field notes from the sanctuary | january 2026
a quiet moment in the sanctuary
welcome, friend
thank you for being here. truly.
this monthly-ish newsletter is where i’ll share things i’m learning from the work that i do, collective themes, the jump on all things lumina, and subscriber-exclusive opportunities.
i’m thrilled to share all of these things with you, and beyond appreciative to you for leaning in.
what i’m learning this month
taking stock
between the snowstorm that hit the east coast, the death of alex pretti (a fellow ICU nurse), and growing ICE activity in richmond, it’s been quite the week.
in all instances, i find myself (consciously and unconsciously) responding in the same way: taking stock of what i have, what i don’t have, and what i can do to get to where i need to be.
here’s an easy example: the storm. if you’re on the east coast, you’ve heard non-stop about how bad this snowstorm would be. the messaging sent us all to our evaluate our fridges and pantries to see what’s low in stock and what needs to be replenished.
similarly, current events have motivated me to take stock of my proverbial life pantry. in all situations i find myself asking: what do i have? what don’t i have? what do i need to feel prepared? what do i need to get by?
here’s an honest inventory from my very frazzled nervous system:
what do i have?
a birth certificate from another country, a partner whose safety i worry about, a nursing license, a platform, a place to practice peace.
what don’t i have?
assurances that we will be okay. that my partner will be okay. that i too won’t be profiled, family close by.
what do i need to feel prepared?
community, emotional support, the backing of friends and family, safety plans, bringing our passports with us everywhere we go (but idk if that even matters anymore!)
what do i need to get by?
small wins, connection, reminders to take care of myself, a greater sense of balance in all areas of my life, to give to my community, however small that may look, be open to receiving
okay cool, but like, what does this mean for me though?
in these tumultuous times, i encourage you to take stock in a way that feels balanced. taking stock is simpler way to conceptualize reflection.
here’s one way to start: ask yourself these same questions. answer them.
then ask yourself the same questions from a different perspective. here’s my quick-and-dirty stab at the same questions from a mindset of abundance:
what do you have?
a peaceful home, a loving partner, two fur babies that make every day a little brighter.
i have food in my pantry and fridge. i still have power, heat, and water. i have my job, my community, my peaceful practice.
what don’t i have?
i am grateful to not be navigating more complex issues on top of everything else going on, and my heart goes out to anyone who is currently navigating that. my partner hit a deer on friday on his way to an appointment, and his car is now in the shop. we are down a car, but i do not have a partner stuck in the hospital recovering from injury.
what do i need to feel prepared?
whatever i can do to regulate myself.
water. whole foods. self-care, however that looks.
information - keeping up with current events in small doses, so i can stay informed and try to minimize overwhelm.
what do i need to get by?
interestingly, the things I need to “get by” don’t change. It’s the same in fear and in abundance: small wins, connection, balance, giving and receiving.
i won’t wax poetically for ages here. everyone has something to say these days. we’re all still learning, and many of us are doing the best that we can. giving grace where you can can go a long way.
wishing you all peace, warmth, and safety.
collective themes + opportunities to reflect
the ripple effect of sharing our experiences: being seen + seeing others
there is a subtle shift in energy that takes place when i share my negative experiences with clients, especially when it’s done right after they were brave enough to tell me about something personal or difficult.
there’s a palpable dissolution of fear. It creates space for them to move into relief, and eventually, be understood, even if it’s just a little. and that little bit of understanding goes a long way.
there’s power in helping others not feel so alone in our lived experiences.
some reflection questions:
when was the last time someone made you feel a little less alone in your pain, sadness, fear, or anger?
what did you feel when that happened?
when was the last time you helped someone else feel a little less alone?
what does it look like for someone to hold space for you?
what would it look like for you to hold space for someone you deeply care about?
early access tea - hear it here first!
the community relief session
i created the community relief session to support the rva community. 20% of all proceeds will go to the richmond community legal fund. they provide legal and community care to affected rva citizens.
new perks for the restorative path
i’m introducing a new oracle deck that i’ll begin using exclusively with restorative path clients. think of this as another layer of clarity to your readings during sessions!
newsletter subscriber exclusives
weighted sessions (by request)
i was gifted some beautiful, heavy crystals to use for my practice. if your nervous system responds well to feeling weight on your body (like a weighted blanket!) you can ask for these to be incorporated into your session.
intention sachets - free add-on!
mention the january newsletter to me (text, email, whatever!) before you come in for your next session. i’ll create a customized reiki-infused sachet containing sacred herbs, intention oils, and crystals corresponding to whatever your intention is, along with a description of what’s included.
$10 off your next session
if you subscribed to my newsletter, you should have received a $10 off coupon to your next session. please let me know if you haven’t received this - i am happy to give you a personal $10 off coupon code to go towards your next session.
thank you
i appreciate you being here. for leaning into my little world and for seeing the value in the work that i do. reach out with any questions or comments any time.