17 Comments
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Elsie Lopez's avatar

This was deeply felt. Thank you for your vulnerability. Also, thank you for sharing that bit about you leaping into full time writing. This is something I’ve been really contemplating especially lately as it is a deep desire. Your leap is encouraging! Wishing you all the best and grace in this healing process.

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Mila's avatar

Thank you, and I very selfishly hope for more of your writing. I have learned a lot from your words and really appreciate them

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Anna Wermuth's avatar

so powerful, thank you xx

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Mila's avatar

Thank you so much

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Ruth Allen, PhD (MNCPS Accred)'s avatar

beautiful. thank you for this. I'm always excited to read your words.

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Mila's avatar

Oh gosh thank you, the feeling is completely mutual

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Reena's avatar

Truly a holy pilgrimage. Thank you for sharing so bountifully and beautifully.

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Mila's avatar

Thank you so much

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angel's avatar

my body was tensing just following along with you on this journey:

"Other survivors of natural disasters explained how this was the tricky part: getting back to normal when everything has changed. Many warned me that the derealization after an ecological catastrophe was a slippery slope into substance abuse. It’s so hard to be confronted with this distorted reality every day. Their advice made me determined to get through this without using dangerous coping mechanism to extend my underworld stay. I resolved to witness each horror and relax my entire body."

gonna sit in that a while. thank you for the medicine of this sharing out<3

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Mila's avatar

I had so many people tell me their own stories of natural disaster and they’ve totally become a beacon to me. They’ve shaped how I’ve handled this

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Sabian Raine's avatar

This is so relatable — thank you for sharing. My partner and I live near Biltmore Village. When I was in a car accident in 2018, I spontaneosly relaxed my body, and it helped. Unfortunately, with Helene, my body tensed up. It has been a slow — vertebra by vertebra — process of beginning to undo that clamped grip.

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Mila's avatar

That’s so interesting your body spontaneously relaxed! I had to force mine. I really hope you find some relief soon

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Katelyn's avatar

Wow, what a courageous confrontation that hike was. I'm inspired, thank you for sharing

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Mila's avatar

Thank you so much

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Helen Stickney's avatar

Thank you for this. I want to respond with the sensations I feel in my body after having read this, but I don't have words for them yet.

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Mila's avatar

Thank you. I still don’t have words for mine either! Finding words for physical sensations is always a struggle of mine

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Cait Wolf's avatar

Mmm felt this deeply. I arrived and settled in WNC right before Helene hit. The aftermath was something none of us could have prepared for.

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