< < < < < < 2024’s Unfolding > > > > >
I’ve been preparing for the new year by looking back through the past year and deleting/organizing old photos. As a culture we place so much value on documentation and preservation. It goes counter to nature’s life-death-life cycles. As an archivist, I’m learning discernment and doing my best to listen to my intuition about what to document & share, and what to release.
This was a year that asked me to surrender to the unseen, and I’m deeply changed as a result of it. I feel supremely grateful to be alive, and even more grateful for the ways that spirit has shaped and reshaped me. I know that life has phoenixed me many times, and I am understanding that this is its ever-folding and unfolding nature.
Below you’ll find my 2024 highlights, followed by end of year reflections.
I hope that as you move through this winter season, you allow yourself time and space to be in sacred practice with catch and release, with devotion and letting go. May you have space for that which truly connects to your heart, your spirit, and your purpose—I pray that you will have the courage and self-trust to let the rest fall away. I pray that you will be present with your own process of integrating the past, and find your rituals and way to carve out the weightless future you always dreamt of.
Year in Review:
Esperanza + Milton release. I shot BTS for the album production and finally got to share it all with family and friends
First time in Morocco, celebrating the love and union of two of my favorite humans
Completed Matriarch principal photography
My essay Self Love: Vision in Darkness was published in an Anthology of Non-Conformism by Dio Press
Did water research in NZ/Aotearoa for Matriarch’s next phase
Solidified new soul connections, let go of some old connections, and healed some as well
Re-launched Loose Leaf Tea
Sustained my monthly Substack and continued to grow this beautiful community
Kept my plants alive! Even brought one plant back to life
Spent a lot of quality time with my family
Photographed/videographed several events, at LACMA, Cierra Britton Gallery and more
Went back to Mexico City and fell in love
Experimented with Sense Beauty and other expressions on TikTok
Released a live music video performance piece
Recorded new demos and worked in/around music as a creator, and archivist
Modeled / performed for some very cool women owned brands
Oh shit, I turned 30! Let me not forget that one
Many lessons in surrender, generosity, and faith
Started offering tarot readings to the collective [As a thank you to my substack community, here’s a promo code for 10% for the month of January: SUB32Q]
Places I visited:
New Zealand (+ Tamaki/Auckland + Poneke/Wellington + Whanganui)
England (+ London)
Morocco (+ Marrakesh)
Mexico (+ Ciudad de México)
USA (+ Los Angeles + San Francisco + Lake Arrowhead)
Deeper Reflections:
On Releasing + Letting Go
Not every idea will come to fruition. Not every article of clothing will suit you forever. Not every human will be there to walk the journey with you as long as you might have hoped. Holding on too tightly sometimes keeps us tethered and disconnected from whatever is present and true, here and now.
I’m learning to trust that I can let go and still honor the depth and beauty of what something meant to me. I have faith that there is some sort of cosmic memory that captures it all—so I choose to release, knowing it will always mean something.
I am learning that I don’t need to share everything. I am learning where my own sacred boundaries lie. What to simply be present with and keep for myself, and what to share with others.
On Discipline + Devotion
Over the past few years, but really over the past decade…slowly but surely I’ve been learning deep listening. I have my tools: my yoga, my somatic practice, my tarot, my prayer, sitting with nature, all tools to get quiet enough so that I can actually hear spirit instructions when they come. Every day is a practice in listening, in presence.
Lately, my creative practice has felt simple. Like being with the birds, listening to the trees, and moving my body with them. I just want to touch things, and remember that despite all the distractions, it is more than enough to just be present with your aliveness.
It can feel incredibly simple, but then I remember that artists are meant to reflect the times, and (I feel) push back against toxic norms, so it makes sense that I would feel drawn to this during the age of over-consumption and constant stimulation.
Over this last quarter of the year I’ve been taking stock of my life and asking myself: what truly deserves my devotion? What is begging for my release? I’m carrying these questions in my pocket is we move from one year to the next, and I invite you to do the same.
I’ll be back in the new year with more thoughts on devotion, and new ideas to put into practice for how to curate this space, particularly for paid subscribers. First, it feels important to be as present as I can with this time of shedding, of creating new space within myself for the things that I’ve always longed for.
Thank you as always for being here. I truly feel and value your presence, and am grateful to have a container outside of social media to connect and express. Substack has been yet another lesson that quality over quantity is what creates depth and richness in my life. If you have any feedback for me or thoughts and ideas for the next year I’d love to hear them.
Enjoy your holiday season, I’ll see you in the new year.
Until then,
💗🌹💗
Reva
I am happy for you, Reva!