I’ve just spent the last two weeks in spiralling into a terrifying and very real-feeling abyss of fear and worry. I didn't catch it creeping up on me and I completely forgot who I really am and lost sight of reality. I've caught myself now and for the time being have been able to remember who I am and sense into the work I am being called to do in this moment, and I want to share my experience with you—not only because I know I’m not alone in this, but because I learned something that I think we all need to hear right now and I hope sharing about it can help.
For the past two weeks, my mind has been a runaway train. In a misguided attempt to get news and updates (the need to understand is always linked to the need for control) fear quickly took over. I found myself glued to my phone, caught in endless loops of worst-case scenarios, unable to look away, unable to stop scrolling, searching for news and trying to piece together what was happening so I could figure out what was coming next. I allowed my attention to be completelty hijacked; I was unable to create, be present with my family, or even breathe deeply. Everything had tightened, I could feel my spirit shrinking almost in real time. I wasn’t living—I was bracing.
Finally yesterday I walked dazed into the lobby of my physiotherapy clinic and ran into a neighbour. He smiled and asked how I was doing. I burst into tears and couldn't stop. All fear tears. Poor guy didn't really know how to respond. He suggested I stop looking at the news.
Later in the afternoon, while talking to a woman I have been doing some coaching with, I realized, this is not how we are meant to live, this is not how I want to live, and maybe most importantly... for those of us who have been hearing a deep yearning related to creativity our whole lives, this is actually our moment - we are being called forth for the most important work of our lives; the world we have spent hundreds of years building at the expense of our own enjoyment, freedom and life itself is broken. What we created wasn't working. And Creativity (or God or the Universe whatever you want to call her) is destroying it to make way for us to try again, to create something that will, a new world. And we are the creators of this, her trusted collaborators. She is counting on us.
We cannot do this work of building a new reality from crumpled up piles of stress hormones under the bed sheets, or from our wide-eyed trance as we scroll endlessly on our little hypno-devices looking for answers. The answers and guidance for what is to come is not out there.
Fear pulls us out of ourselves, disconnects us from our deepest wisdom. And in these moments, we need something to bring us back—a tether to our true nature, something solid to hold onto when everything else feels like it’s slipping away.
For me, that tether has always been the work I do. For nearly 20 years I have made talismans of beautiful objects from the natural world to remind you of the enormous thing you belong to. Every piece of jewelry I create is an anchor, a physical reminder of what is real, what is sacred, what is unshakable. When I make these pieces, I do it with the intention that they will help the people who wear them stay connected—to themselves, to their purpose, to their truth.
As I sat in meditation this morning, my fingertips gently tracing the three warm, dark Pebblebellies resting against my skin, a powerful AH-HA moment hit me—one of those realizations that knocks the wind out of you; for the past 20 years, my deep, unshakable connection to these ancient stones—tumbled and shaped by the ocean over billions of years—has been guiding me toward something bigger. All along they have been leading me to create these for you to find your stone, your anchor, so you can meet this moment grounded with love instead of fear.
Like it or not you have been tapped to be on the team of souls charged with building a beautiful new world for humanity. We cannot do the work we are here to do if we are paralyzed by fear. Whatever it is that you are meant to create, to share, to heal, to build—it cannot come through you if you are lost in the spiral of worry. And so, I offer you this: Find something physical to hold onto, something that keeps you rooted in this world and reminds you of your highest self and the work you are here to do.
You are strong and steady. You are not the fear inside your head.
The work you are here to do matters. And it can only be done if you stay connected to the truth of who you are. And consciously weed out the fear that is always going to try to take root in your mind.
I have created an In Case You Get Lost in The Abyss List for you - this is a list of things that you can print out and have nearby during these days - things that you can do to bring yourself back to your wisest self if you get lost. A printable PDF of this list is available in the Pocket Guides and Worksheets Sections of The Creative Genius Rising Patreon. And I am pasting the list below. Please feel free to share it with anyone who might benefit.
I love you. You are brave. You are doing great. Keep breathing. Keep Connecting. Keep anchoring yourself to what is real and good.
In Case You Get Lost In The Abyss List (a formatted, printable PDF of ths list can be found on my Patreon)
When fear, doomscrolling, and helplessness start pulling you under, use this list to bring yourself back—so you can focus on the important work of building the world we all deserve and yearn for. Print it out and put somewhere you will see it daily!
Grounding Practices
Record your dreams – Messages come through when we listen.
Journal every morning – Dump all your worries onto paper.
Find & challenge all-or-nothing, doomsday thoughts – Are they actually true? Can you prove it?
Move your body – Dance, do yoga, shake things out.
Make loud noises with your mouth – Hum, chant, yell if you need to.
Meditate – Even two minutes can shift your energy.
Ask for miracles – Then watch for them, and write them down.
Physical & Sensory Anchors
Find something to hold onto – A pebble, crystal, or anything comforting. Keep it with you, touch it often.
Surround yourself with scents you love – Smell them often.
Go for a walk with earbuds in and talk to yourself – Nobody will know you're not on the phone. We process better when moving and speaking.
When you feel stuck, move – Walk around the block, shake out the energy.
Questions to Ask Yourself
-Am I on my phone more than I want to be?
-Am I numbing out (with food, TV, endless scrolling)?
-Can I surrender to what is happening instead of trying to control it?
-What decisions am I making about reality? Are they actually true?
What is actually happening right now? (Look at the trees, listen to the birds, feel the air.)
-What is most important to me?
-Where can I have the most impact?
-What is the highest and best use of my time?
-How can I be in service to others?
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