18 Comments
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Gonza's avatar

Thank you. I have almost nothing else to say but thank you. Thank you for writing this and helping (I hope) so many of us.

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Sage Justice's avatar

I’m here today by recommendation from @DanniLevy

Thank you for beautifully writing what’s been on my heart too.

I have a piece coming out soon where I mention some of the same- it’s titled: A Deep Sickness in the Wellness Community

Women are under attack, and no one seems to care.

I’m very grateful for the substack sisterhood and that WE care and we support each other.

💐

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Anushree Nande's avatar

The things that find you when you need them the most. Thank you so much for this, Esmé 🤍

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Daniel H's avatar

I really want to read you writing your journey about that. A long time ago I did work in some trauma units (which now don't exist) and I've been thinking of writing about that so that part particularly interests me.

And yes, the both/and.

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

I want to read your writing about the trauma units—have you taken a look at the Academy? We’d love to have you: http://www.unexpectedshapeacademy.com

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Ash Story's avatar

I so needed this. To be reminded about the both/and. Thank you 🤍

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

Both/and forever. ❤️❤️❤️

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Rasha Refaie's avatar

Thank you for this 🙏🏼 it’s so symchronistically weird, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig has been sitting on a shelf next to me for maybe a year. It was my mother’s book, possibly borrowed from someone else? I kept wondering if I should read it. Now I have my answer 👍🏼💗

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

Ha! Well, I hope you like it. It’s a good book for these times.

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Brooke Turner's avatar

I’ve been struggling after recently moving to a deep red state, and I feel the threat of surveillance after being followed and watched for being so vocal online and sending messages to my state rep. Taking action is starting to feel terrifying. Any thoughts on overcoming this fear?

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

I can feel your fear and I also feel your bravery. What I would do is read the writings of activists who lived during treacherous times—maybe Malcolm X, or many of the Black activists who worked for civil rights. Keep going—you’re doing great.

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Dee Elle's avatar

Oh and I’m interested in your journey at the retreat and the longer piece, yes!!

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Dee Elle's avatar

Esmé, did you go to Osprea in Utah? I’m curious about their program to recommend to my clients … I just heard about them for the first time.

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

It's called Saprea--I think it's the same thing you're talking about. I'm still processing my experience, honestly, which is part of why I want to write about it.

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Dee Elle's avatar

Yes, that’s the name I mean.

I am survivor and I’ve worked in the field of healing survivors for 12 years. Every so often I Google to see if there are any new brick and mortar healing places and this just came up this week!

Do they provide psychedelic assisted therapies there as well?

I’m so glad you did this for yourself. So intense and so important.

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Dee Elle's avatar

“a”

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Esmé Weijun Wang's avatar

They don’t provide one-on-one therapies there, no. There’s a sort of “group” thing, but it’s not necessarily run by a mental health professional. The whole experience was… interesting. I’ll write more about it.

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Grace Jeschke's avatar

Thank you for writing about the paradox of scale. it is too easy to add fuel to self-loathing and/or whatever other pain saturates the "wet sand". I'll always be interested in your trajectory and what you choose to share.

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