On anxiety, on how we show up, on feeling all the things. My time with Sheena.

Sheena and I met on a chairlift almost 10 years ago. It was a bluebird powder day on a weekday. It was still the recession. The slopes were empty. I was still learning to snowboard, learning the mountain. She was with a talented girlfriend and they invited me to follow after them on the mountain. It was a magical day. Our paths crossed very little in person post bluebird day but social media allowed us to stay connected. When I left Facebook I put an open call to any of my ‘friends’ that I would love to connect with them in a more meaningful way. Sheena invited me to visit her in Portland, Maine. And so I did 6 months later.

Sheena is the type of human you can feel enough around. For two people who knew each other very little we immediately dove into the deep stuff of who we are and what we’ve been dealing with. We talked about depression and anxiety over milk poached cauliflower (which was amazing by the way). And it was easy seemless conversation. It’s nice to talk about this stuff with out having to tie it up in a neat bow, or try to explain away the fact that sometimes you’re just not ok.

Here are some of Sheena’s own words:

“On the note of someone comparing their life to yours, I spoke to my counselor about this this past week.  I feel the to conceal the good in my life to keep it safe from scrutiny by those who wish for the same good in their own lives. Or needing to conceal the darkness because someone might take away from my experience or one up me somehow. Those are my fears at the moment. 
My counselor told me that no one has the right to take away my bright light! We all have the beautiful and unique power to make change, and lead lives we’re personally proud of. ❤️
But it’s so hard to lead life that way. “