With Love from the Cave,
It's good to be back. You may have noticed that I didn't send a newsletter in July and that my community classes and offerings became a little quieter. In a very short amount of time, a great deal changed in my life. For those who haven't heard, I made the difficult decision to step away from my role as co-owner of The Way Home Studio while also ending my involvement and weekly classes at Prema Yoga in Milwaukie. Neither of these were the outcomes I had hoped for, but a variety of circumstances led me to a deep knowing that they were the right decisions for both myself and the future of Caveside Wellness. At the same time, my family has been navigating some incredibly difficult chapters. Several of my siblings have been facing turmoil and life-threatening health challenges, and I continue to witness my grandmother's rapid decline. It's been a season of grief, uncertainty, and change. The culmination of all of this forced me to step back and take an honest look at my capacity. With my life shifting so dramatically, and without access to a larger community space, I knew I couldn't continue doing things the way I had been. So I took much of July to rest, not because I wanted to disappear, but because I needed to remember how to listen again. Sometimes life asks us to slow down long enough to gain a bird's-eye view. It's only from that wider perspective that we realize just how depleted we've become. Over the past two years, I poured my heart into building Caveside Wellness while simultaneously helping build and operate The Way Home Studio. In many ways, I was building two businesses from the ground up at the same time. It was deeply meaningful work, but it also required more of me than I realized. This season has reminded me that tending ourselves isn't something we do after everything else is taken care of. It is the very foundation that allows us to continue showing up for the people, communities, and work we love. Through that deep listening, a new direction began to emerge. Rather than trying to recreate what I had before, I'm choosing to embrace what feels most authentic and sustainable. I've intentionally simplified my community offerings so I can bring greater presence and depth to each one. I've also made the decision to transition Wyrd Witch into a small, closed community circle, allowing that work to deepen within a committed group while creating space for new offerings that welcome the broader community. As difficult as these past months have been, they have also brought remarkable clarity. I'm stepping into this next chapter with a simpler vision, a more sustainable pace, and an even deeper commitment to creating meaningful experiences that truly nourish both you and me. While some doors have closed, others are opening, and I'm genuinely excited to share what's taking shape at Caveside Wellness. Many of you who have sat in ceremony or attended classes with me know that I sing often. I don't sing because I think I have an extraordinary voice. I sing because I know our voices are powerful. For me, singing is an ancient practice of remembrance. It connects me to my ancestors and to a long lineage of Nordic folk traditions where the voice was used with purpose: to soothe, to strengthen, to grieve, to celebrate, and to call upon the unseen. As a small gift, I've included a song/chant I wrote called "As Surely." It reminds us that just as surely as the sun rises, so will we. It's a song to return to when you need a reminder that you are loved, that you belong, and that you are never truly alone. May it help you find your way home to yourself. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and for continuing to walk this path alongside me. Your support means more than you know, and I'm so grateful you're here. With love, Ida www.cavesidewellness.com
I've included "As Surely" as a gift for you. Simply click the button below to visit my website and download the song.
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