult situations. In this post, I’ll explore the concept of gallows humor and how it can be a surprising path to healing and acts as a method of reclaiming personal power. Gallows humor refers to a type of comedy that arises from tragic or distressing situations, where the subject matter is typically taboo, sensitive, or morbid. It often addresses topics such as death, illness, loss, or other difficult life circumstances. The name originates from the term "gallows," the device historically used for public executions, symbolizing the association with dark and grim themes. In t

  Today, I want to begin discussion about a topic that holds incredible potential for personal transformation and empowerment—self-talk. In this post, I will explore the wonders of self-talk, its impact on our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and cover the tremendous influence it wields over our lives. Believe me when I say there is magic in self-talk, paving the way toward a more positive and fulfilling existence. This may be one of many posts on the topic as it applies to so many aspects of life and steps on our spiritual journeys. Self-talk refers to the ongoing inner dialogue we have with ourselves—the thoughts, beliefs, and messages we consciously or unconsciously communicate to our minds. It shapes our perception of ourselves, our abilities, and the world around us. Our self-talk can be empowering and uplifting, or it can be self-limiting and critical. In essence, self-talk is the language through which we communicate our deepest hopes, fears, and dreams to ourselves. Our wor

  Timing is everything, and seldom do we have a say in the most profound coincidences. Perhaps because there is no such thing as coincidence. Every event in life is a deeply orchestrated conspiracy of miniscule, spur-of-the-moment decisions and intricately timed occurrences leading to exactly one outcome out of millions of possibilities. Usually these possibilities were, up until moments ago, completely impossible. But we are human and constantly in search of control, feeding the need to believe that we can orchestrate our futures through detailed contemplation and cautious planning, when in reality, it’s the “Fuck it” moments that lead us to the truth of our own existences. We map out our next steps, figure we have everything lined up to meet that next goal, or experience, when in reality, sometimes we need to burn the map and trust our instincts. Case in point, from my own experience, the unplanned events and knee jerk reactions have not only had the greatest impact in my life but ha

  In this blog post, I would like to offer practical strategies to navigate the stormy waters of anxiety, empowering ourselves to find balance, peace, and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Managing anxiety is an ongoing process, but with mindful practice, it can be a transformative journey and assist you in embracing a life of calm and serenity. Or even a more controlled chaos on your terms. Taking a moment to understand Anxiety is pivotal as it is a natural response to stress and can vary in intensity and duration. It manifests in various ways, like excessive worry, racing thoughts, physical symptoms, or a sense of impending doom. Importantly, anxiety can be managed, empowering us to regain control and find peace and perspective. Begin by cultivating Self-Care Practices. It all begins with reversing the self-deprecation that often comes with or is characterized by Anxiety. If you read my post about the Bastard Anxiety, you’ll probably recognize the patterns of self-crit

    "What you resist not only persists but will grow in size." Carl Jung   Today, I want to dive deep into a subject that has been a pivotal part of my life for decades – shadow work. It's an extraordinary journey of self-exploration that invites us to face our hidden aspects, dark corners, and embrace them with compassion and understanding. So, join me on this empowering path as we unravel the wonders of shadow work.   The Hidden Power Within   We all have that side of ourselves we'd rather keep hidden from the world – the fears, insecurities, and unresolved wounds that we bury deep within. Yet, the truth is that beneath those shadows lies immense potential, untapped wisdom, and incredible strength. Shadow work offers us the opportunity to discover and integrate these hidden gems into our lives, allowing us to cultivate a sense of wholeness and authenticity.   Embracing the Darkness   Embarking on the profound journey of shadow work means stepping into the shadows of