Magic Hour is for Writing
It’s really lovely getting up before the city has awakened. When it’s pitch black, then faint orange horizon just above the Austin city line. From my apartment balcony, I can see, on the far left, the sun slowly rising above the capital. A band of orange, above a dark, brightening blue. The blue outside my window now is like muted ink, a wash of blue-gray watercolor, lights below on buildings, streets, houses and cars flickering a pale yellow. Earlier, the cats were playing with bugs. Now they’re chasing each other.
D has left for the gym. My heel pain is barely there anymore but I’m taking it easy this morning. No 6am Xtreme class for me today. But soon, I’ll head to 7am Pilates, which will be easier on my feet.
Not much time left to write. It’s 6:38am. For some reason, writing in the morning when no one else is around or has awakened feels like writing missives in the dark. Like I’m alone in space sending out messages to any human or sentient being who can read. Or like a shipwrecked sailor sending fervently penned notes in glass bottles.
Writing in the morning while it’s still dark is pure magic. I get why so many writers love writing in the early morning. It’s a time all to yourself, before the rest of the world and its noise comes flooding in.
A Nourishing Conversation
Last night, I listened to Dr Mindy Pelz and Dr Anna Cabeca talk on the free Fast Like A Girl Summit about hormones, how menopause should be relabeled “meno-power” and “meno-pausitivity.” How powerful it is to talk kindly to yourself, to your body, every part just as it is now. Not when you’ve lost the weight, but now. Your body and spirit thrive on postivity and self-love. How women when they lose their estrogen, are less likely to nurture others, but instead, it’s a time to return to nurturing themselves. It’s a powerful time, to step into your throne. Wouldn’t it be nice if we as a society can reframe menopause as a powerful time. This is when many women have second careers, start a business, know what they want or don’t want in their lives.
The conversation was nourishing. Surprising, as this was on a fasting summit. Yet I know firsthand that when paired with a low-carb, keto-ish way of eating, fasting can definitely be nourishing. Euphoric, in fact! It’s not, though, for those who suffer with bulemia or anorexia. But it’s a powerful lever to pull when you need to feel more clarity, lose weight, and prevent metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and even mental health (which I’ve experienced firsthand.)
