Transitions take time
I published this short essay on my Instagram page yesterday, which perfeclty aligns with our theme of the month and a reminder that transitions take time !!
“Yesterday I met someone who had just moved to Lisbon, a month ago or so. She was asking me if I liked living here, what was my take on it, almost 3 years in.
Lately, I’ve been thinking again about my relationship to this city, how it’s evolved over time. And the best analogy I could ever come up with has to do with the typography and terrain of the city.
See, central Lisbon is built on 7 hills, so except when you’re in Campo de Ourique, the highest and only flat neighborhood, you’re constantly walking uphill or downhill to get somewhere.
And, to me at least, daily life here very much mirrors that: it’s all ups and downs, constantly. One day things will flow easily and the next be completely stuck. At times, it feels breezy and at others absolutely impossible. One week classes are full, the next see only a few souls. Same with corporate work, one season will bring much hope and excitement and the next barely any action. It is destabilizing to say the least. People here come and go, in and out, it’s often a base but not exactly home base.
Overall as a country, Portugal can feel like hitting a wall. Some things simply don’t work here. I’ve learned to accept that, even to be okay with it. I no longer pretend that I can change it.
Instead I’m using it all as a metaphor for life: the hills of Lisbon as the highs and the lows, the slipperiness of its cobblestones as history stepping into the modern world, the diversity and colors of the facade tiles as a creative force, the gusty winds as a telling sign of the volatile energy of the city…
Upon moving here, I never basked in the honeymoon phase we often experience in a new place. I don’t love it here, maybe I never will, and I’ve come a long way to be okay with that. But more than a lover, Lisbon has been one of my greatest teachers.
So from now on, that will be my short answer next time someone asks, “so how’s life in Lisbon” ?
- Well, I’m learning a lot ! Every day “
New ! Women’s circle
To the request of a few friends and drawing on my own needs and current training on Hormonal Health, I’m launching a women’s circle in Lisbon on the theme of hormonal transitions, more specifically around perimenopause (so for women between 40 and 50, roughly, but others interested in the topic are also more than welcome to join) - what it is, what we know, how to cope with it.
The goal of those meetings is to gain knowledge, share our common experiences and find actionable tools about this transitional phase in a woman’s life.
The first meetup will be on Wednesday, October 15 - exact time & location TBC depending on interest. Please reply to this email if you’d like to join.
2 podcast episodes I loved last month:
Rick Rubin’s interview of Gwyneth Paltrow in Tetagrammaton. I am a big fan of Gwyneth and I loved learning more about the story of Goop and her work and creative process. She’s also a longtime yogini and meditator !
This podcast episode from Pulling the thread, where Elise Loehnen interviews Elizabeth Gilbert about the release of her latest book, “All the ways to the river”. It speaks of addiction, recovery, love, it’s personal, and just a really great conversation.
Fall retreat
It’s official, we have the dates for our long weekend of wellness in Alentejo !
If you’re free November 6th to 9th and have been craving a long weekend of self-care in an inspiring location, this may be just what you need.
What to expect:
4 days / 3 nights in a premium eco-lodge nested in nature
Local, vegetarian, nourishing and delicious meals
5 yoga classes, accessible to all levels
A guided hike
A meditation & breathwork session
A writing workshop
A thoughtful gift-bag
And all weekend, fireside conversations, wellness talks, community and plenty of time to unplug and do you !
Yoga classes in Lisbon
Same schedule always:
️ - Tuesday 18h15 -> Yin-Yang Yoga
️ - Wednesday 8h45 -> Mindful Flow
️ - Wednesday 10h30 -> Baby & Me
All at Studio Organic Flow, in Campo de Ourique.
There’s still time to enjoy the Unlimited yoga for the year package
-> 400€ for as many classes as you like in the next 11 months - that’s less than 10€/class if you come once a week. Make a commitment to your practice this year !
Our theme for October will be Transitions, how to remain present during transitional times, between poses but also in life. See you on the mat !
