"But lately, I’ve realized that holding on too tightly steals the magic from the moment itself. The more I try to keep it, the faster it fades." this is so so so so beautiful 🥺 I constantly keep trying to record and document every happy moment because the thought of not having it anymore, or even of not having the person I shared it with anymore scares me so much and I often wonder if by doing that - by being afraid and distracted - I actually lose more than I ever intended to.
Thank you so much for reading!! I feel that so deeply 🥺 it’s something I struggle with too - again and again - wanting to hold on so tightly that I end up missing the very thing I’m trying to keep. It’s such a tender balance between cherishing a moment and simply living it. I’m really glad this part resonated with you.
"If you could take one “mental photo” of this season of your life, what would be in the frame?" - I loved reflecting on this one because it really helped me see this period of my life from future me's perspective, and it's a difficult tiime where I've been really doing the best I can and looking at her I felt so proud!
Thank you for this writing and reminder of where I'm at and what to let go of
I love that reflection! seeing this season through your future self’s eyes is such a powerful way to find compassion for where you are right now. It sounds like you’re moving through it with so much awareness and care. Thank you for sharing that :)
Love seeing other women writing modern, honest memoir-style pieces 🙌🏻 I’m exploring that same kind of vulnerable storytelling. Would love if you checked out my first post!
Thank you so much for taking you time reading my post 🤍 and I couldn’t agree more, being truly present is such a powerful act. I’m really glad the message resonated with you. 🫶🏼
The concept of not filming concerts is something I support wholeheartedly.
I really love this notion of simultaneously noticing every little thing and being ready to let it dissolve from reality, all the while, keeping it alive in your mind 👽
There's something really heartbreaking about being in a crowd at a concert and almost everyone is holding up their phones. I hope more people come pack to the present moment :)
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing that, I really appreciate it. It means a lot that those words resonated with you. 🤍
That’s so kind of you, thank you 🥹❤️ I’m really glad it spoke to you. Letting go is such a hard thing to move through, and writing about it is definitely a powerful way to process it.
“In the end letting go isn’t just about release, it’s about trust. The trust that what’s meant for you will stay and that what leaves creates space for something even more aligned.”- THIS. I got divorced last year and it felt like my world was ending and like I would never be the same. But in all honesty, I will never be that version of me again and I’ve learned to accept that and allow myself to grow from there. I really needed this today, beautifully written❤️
Thank you so much for sharing that ❤️ it means a lot to know those words resonated with you. What you wrote is so powerful! accepting that you’ll never be that old version of yourself again is such a brave and beautiful kind of growth. :)
"Letting go of beautiful moments feels a bit like watching your best friend move across the world, knowing you might never see her again. You want to go with her, you want to stay in the laughter, in the lightness…but life, as it is, doesn’t work that way. So whenever I feel that kind of joy, I try to absorb everything - to be fully present" - Oh my god you break my little heart. This feels like everything i've needed to hear. Thank you for writing this, it's so beautiful 💌
That means so much, thank you ❤️ I’m really glad those words found you and resonated that deeply. It’s such a bittersweet truth - learning to hold joy fully, even knowing it can’t stay forever.
That’s the most beautiful thing about it. It comes and goes. Teaches us to hold onto it and notice it while it’s here, and to look for it more where we can 🤍🤍
I really feel that, it does feel like a kind of rebirth. Painful, but also freeing in ways that only make sense once you start going through it. We’re all still learning how to do it. :)
There’s something so tender about how you describe letting go, Barbara — how it isn’t about forgetting, but about trusting what’s meant to stay. I love that thought of making peace with what was so life can rush back in. It reminds me that presence is its own kind of courage — to stand in a moment fully, even knowing it will pass. Your words made me breathe a little slower tonight.
That’s such a beautiful message, thank you for sharing that. I love how you described presence as its own kind of courage :) that really stayed with me. It’s true, letting go is more about trust than loss, and I’m so glad the piece made you pause and breathe a little deeper.
Loved this so much. There’s a lot I’m processing currently, so this hit deep. Thank you for sharing 🫶🏼
Thank you, that really means a lot 🫶🏼 I’m glad it resonated with you. I hope whatever you’re processing starts to feel a little lighter soon.
"But lately, I’ve realized that holding on too tightly steals the magic from the moment itself. The more I try to keep it, the faster it fades." this is so so so so beautiful 🥺 I constantly keep trying to record and document every happy moment because the thought of not having it anymore, or even of not having the person I shared it with anymore scares me so much and I often wonder if by doing that - by being afraid and distracted - I actually lose more than I ever intended to.
Thank you so much for reading!! I feel that so deeply 🥺 it’s something I struggle with too - again and again - wanting to hold on so tightly that I end up missing the very thing I’m trying to keep. It’s such a tender balance between cherishing a moment and simply living it. I’m really glad this part resonated with you.
"If you could take one “mental photo” of this season of your life, what would be in the frame?" - I loved reflecting on this one because it really helped me see this period of my life from future me's perspective, and it's a difficult tiime where I've been really doing the best I can and looking at her I felt so proud!
Thank you for this writing and reminder of where I'm at and what to let go of
I love that reflection! seeing this season through your future self’s eyes is such a powerful way to find compassion for where you are right now. It sounds like you’re moving through it with so much awareness and care. Thank you for sharing that :)
This was pure magic, Barbara! I feel so much of this. Wonderful job here!!!
Thank you so much!!🥹 I’m really glad it resonated with you, and I appreciate you taking the time to say it 🫶🏻
Love seeing other women writing modern, honest memoir-style pieces 🙌🏻 I’m exploring that same kind of vulnerable storytelling. Would love if you checked out my first post!
https://open.substack.com/pub/mandydilasi/p/condoms-prevent-minivans?r=6ub01e&utm_medium=ios
Presence is one of the greatest gifts we give to ourselves and to others. 🤍 What a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing it. 🫶🏼
Thank you so much for taking you time reading my post 🤍 and I couldn’t agree more, being truly present is such a powerful act. I’m really glad the message resonated with you. 🫶🏼
The concept of not filming concerts is something I support wholeheartedly.
I really love this notion of simultaneously noticing every little thing and being ready to let it dissolve from reality, all the while, keeping it alive in your mind 👽
There's something really heartbreaking about being in a crowd at a concert and almost everyone is holding up their phones. I hope more people come pack to the present moment :)
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing that, I really appreciate it. It means a lot that those words resonated with you. 🤍
Yeah I’m also the one that’s standing there, taking in the show 🖤
Thanks for such a beautifully written piece 👾
This. Is. Beautiful.
I’ve been struggling to let go. Have written about it more than once.
This is truly helpful. So eloquently expressed. Thank you!! 🙏
That’s so kind of you, thank you 🥹❤️ I’m really glad it spoke to you. Letting go is such a hard thing to move through, and writing about it is definitely a powerful way to process it.
“In the end letting go isn’t just about release, it’s about trust. The trust that what’s meant for you will stay and that what leaves creates space for something even more aligned.”- THIS. I got divorced last year and it felt like my world was ending and like I would never be the same. But in all honesty, I will never be that version of me again and I’ve learned to accept that and allow myself to grow from there. I really needed this today, beautifully written❤️
Thank you so much for sharing that ❤️ it means a lot to know those words resonated with you. What you wrote is so powerful! accepting that you’ll never be that old version of yourself again is such a brave and beautiful kind of growth. :)
"Letting go of beautiful moments feels a bit like watching your best friend move across the world, knowing you might never see her again. You want to go with her, you want to stay in the laughter, in the lightness…but life, as it is, doesn’t work that way. So whenever I feel that kind of joy, I try to absorb everything - to be fully present" - Oh my god you break my little heart. This feels like everything i've needed to hear. Thank you for writing this, it's so beautiful 💌
That means so much, thank you ❤️ I’m really glad those words found you and resonated that deeply. It’s such a bittersweet truth - learning to hold joy fully, even knowing it can’t stay forever.
That’s the most beautiful thing about it. It comes and goes. Teaches us to hold onto it and notice it while it’s here, and to look for it more where we can 🤍🤍
Letting go in itself is like a rebirth to me. A painful process to learn and I am still on the way to master it.
I really feel that, it does feel like a kind of rebirth. Painful, but also freeing in ways that only make sense once you start going through it. We’re all still learning how to do it. :)
There’s something so tender about how you describe letting go, Barbara — how it isn’t about forgetting, but about trusting what’s meant to stay. I love that thought of making peace with what was so life can rush back in. It reminds me that presence is its own kind of courage — to stand in a moment fully, even knowing it will pass. Your words made me breathe a little slower tonight.
That’s such a beautiful message, thank you for sharing that. I love how you described presence as its own kind of courage :) that really stayed with me. It’s true, letting go is more about trust than loss, and I’m so glad the piece made you pause and breathe a little deeper.
I’m so glad it resonated, Barbara — you always write with such calm honesty. It’s a gift to read~
That’s so kind of you to say, thank you from the bottom of my heart!! 🤍 It means a lot to know my words brought a bit of calm to your life. :)
This was beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time reading my words :)