“Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.” – Annie Dillard
I remember my very first proper I-want-to-be-like-you-girl-crush. I was about 17 and working at a living history museum. I was demonstrating some open-hearth baking and this woman walked in, rendering me speechless. She was in her late 20s and had the most amazing hair I had ever seen. It was light blonde and done in beautiful thin dreadlocks woven through with purple and turquoise ribbons. Her eyes were nearly the same shade of blue as the ribbons, and I remember the almost physical feeling of wanting to be her. I actually followed her out of the building and watched her walk away.
I have never forgotten her.
Now I see that that reaction was a very clear nudge from my soul. Practical, well behaved me, however, would never have dreamed of getting dreads. A second piercing in one ear took me a week to decide on. I put the desire for a more bohemian, connected me away with a few other nudges and got on with the process of becoming an adult – an adult with no real sense of her own style.
The best part about soul-nudges, however, is that they never really go away. Since choosing my word for the year I have actively been paying attention to my crushes and choosing to see them for what they really are. Girl crush, boy crush, house jealousy or style envy have all been on my radar. I played for hours on Pinterest this weekend and it turns out that whole Sacred Feminine thing? It goes pretty deep. It’s been waiting for me for a long time and now it means business.
The deeper I go the more I realize that I should have been listening to my soul all along. It turns out it knows me pretty well.
xo
P.S. What about you? Who’s your girl crush?
Hi Megg! So when are you getting your dreads? 🙂
I really want a diamond nose stud… I really do!
Crushes…hmmm…. I gravitate towards women who aren’t afraid of being their own person … other peoples opinions are treated with respect, but they don’t allow themselves to be walked on… they think outside the box … they’re not afraid of really living life and trying new things… and they’re outlook is a postive one.
Min xX
I too have always wanted dreads and the ease of style I always associate with them … and I know I’ve had a girl crush on you 🙂 especially after hanging with you that one time in September!!
are you getting dreads? wishing I could … someday 😉
Giggle – no, I’m not getting dreads. That’ll have to be in my next life. To be honest, I’m too addicted to my husband playing with my hair now to put dreads in.
hmmm … i also like when my husband plays with my hair 🙂 but i still love the way they look and feel, maybe when i am old and silver haired hee
Hmmm… my girl crush? ….
I guess I don’t actually have one right now, but I sure have in the past.
As for dreads; I love mine. Love them. And for me it means that my hubby and my kids play with my hair more than ever. Hubs installed them, maintains them, braids them, wraps them in embroidery floss and looks through them to find his favorite.
The kids will play with them any chance they get. They make me feel more womanly, more here, more bold and more beautiful. It’s hard for me to imagine ever getting rid of them… I can totally see myself as an old wise woman with silver dreads.
I just recently started on Pinterest. 🙂 I took a WILD guess and found your site there. LOL
XO XO
Deb
I love your writing it is beautifully done! I really don’t have girl crushes as much as it is a passion crush. When I see someone who shines with inner confidence but genuinely modest in nature, it inspires me. Thank you for reminding me to be more aware of my soul-nudge. Enjoy! -Lisa
I so GET THIS. I am about the same age, and also just feel like so much of who I am, I am only just now “letting out”, because I have been ruled by “practical”.
I have had a long “girl-crush” on Laini. lol! I so admire the way she follows her bliss.
🙂
have girl crushes… do i! 🙂 am too shy to share them. but they are on the girls who share of themselves with heart. who are unconventional, bohemian, dreads yes (i would have them too if my hair was not falling out). i still stare at girls with dreads 🙂
I love how vibrant and vivid your writing is and how you own it from right down in your soul. It does what all good art does – inspires others to create! Girl crush recently rewatched Chocolat and she will always be an “I wanna be her”.