51 Comments
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Kristine Neeley's avatar

This has been the basis of many conversations I’ve had with friends lately, this inclination I have within to (finally) stop resisting the cycles and seasons in my life Instead I want to recognize and live in to them, honoring the phases of, as you say, absorption and squeezing. Thanks for this fantastic piece to put even more clarity to what’s percolating in me!

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

What wonderful timing, I love that! Thanks for reading Kristine ❤️

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Donna's avatar

Thanks for sharing your ideas about input and output. I love input by way of reading at 4am in the morning. Need to translate into a few minutes of output via painting or collaging before heading to work. Thank you for validating that we do need input as many times we go on a guilt trip about absorbing the information/inspiration we need to get us through life. Wishing you peace.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

I love this idea of incorporating both input and output, absorbing and squeezing into a morning routine. Thanks for reading Donna ❤️

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Dr Lily Dunn's avatar

I had a fever last night and always struggle to stay in bed and rest, and then I read this. Thank you.

It’s also interesting in terms of my daughter who has had post viral fatigue these past two years, and there’s been a vivid emotional driver wrapped up in it. She says she’s been looking after her inner child (she’s 17) after having to take a lot of responsibility for her brother when me and her dad broke up. I have to let the process happen. She’s so much better, but as I stand beside her and guide her all I can, ultimately her recovery must come from herself. Slowly slowly she is looking out and doing art, and making plans for the future. And her mum needs to rest a while. Thank you for your wisdom.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Thank you for reading and sharing Lily — an apt reminder that not only do we oscillate within ourselves, but we a oscillate alongside others too. Sending good things to you and your family ❤️

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Donna's avatar

So hard to watch your child suffer. Praying that you two will make it through to the other side of this period with stronger love and empathy for one another. You are a good mom and you need to care for your own physical and emotional needs in order to support your daughter. Take care Lily.

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Dr Lily Dunn's avatar

Thank you for your kind words Donna

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KKG's avatar

I needed this today.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

❤️ 🧽

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Karen Lynch's avatar

Same!

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I Changed My Mind's avatar

I needed to hear this. I'm definitely entering my input years and this was a reminder to soak it all in. Thank you and beautifully said.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Yes to soaking it all in! ❤️

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Yes. Thank you for this❤️

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

❤️

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Hannah Hope's avatar

What a comforting piece 💛

I needed this reminder about the ebb and flow of life ✨

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Glad it was timely for you Hannah ❤️

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Satya Robyn's avatar

I scroll on notes too much and don't visit your writing enough. Glad I did the latter today (I always am) 💕

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Always such a pleasure to have you here Satya! ❤️

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Ryan Rose Weaver (she/hers)'s avatar

So grateful for this read. I wonder how many of us were “in the squeeze” in 2021-22, a time when there were expectations of “getting back to normal” without the necessary structural supports or collective healing needed to recover from 2020, who then needed to fill back up in 2023 and are still feeling that need now. (Raises hand.) I’ve been moved to write about this recently too and am so glad I’m not alone!

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Interesting to ponder the collective trends for sure. Thanks for reading ❤️

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Sara's avatar

I loved this. Since we are animals, it makes sense that, like the natural world, we would have fallow seasons and abundant ones. What doesn't make sense is the capitalistic notion that we should all be in a perpetual summer of growth and production.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

"What doesn't make sense is the capitalistic notion that we should all be in a perpetual summer" — beautifully put! ❤️

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Spinster Forever's avatar

This is a brilliant & timely post. Thank you for this.

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Andrew Cook's avatar

Appreciated this perspective - thanks!

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

I'm glad it resonated Andrew ❤️

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Emma Gannon's avatar

So good xoxo

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Thank you Emma! ❤️

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Nicola Paul's avatar

What a lovely piece of writing, it really spoke to me. Thank you 💛

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

❤️

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Keris Fox's avatar

This is so wise and helpful. I love the sponge analogy so much.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

Thanks for reading! ❤️

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Sarah Young ☀️'s avatar

Love this idea -- thank you for sharing.

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Madeleine Dore's avatar

❤️

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