Three taboo reasons I'm thriving (and coaching again!)

Hello loves!

It's been about a year and a half since you've heard from me here. Historically, when I've gone quiet, it's because I'm struggling or overcommitted. But this stretch was very different. The past 18 months have been the most extraordinary of my life — more healing and growth, more adventure and connection, more creativity and shining than I ever imagined possible. And it still feels like I'm just getting started.

I haven't felt ready to talk about it, though. Partly because this delicate phase needed protection. And partly because I attribute my thriving to three inconveniently complicated topics, all of which feel taboo to talk about:

1. Psychedelics: I broke my lifelong "good girl" track record of believing "all fun drugs are bad," and stepped into the extraordinary mental health benefits that can come from intentional psychedelic use. I am blown away by how well my mind connects with these tools, and how much healing and mental freedom they've brought into my life.
2. Polyamory: While I've been practicing polyamory for two decades, the meaning of it in my life has been changing. The last few years of integrating my neurodivergent needs and creating new healing practices has transformed this life structure into a gloriously supportive chosen family with bespoke designs for our shared thriving. It's hard to put into words how much more magic unlocks when we can effectively negotiate for our needs.
3. AI: The robots are here, and they are bringing extremes. I run in equal parts tech industry circles and queer/artist/activist circles, and that's put me right in the middle of both the curiosity/amazement and the suspicion/betrayal. Accepting that this toothpaste isn't going back into its tube, I've been getting a lot of value out of exploring two questions in collaboration with others:
   1. How can the robots provide neurodivergent accommodation?
   2. And how can they (safely and effectively) facilitate growth, healing, and human-to-human connection?

It also hasn't helped that being visibly happy in the middle of a national nightmare is... complicated to share about. But I feel ready to start talking now. And I have a few updates:

First, I'm coaching again! I've been quietly testing a new 3-session coaching format on friends and community members, and it's going AWESOMELY well. The feedback has been incredible, and I am so lit up from getting to do this work again.

Unlike typical coaching, this 3-session offer is not ongoing (and that's on purpose). It's been working best for neurodivergent adults who are navigating changes in their lives, are feeling pretty capable of getting through it, and who want some deep support to make sure their choices are really aligned with what's best for them.

I plan to start marketing this package publicly in the coming months, but I'm slow-rolling that launch because this quiet experimental phase is still so much fun. If you'd like to jump in as an early tester (while it's still in "pay what you wish" mode), reply to this email with "Yay coaching!" and I'll send you a private link with more info.

Second, I've enrolled in a psychedelic coach training program (through the Psychedelic Coaching Institute). This will qualify me to work professionally with plant medicines for personal growth by the end of the year. I am so excited to be stepping onto a path that lets me safely bring in these powerful tools to help others.

And third... one of my biggest takeaways from the last few years of burnout recovery social hibernation is that I really do need people in my life. My orientation toward community is changing dramatically, and becoming the compass for my own wellness and thriving. That includes you. I'm not quite sure what's ahead, but my newfound health and joy feels most supported when I'm connecting, coaching, and showing up for the people in my network... so I feel pretty confident now saying, Hiiii! I think I'm back (for reals)!

I know things are messy and hard out there. I hope you're finding strength, peace, and connection. I'm moving toward being able to help more, and am sending you so much love.

~Sarah

p.s. In case you skimmed it: I'm quietly offering a 3-session coaching package, and it's still in "pay-what-you-wish" mode for friends and community. If you'd like to get in on that before I put a public price tag on it, reply to this email with "Yay coaching!" and I'll send you a link with more info!