Dear Friend,
I can’t remember who first introduced me to poet Andrea Gibson but I’m deeply grateful that they did.
Andrea Gibson died last Monday at age 49. They were both an artist and an activist– someone whose words lived at the intersection of grief and amazement. Their Substack, Things That Don’t Suck, was filled with raw truth, gentle humor, and radiant wisdom. If you don’t yet know Andrea’s work, now is the perfect time to begin. You’re about to open a treasure trove.
There’s one post in particular that resonated with me. About a year and a half ago, I came across A New Kind of Bucket List. It reached me at just the moment when I needed it.
This line especially stayed with me—it spoke to something I didn’t even realize I had been longing to name:
As much as I love traversing the world outside, healing my inner world has been most of what I’ve longed to do in this life.
You can listen to Gibson read it here:
Here are the first five items from their list:
And here’s the list in its entirety.
In the midst of the world’s grief and uncertainty, Andrea’s writing held a tender paradox: sorrow and joy, pain and astonishment, coexisting. They reminded us that even as we ache, we can still marvel—at trees, at art, at love, at each other.
Expressive writing is a powerful way to reach our own inner landscapes. This week, in honor of Andrea’s life and the gifts they left us, I invite you to create your own inner bucket list.
Have a friend or beloved who might be moved by this invitation? Share it. We’re building a circle of gentle creative energy here, and there’s room for everyone.
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: You may want to listen to or read Andrea’s list first. Notice what resonates—what feels like a YES in your body.
Then begin your own list.
What’s on your inner bucket list?
What does your soul want to heal, release, embrace?
Who and how do you want to love?
What expectations are ready to fall away?
What kind of amazement do you want to stay open to?
Don’t censor yourself. Don’t worry about poetic language. Just write. You can always shape the words later.
If you’d like to share part of your list with me, I’d be honored to read it. This kind of sharing helps us remember we’re not alone in this inner work.
Spiritual Practice for the week ahead: Let your inner bucket list be a living document. Read it in the morning. Add to it. Write it out by hand. Decorate it. Let it be a reminder that soul work matters. That your longings matter. That you’re doing the work of becoming.
P.S. Friends—exciting news!
I’m honored to have a chapter included in an upcoming collaborative book: Expressive Arts: The Ultimate Creative Guide to Transforming Stress by Jean Voice Dart. My chapter is called The Write Words: How to Find Your Soul’s Voice—and it’s all about the power of expressive writing to connect with your deepest self.
The book launches August 5 and is full of creative tools, personal stories, and stress-relieving practices—22 in total! Every chapter includes special gifts and opportunities just for readers.
Want to be part of the journey? I’m building a small, joyful launch team and would love to have you. You’ll receive a complimentary advance copy of the book, and everyone who joins will be entered to win some lovely prizes.
✨ Click here to join the launch team by July 22!
Thank you so much for your support—it means the world.
