24 Comments
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Cynthia Greenberg's avatar

You honor us by honoring yourself Ashley. May you find the rest you need and the inspiration that comes from it in whatever form that may take. Sending much appreciation and love your way! 🌻

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you Cynthia. I really appreciate you and sending appreciation back your way. x

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kate king's avatar

Dear Ashley, it's the ending of a cycle of your life, the space for reintegration before the next cycle begins. Nothing stays the same, everything is constantly in a state of growth, maturity, ending, beginning. With love and good wishes for whatever possibilities the future holds out to you. Katexx

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you so much Kate. I really appreciate your words, 'space for reintegration before the next cycle begins'. This feels like my deeper intention right now. Looking forward to reconnecting with you on the other side. x

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LIVING WELL: A Healing Journey's avatar

Your words really touch the soul, and your grace with yourself is admirable. Enjoy the pause!

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you so much, I am deeply grateful for your affirmation and reflection. Hope to connect with you on the other side. <3

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Enjoy your well-deserved pause. 💕

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you so much Sue. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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Adrienne's avatar

Taking the Deeper Call for yourself is such a wonderful way to practice what you believe. And perhaps the best part about the pause is if/when you come back, you'll be able to hit play again.

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you Adrienne, so well said. It's not always easy for me to step back, but I'm learning it is vital. A dear friend and college professor texted me yesterday after reading this essay saying one of the best things we can do for our writing is to take breaks from it. Curious (and not in a rush at all) to see what comes. Grateful for your support. x

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Bettina's avatar

Have a wonderful pause, Ashley, and see you when you are back x

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you so much Bettina. x

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Mansi's avatar

Dear Ashley, I recently started following you because what you have to offer by way of self care resonates deeply with me as I enter the era of wanting stillness in my life … of being more and doing less … of sitting idle even when there is always an urgency to attend to something. Thank you for speaking your truth and for having the courage to live the life you feel called to. May you be well.

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you Mansi. I'm grateful to connect with you here. This line really landed with me: " sitting idle even when there is always an urgency to attend to something". I often experience that. Thank you for naming it so clearly.

The other day I noticed a big uptick in subscribers and there was a part of me that had a brief moment of hesitation on taking this pause. I thought, what if a new subscriber gets this essay that I'm taking a a break and promptly leaves this space? It was such a good practice to follow my heart regardless and lean deeper into trust.

Your comment and share are such an affirmation in my choice and practice. May you be well too. x

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Kristyn Judkins's avatar

Dear Ashley, I’m rereading Tara Brach’s Radical Acceptance and, just before coming to your post, finished the chapter titled The Sacred Pause. I’m listening! Thank you for living into your deeper call for a pause to nurture and tend to your young parts and family, to get quiet and plant seeds. I deeply respect your process, and I feel so fortunate to learn from your example. Wishing you rest, peace, and, most of all, joy.

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Ashley Neese's avatar

I love this so much Kristyn! What incredible timing. And I love that you are paying attention and listening. It has been such a joy to connect with you in this space and I am taking your wishes with me, especially for joy. Nic and I were just talking last night about how we both want to cultivate that more in our relationship and family. It's so easy to see what is challenging in this season. Our intention is to practice seeing and experiencing the joy that is here too. Grateful for you and thinking of you. x

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holy smith's avatar

ashley, this was so inspiring to read. also glad to have found you again. i dk i’m you’ll remember me, i’m holy - a v early supporter (could add social friend) of yours on insta in the earlier days. i was one of your acknowledgment in your cookbooks. :)

anyways, glad to have found you via substack. i’m no longer on insta so the joy when i saw your name here.

have the best best reconnecting. 🫶🏽 so lovely to see what you’ve built over the years. x

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Holy! Hi! Yes, I remember you! I'm thrilled to connect with you in this space right before I sign off for a bit :) I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece. I'm giving myself a few days to connect around it then officially pausing at the end of this week.

I'm not on insta anymore either. In April it will be a year with zero interest of returning. Glad you made your way over to Substack. I'm looking forward to checking out your writing here and learning how you like this platform.

Thinking of you and I hope to reconnect more when I return. With care, Ashley x

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holy smith's avatar

so happy to connect again, Ashley! 😌 x

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Marisa Grim's avatar

Divine Timing🙏🏼🤍

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you Marisa!

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Veronika Bond's avatar

wishing you a replenishing, restorative substack breakm dear Ashley. You are the most important person in your own life xxx

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Ashley Neese's avatar

Thank you so much Veronika! I'm grateful for your wishes and look forward to connect with you on the other side. xx

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Lee Lose's avatar

Take as much time as you need. Love that you’re honoring yourself in this way and sending you all the good vibes

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