Hi Reader,

Happy Water Wednesday.

I’m writing to you with hair still salty from swimming in the sea. The water has been the best conditions here lately: flat, calm, clear. There’s something magical about how the Atlantic transitions from the windswept, washing machine seas of the spring— with waves that will happily pound you onto the shore— to the mirror glass surface of the summer.

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It’s what I call Lake Atlantic, and it’s my favorite.
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It’s also part of the reason why this newsletter has not been appearing in your inbox lately— I’ve been doing my own form of detox from the digital world and focusing on plugging back into the real one. (If you’re interested in reading more about what that’s looked like for me, let me know and I can do a deeper dive in a later newsletter).
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Part of my digital detox has shown me where my time is going— and where it isn’t. Since becoming more contentious around my phone use, I’ve found myself craving more community. We can get so caught up in the day to day of going through the motions and being productive that we forget that we are biologically wired to live in relationship with others.

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I was seeking the dopamine hits from looking at my phone, rather than connecting and grounding into what was going on around me. I noticed I was becoming less patient, more tired, and felt scattered.

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Since putting the phone down more, I’ve been able to really connect into the present moment. I’ve felt calmer, my mind processes better, and my patience has dramatically increased. Because I’ve been able to be more present and engaged, I’ve felt more connected to those that I do interact with, and have found these interactions to be so very nourishing.

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Community is a fundamental human requirement.

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It can look very different. There are sports communities, neighborhoods, communities around specific causes, civic groups. You don’t have to be in person to experience connection— I’ve been part of several online communities that have filled my cup more than many in-person interactions I’ve had.

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There’s something to be said of gathering with a group of people that share a mutual interest. There’s a real connection that happens. The conversation goes deeper than reality shows and daily life complaints and becomes enlivening, fulfilling. It charges us on a soul-level and leaves us feeling energized, more attuned to who we are and where we fit into the world.
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Community— the people you’re surrounded by— is what is important.

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Insight without action is helpful to no one, so here’s the actions I’m taking:

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1. I’ve partnered with a local yoga studio and this Saturday we’re co-hosting a beach walk. It’ll be an hour of walking meditation (with some fun ocean facts because, hey, I can’t help myself) followed by a short yoga flow. If you’re in the South Florida area, I’d love to have you join.

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2. I’m reaching out to you, friend. If you’re reading this newsletter, you’re already part of my community, and I very much appreciate your presence here. I’ve heard from several folks who are looking for a way to connect with others in this space. (Because the people here are pretty awesome!) With that in mind, I’m creating something that will open this fall, a way for you to connect to the incredible people that are part of this community Stay tuned for that.
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If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere like me, I invite you to go out and play in some water, ideally with a friend. It doesn’t have to be the ocean— it could be a sprinkler in a backyard. Run around like a little kid, and enjoy the season.
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For my friends in the Southern Hemisphere— notice what the water is doing around you in this season. Is it inviting? Frozen? Can you swim or stand in awe along the shores? Again, it doesn’t have to be an ocean. It can be a lake, a river.
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It’s all connected. We’re all connected.

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What does your community look like?
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Fair weather and following seas,
Kara

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