Half Mermaid Journal Edition 13
Welcome to the 13th Edition of the fortnightly Half Mermaid Journal.
If you are new to the journal, a warm welcome!
Thank you for joining us and we hope our offerings serve you well!
Quotes we loved:
“I am fluent in water. Water is fluent in my body….it spoke my body into existence”Natalie Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning Mojave American poet, language activist, former professional basketball player, and educator. From ‘Exhibits from the American Water Museum’.
“When my journal appears, many statues must come down.”
Arthur Wellesley
Beholding the sunrise, Seaford
Journaling questions we are pondering:
Is there a part or aspect of your life where you feel you are constantly fighting a never ending battle, swimming hard only to find you were treading water, leaving you exhausted and depleted?
Is it possible there is another way to effect change than the ‘push through at all costs’ approach?
Is it possible that if you let go and let life’s current take you, you will take a journey that reveals a different exit or possibilities you never imagined?
What would this that look like?
This week’s blog post: The years like waves…
A story only the years and waves can reveal.
“….how we still laugh and play like children in an ocean where our wrinkles grow deeper…”
One new thing we learnt this week:
More than 50 million years ago, wolflike mammals roaming the planet’s surface began to embrace ocean living. Over time, their bodies changed, limbs transformed to fins and their nostrils migrated upwards towards the top of their heads. These were the ancestors of today’s whales. Around 35 million years ago the lineage split to become what we know today as baleen and toothed whales, the split driven by environmental changes at the time (1)
These whales travel this planet’s ocean today! And they are perfect! It makes me wonder about our recent human fixation on agile fast paced change towards achievement and perfection….how will these changes fair in the light of evolution, millions of years from now?
(1) Deep Water, James Bradley, page 133 - Loving this book!
Whale play
What we are listening to:
Dr. Joel Pearson, an Australian cognitive neuroscientist on the latest science on intuition. It is a fascinating conversation with Rich Roll, on the nature of the unconscious mind, the difference between intuition, impulse and instinct, aphantasia and how we can practice hearing our intuition more often; something I am personally more and more keen to lean into.
You can find a link to the podcast: Rich Roll episode #841 Joel Pearson on the new science of intuition here. It is available on most platforms.What is new at Half Mermaid:
When the Half Mermaid journey commenced, one thing at the forefront of our thinking was making sure our ecological footprint was considered, as minimal as possible and that over time we could contribute generously in the spirit of “leave it better than you found it”. In our first baby steps, this means choosing recycled, reused, compostable materials first. Later on we hope we can grow to support meaningful large scale change.
But today, if you order one of our products to be delivered, it will arrive this bag:
So happy to be working with HEROBUBBLE to produce these compostable, zero waste padded mailers and stopping more plastic from ruining our beautiful oceans.
And we love the look too!
If you missed our last email, the very first set of journaling cards as an introductory set of prompts titled “The Water and Me' is available.
These cards are a perfect way to start a deeper enquiry into your open water, wild swimming or dipping practice. Powerful questions will help you explore your relationship with your body, your breath, your inner dialogue and more.
You can find our more here.
If you are a half mermaid too, you will love layering up after your swim or dip with this hoodie.
High quality materials (whilst saving approx. 7.2 500ml plastic bottles from landfill) make for a super comfy and warm hoodie that…well looks so good you can wear anywhere! We love it and we hope you do too.
You can find our more here.
We would love to hear from you. Be it what you thought of our products, our content, our podcasts, what you want to hear or see happen next. Send us a note at hello@halfmermaid.com.au
Thank you for coming on the journey with us!
Till next time….
Weaving through the waves
Swim. Coffee. Journal. Live. Love. Repeat.
Important note:
HalfMermaid is not a licensed mental health service and not a substitute for professional mental health assessment, treatment or advice. The journaling prompts and guides offered, are general in nature. If you are struggling, please see a healthcare professional or call the mental health support line in your locality.
Half Mermaid, PO Box 4012, Doncaster Heights 3109, Melbourne Australia