To be honest, I'm feeling very "heyyyy...how y'all doing?" about this post.
I'm writing this to you sitting by the window surrounded by my girlfriend and I's plants!
(Yes, we moved in together, I'LL GET TO THAT).
I initially planned to take July off and come back into office in August, but here we are September 18th.
So this is a hello, an update, and a thank you for being here <3.
If you're new here, this is from the Late Bloomer Letters💌 my newsletter of reflections from my late bloomer journey, along with some of my recent favourite queer media.
This summer I ended up having to grapple with some mental & physical health challenges that I'd been pushing to the back burner for a year.
PLUS on April 1st my girlfriend seriously broke her leg (happy April Fool's Day to us!). So this spring/summer also involved us moving in with her going through intense recovery. We're so grateful to our friends for helping make it all happen!
The reality is, I'm not fully recovered yet and neither is my girlfriend. But we're taking it day by day and making the best decisions for us that we can!
That being said, I'm really happy that you're here and reading this! :')
I don't know when I'll be back to Instagram and in what capacity, so connecting with you here, means the world. Being a lesbian couple navigating health, work, and late stage capitalism is a lot - so thank you for supporting THIS lesbian so they can support other queer folks!! <3
<— me and my gf putting up art in our home :’)
I found a lot of joy this summer getting back into crafting (some projects pictured below)! I taught myself about block-printing, colouring, drawing, kept collaging, and even took a chainmaille making class! Making stuff has been so meditative and helpful in processing emotions! And also reconnecting with my inner child and sense of play! :')
Summer is always a big reading time for me, and reading a bunch of YA and sapphic fantasy books was very healing for me!
I read 21 books over July and August and here were some of my faves!
The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne - the answer to my sapphic romantasy prayers!!! Cozy gardening, a hot masc fae knight, spice and hope and magic! Would HIGHLY recommend!
I finally read Blood on the Tide! I've had it on my TBR for ages after reading The Succubus's Prize by Katee Robert, another spicy sapphic romantasy. For all my vampire lovers - this one is for you! A selkie and a vampire taking down pirates and falling in love!
Lastly, my friend lent me the latest Hunger Games book - Sunrise on the Reaping and it lead me to go back and re-read a bunch of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this prequel about Haymitch, and I'm looking forward to the moving coming out this fall!
I'm hosting my free workshop again this fall - Bust Queer Imposter Syndrome <3
This is one of my all-time favourite workshops to run. Join in your PJs, no cameras needed, and SO much affirmation and community healing.
Sign up here - Tuesday September 29th 8-9:30pm EST, recording included!
I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it - but I'm also running a fall cohort of Queer Enough this October 13th! :')
If you are coming into your queerness in adulthood and want community & support - this is for you!
This is such a special program, and I feel so honoured to have supported so many incredible sapphics through it this year!
There will only be 10 spots in this fall cohort - so if you want first dibs to spots and an early bird discount, I'd recommend getting on the waitlist!
-Maranda
-Taylor
-P
The biggest biggest thank you again for being here :')
It's often hard to be an educator/community facilitator/and HUMAN.
I'm working on tending to my human parts - thank you for understanding and showing up with your tender little queer self too!
Eva x