Because something has to change
I love the cold mornings of February in Arizona. After the intensity of the hot summers, it’s like a reward for surviving. I step outside with my coffee in hand and thank the Goddess for such a beautiful morning. But if I’m completely honest with her and myself, it’s not quite perfect. The rush of the traffic on the main street by our home is a constant noise that drowns out the songs of the few birds we do have. The block walls and pavement that surround me are suffocating. The barrage of media that is chronicling the downfall of democracy in the US and the insanity that is going on around the world is a consistent attack on the nervous system. Between my need to protect my mental health and stay engaged in the fight I find myself needing somewhere regenerative. I need something, my husband and I both need a place to land and ground and connect back to what keeps us creating, back to what keeps us making good trouble, helping those in need, and to find a way to thrive while we all survive this together. A way to create the story we want to live alongside the insanity and struggle.
Hi, my name is Danne Len and I need an outlet. I am a Beltane baby who has been married to her high school sweetheart for the past 20 plus years. Together almost 30! I am a cozy boho mystic. That means I enjoy intentional living, curling up with a book and a blanket, telling tales, crafting and cooking, life lived with nature, warmth around the campfire, traveling on the road as often as possible, as a goddess guided, tarot card reading, crystal healing, and witchcraft practicing, moon lover.
Currently in the same place I was born, the Phoenix area of Arizona. Recently I witnessed the demolition of the mall where I spent every season of childhood through my early adult years. Very sad. My parents both come from wooded states with four seasons, so how they thought I would be content in the desert is beyond me. They did have to move here to meet and have me, so I completely forgive them! I will say that having explored Arizona more as an adult I have found beautiful spots that give my husband and I the taste of what we want full time.
What is it that we want full time? My ideal is to be able to read and write often while traveling with my husband and creating a healthier, more vibrant life. I’d like to see more nature. Walking through the trees in different forests and dipping my toes into different bodies of water. We thrive in natural places. The closer I can be to Mama Earth the better. I need nature like I need blood pumping through my veins. I want to watch my husband be able to create art as often as he wants. He is insanely talented and his work needs to be shared. I also want to continue to create a heart-centered business where I share my spirituality, empower women to rise in sacred sisterhood, and provide services that are considered alternative healing. Things like Reiki, crystal healing, and sound therapy. I aim to get back to goddess circles and lunar rituals in the future. Mostly I just want peace in my soul and to prioritize my mental health. Being in nature and on the road experiencing life is what we need because cubicle life is not for us. It leaves me depressed and feeling out of control of my own life. I’m lucky to have a partner who wants the same things. We make a good team.
What is the intention and goal at this time? We are making moves to get on the road full time. It is our goal that by October we will be able to rely on our self-employment to fund our journeys and be able to pack up the truck, trailer in tow, and head out towards nature, creativity, and to learn from the land and its people. We plan to spend a large amount of time in natural places, BLM land and campgrounds, while visiting friends and family around the country. We’ll head to events, such as art markets, nomad meetups, renaissance faires, spiritual gatherings, and more. We are excited to seek out volunteer opportunities in different states as well. It’s important to us to give back with our time and our money when possible. We will work on making this a consistent experience as time and funds allow. This is because we both understand that even though this will be a lot of work to make our goals a reality…the type of life we are after will be a gift. Something to be grateful for and to pay that gift forward however we can as often as we can.
The next steps are:
· to consistently post and create resources for my heart-centered business
· work towards my reading and writing goals
· get my husband’s art business out to as many people as possible and keep his shop updated while
he continues at the 9-5
· consume more art (music, film, museums, theatre, dance, etc)
· declutter/donate/organize our belongings by at least 50% (I’ll work for 75%)
· continue losing weight and working on my health journey
· update this blog and accompanying YouTube channel consistently
· take day trips and overnights in campgrounds as often as possible to remember what we’re
working towards
· encourage you to create the story you want to live
This lifestyle blog and YouTube channel will be a good way to document this strange journey towards a more balanced, healthy, and vibrant life. A place where I can spread gratitude and hope. A place to get back to me, the core of who I am and the roots that gave way to that becoming. I’m looking forward to the creative aspects of this endeavor and being able to look back on a life lived with enthusiasm and less regret. My challenge is to Create the Story I Want to Live. Will you join me? Will you accept the challenge?
Whatever you do I hope it brings you joy and peace.
Take care,
Danne Len