94 Comments
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Eleanor Brown's avatar

It's become embarrassing how much I use your essays to explain to people in my life what is happening to me. You just say it much better and I'm grateful. Thank you for staying true.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

this is fing amazing.

Graham Landi's avatar

Welcome home to yourself, Holly.

caitlin's avatar

and also, as almost always, the timing of what you wrote is exactly what I needed to read today. i was in the first co-working gathering in a new (for me) group and i was trying to do what i said i would do, which was write for the things i need to write for - coaching website, artist statements, poetry, lyrics. instead i just felt teary and frantic and wanting to check flights so i can go, be somewhere else... after about an hour of this, i let go and allowed what wanted to happen to happen. which was whole lot of rhythms of hard feelings about belonging and longing, need and loss, alignment and lack thereof and how much it hurts and drains and breaks the flow that i can feel, right here with me, that i know i need to allow to be, so it can gain and continue it's own momentum, so I can even be able to do and be and express all that wants to come through me. kinda what you're writing about here too.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

this is so specific and yet entirely familiar.

Jane Elliott PhD's avatar

I wonder, if you asked your readers, how many of us even really saw or wanted the Holly you were trying to get 'back' to. I feel like the authenticity of your voice has never changed, your desire to tell the truth as you know it has been a consistent north star that helped guide a lot of us along. Maybe we didn't need the apologies because we were listening to this You all along.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

Love you jane <3

Jane Elliott PhD's avatar

right back atcha

Madeleine Shaw's avatar

100% this.

caitlin's avatar

so relieved to see your name in my inbox today. love you honey.

Kristina Dechter's avatar

This hit hard, felt like first finding Anne Lamont to be seen to be pushed. Thank you every time you show up ♥️

Alex S's avatar

So happy to see you back to writing, Holly. Missed your dispatches! Love these revelations. 💖

Dr. Dana Leigh Lyons, DTCM's avatar

Love this, love you, Holly.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

Love you right back Dana

Stefanie Mills-Wise's avatar

Also, have you read "Frugal Hedonism", by chance? I think it might really resonate with you. I live my life according to frugal hedonism, as much as possible, and love it.

April's avatar

Sounds like a delightful concept. Thank you for sharing!

Holly Whitaker's avatar

oh NO but looking up;

Stefanie Mills-Wise's avatar

Good for you, Holly, in both senses of the expression! And good for us reading this! It's so nice to read about accepting our true selves - not who we feel the culture or others want us to be. I love your writing and look forward to being here to see what direction it takes:). Stefanie

Andrea's avatar

I love the authentic you that you share in this space. I’m extremely grateful for your truth that shines bright through your words.

Shelby John's avatar

Well done good and faithful soldier. Your real, raw and truthful words always hit me somewhere that is slightly confusing but also powerful and leave me questioning my own choices, desires and work. Thank you for that. Carry on warrior.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

lol slightly confusing but also powerful is my jam

Eileen's avatar

The Ancestors calling you in just ahead of your silent retreat is profound, beautiful serendipity, healing in-waiting. Go well, Holly! Similar lived experience here. My 2027 memoir of past lives embodiment and reincarnation charts the joy.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

ISN'T THAT WILD? It's such a fucking banger of a story, you can't make it up!

Jessica Hamlin's avatar

Holly I have missed you - I was so happy to see your name in my inbox - your newsletters are my favourite ❤️

Taylor Gage's avatar

Every one of these posts releases an exhale in me that I didn’t know I needed until I did it, some kind of permission maybe, but also recognition. Yes. Same. Thank you.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

yes. I think we've been on that same path for a while

Amy Yuki Vickers's avatar

I'm happy for you, Holly, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this takes you.

Holly Whitaker's avatar

us both. Love to you Amy. Lots of it.