So sorry you're dealing with this, Tania. You're right about the relationship between mental and physical strains. I hope both start to clear up for you.
Fog is one thing I really miss about living in the mountains. We recently had a heavy cover in our area and it was striking, how it changed the landscape. It's far more rare here on my particular coast.
I like the idea of fog, mystery, and the unknown. I do not see a lot of fog here in Ottawa. But I remember living in South Korea and lived near some mountains in the suburbs of Seoul. Every morning I could see a thick fog hanging over the tops of the mountains. It always gave me that same cozy, yet mysterious vibe.
I can relate to this on so many levels. For years I lived in brain fog and exhaustion. My body in a constant state of fight. I remember my therapist saying, “You’re living in survival mode and we are not meant to live there.” I had to honor my body and then work with it; using different modalities I can finally say the brain fog has lifted. Lion’s Mane Mushroom helped a lot with that. Thank you for this beautiful post and for the mention. It’s such an honor to connect with you and be able to interact with such beautiful souls as yourself. Please know if I can offer support in anyway I happy to do so. ☺️
Your writings have helped me a lot Beckett! To see you come back from what you've been through has been more than inspirational, it has given me hope. I am grateful to you and all that you are sharing 💜 Unfortunately, all this has presumably inflamed my vagus nerve which led to Afib and palpitations. Lion's Mane is a no with blood thinners.
Im so sorry to hear that. If I can offer help or insight in anyway please feel free to reach out to me. Im happy to help however I can. What you’re going through isn’t easy but more importantly I want you to know you are supported as well. 🙏🏼😊
Tania, I will look at fog a whole lot differently after reading your post. The great thing about fog in any area of our lives is that it always subsides. Guess, like that old song says " I can see clearly now" fits.
It seems like with or without fog we should be at peace and receive that grace you talked about. Sometimes we need to reboot ourselves over and over again and let any fog mental or environmentally give us pause. Thanks for sharing your special insight into the unknown territory we will all encounter through life. It probably isn't really necessarily all about the fog but the inner self that we need to explore when the visibility or path we are on is limited or nonexistent.
Oh, thank you for the link Kimberly, I hadn't seen this one. I love how you describe the fog and how nourishing it is to life. Definitely something I'll be reflecting on. The Mind Rebalanced video was helpful to watch.
This is lovely and inspiring ,Tania! Your descriptions of fog, being on the boat, living on the river, and dealing with your own fog are meaningful. The description of grace is perfect. Warm wishes to you as you embrace grace in 2025. 🩵
Thank you so much Karen! I think I'm being shown to let words pass through me rather than analyzing so much. Surrendering to that keeps my foggy brain out of it.
Thank you very much! That early morning when the clouds broke open like that was so magical, and a message I much needed. Napatree is about 20 minutes from where I live and a perfect place to find hope or inspiration (at sunrise).
Tania, this is a very moving piece. I also love fog, as long as I'm not trying to navigate through it. In photography, fog creates magical conditions that can isolate and simplify a composition. May you find more grace and better help each day!
Thank you! Yes, fog seems to mute the "rough edges". I know you enjoy photographing flowing water as well. I look out on a cove and love seeing the many moods of the water.
Thank you Ryan! Isn't it funny that labeling something, even if it doesn't make a difference, makes a difference? Hard to let that go as a human and be okay with what is.
It is funny and fascinating. During meditation this morning, I was feeling overwhelmed and gasping for air. Only when I stopped to label my feelings did my body and mind begin to settle.
I didn’t go to sleep until after 4am; I often find myself still awake till the early morning hours.
This am, before I went to bed, I looked out and saw that the fog was so thick it was nearly impossible to see more than 50-100ft away.
I call it: being in the clouds. I don’t know why, but I love it. Maybe it’s because it’s a metaphor of life?
We don’t always know what’s ahead of us, and often can only see the next step or two . . . but we have to keep moving even so, and have faith that as we move forward, our path will become more clear to us.
It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs: I can see clearly now the rain has gone! I can see all obstacles in my way!
Thanks for reminding me of these things! And thanks for listening.
Oh thank you Barbara! I appreciate your response. I really like that song as well. Thank you for this: "and have faith that as we move forward, our path will become more clear to us." ☀️
I understand grace as the loyalty and connection that arises from love. It can show up interpersonally and it can show up as an experience that “I am cared for by the universe.” That might be very practical—food to eat, air to breathe (though some might have a hard time seeing food and air as having anything to do with “love”)—or something more spiritual.
Thank you for expanding my understanding of grace, Dan. I love the idea that grace could appear as "I am cared for by the universe." So, gratitude would be towards grace rather than the "gift" or what is received.
“Grace” holds a special meaning for me as well—alluding to a wonderful and elegant way of being in, and moving through, the world. I’m considering a “grace” tattoo in my near future. I also practice G.R.A.C.E. as taught by the endearing Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax when faced with a challenging situation or person: Gather attention. Reflect upon intention. Attune to the energies present. Consider what will best serve. Engage. (Then End—Roshi added a second E to the end to highlight the essential and healthy need to disengage when the time comes.)
This is such a beautifully woven reflection - like the fog itself, soft yet profound, obscuring yet revealing. The way you connect the outer landscape to the inner experience of brain fog and resilience is deeply moving. And ‘grace’ as a guiding word for 2025? Absolutely perfect. It feels like both a gentle embrace and a quiet strength, something to lean into as we navigate the unknown. Wishing you ease, clarity, and a sea that always leads you home. ❤️✨
So sorry you're dealing with this, Tania. You're right about the relationship between mental and physical strains. I hope both start to clear up for you.
Fog is one thing I really miss about living in the mountains. We recently had a heavy cover in our area and it was striking, how it changed the landscape. It's far more rare here on my particular coast.
Thank you James! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment 💜 Fog in the mountains is awesome!
I like the idea of fog, mystery, and the unknown. I do not see a lot of fog here in Ottawa. But I remember living in South Korea and lived near some mountains in the suburbs of Seoul. Every morning I could see a thick fog hanging over the tops of the mountains. It always gave me that same cozy, yet mysterious vibe.
As I mentioned to James' comment, fog in the mountains is something special. Can't believe I forgot to mention mysterious when I described the fog.
I can relate to this on so many levels. For years I lived in brain fog and exhaustion. My body in a constant state of fight. I remember my therapist saying, “You’re living in survival mode and we are not meant to live there.” I had to honor my body and then work with it; using different modalities I can finally say the brain fog has lifted. Lion’s Mane Mushroom helped a lot with that. Thank you for this beautiful post and for the mention. It’s such an honor to connect with you and be able to interact with such beautiful souls as yourself. Please know if I can offer support in anyway I happy to do so. ☺️
Your writings have helped me a lot Beckett! To see you come back from what you've been through has been more than inspirational, it has given me hope. I am grateful to you and all that you are sharing 💜 Unfortunately, all this has presumably inflamed my vagus nerve which led to Afib and palpitations. Lion's Mane is a no with blood thinners.
And I'm slowly going back and reading your earlier writings.
Im so sorry to hear that. If I can offer help or insight in anyway please feel free to reach out to me. Im happy to help however I can. What you’re going through isn’t easy but more importantly I want you to know you are supported as well. 🙏🏼😊
You are truly a beautiful soul Beckett! I appreciate you and all you do--you have a huge heart.
Btw I love Anne Lamont. I have read all her books.
Tania, I will look at fog a whole lot differently after reading your post. The great thing about fog in any area of our lives is that it always subsides. Guess, like that old song says " I can see clearly now" fits.
It seems like with or without fog we should be at peace and receive that grace you talked about. Sometimes we need to reboot ourselves over and over again and let any fog mental or environmentally give us pause. Thanks for sharing your special insight into the unknown territory we will all encounter through life. It probably isn't really necessarily all about the fog but the inner self that we need to explore when the visibility or path we are on is limited or nonexistent.
Grace for 2025,
Barbara
I love this Barbara! Thank you for your insight, and continued support of my creative endeavors.
Such important reflections Tania, and thank you for the kind nod.
I’m so glad our paths have crossed over here. I too wrote about fog a few months ago (both interval and environmental), if you’re in the mood to read, here’s the link: https://open.substack.com/pub/unfixed/p/in-defense-of-fog?r=3lmmp&utm_medium=ios
Oh, thank you for the link Kimberly, I hadn't seen this one. I love how you describe the fog and how nourishing it is to life. Definitely something I'll be reflecting on. The Mind Rebalanced video was helpful to watch.
I'm so glad Tania. Enjoy the fog and its many manifestations this weekend. x
This is lovely and inspiring ,Tania! Your descriptions of fog, being on the boat, living on the river, and dealing with your own fog are meaningful. The description of grace is perfect. Warm wishes to you as you embrace grace in 2025. 🩵
Thank you so much Karen! I think I'm being shown to let words pass through me rather than analyzing so much. Surrendering to that keeps my foggy brain out of it.
Tania, this is such a poignant and vulnerable and powerful sharing. With you in the fog.
The heart opening in the clouds at Napatree Point Beach is breathtaking. I wish you that kind of grace in 2025, and in every moment you seek it.
Thank you for mentioning my work; it made my day.
Thank you very much! That early morning when the clouds broke open like that was so magical, and a message I much needed. Napatree is about 20 minutes from where I live and a perfect place to find hope or inspiration (at sunrise).
Wishing you a wonderful 2025. 💜
I love the part about grace so much x
I agree, Hannah. It was exactly what I couldn't put into my own words, and now I have something concrete to work from.
Tania, this is a very moving piece. I also love fog, as long as I'm not trying to navigate through it. In photography, fog creates magical conditions that can isolate and simplify a composition. May you find more grace and better help each day!
Thank you! Yes, fog seems to mute the "rough edges". I know you enjoy photographing flowing water as well. I look out on a cove and love seeing the many moods of the water.
Modern life often needs its edges muted 😉
I’m sorry for your ongoing brain fog. I’m glad you were able to label it, but that sounds disheartening.
You capture the essence and beauty of fog so eloquently. I enjoy fog as an adult as much as waking up to a foot of snow as a kid left me in awe.
Thank you Ryan! Isn't it funny that labeling something, even if it doesn't make a difference, makes a difference? Hard to let that go as a human and be okay with what is.
It is funny and fascinating. During meditation this morning, I was feeling overwhelmed and gasping for air. Only when I stopped to label my feelings did my body and mind begin to settle.
I've learned the brain LOVES having emotions named -- it's like "Oh, I know what that is, I'm okay now." 😁
Right? There's something about knowing that closes the open loop and settles the mind. It's powerful. Thanks for the exchange, Tania.
I didn’t go to sleep until after 4am; I often find myself still awake till the early morning hours.
This am, before I went to bed, I looked out and saw that the fog was so thick it was nearly impossible to see more than 50-100ft away.
I call it: being in the clouds. I don’t know why, but I love it. Maybe it’s because it’s a metaphor of life?
We don’t always know what’s ahead of us, and often can only see the next step or two . . . but we have to keep moving even so, and have faith that as we move forward, our path will become more clear to us.
It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs: I can see clearly now the rain has gone! I can see all obstacles in my way!
Thanks for reminding me of these things! And thanks for listening.
Oh thank you Barbara! I appreciate your response. I really like that song as well. Thank you for this: "and have faith that as we move forward, our path will become more clear to us." ☀️
I understand grace as the loyalty and connection that arises from love. It can show up interpersonally and it can show up as an experience that “I am cared for by the universe.” That might be very practical—food to eat, air to breathe (though some might have a hard time seeing food and air as having anything to do with “love”)—or something more spiritual.
Thank you for expanding my understanding of grace, Dan. I love the idea that grace could appear as "I am cared for by the universe." So, gratitude would be towards grace rather than the "gift" or what is received.
“Grace” holds a special meaning for me as well—alluding to a wonderful and elegant way of being in, and moving through, the world. I’m considering a “grace” tattoo in my near future. I also practice G.R.A.C.E. as taught by the endearing Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax when faced with a challenging situation or person: Gather attention. Reflect upon intention. Attune to the energies present. Consider what will best serve. Engage. (Then End—Roshi added a second E to the end to highlight the essential and healthy need to disengage when the time comes.)
Thank you for sharing the G.R.A.C.E. practice Kert. I hadn't heard of it.
This is such a beautifully woven reflection - like the fog itself, soft yet profound, obscuring yet revealing. The way you connect the outer landscape to the inner experience of brain fog and resilience is deeply moving. And ‘grace’ as a guiding word for 2025? Absolutely perfect. It feels like both a gentle embrace and a quiet strength, something to lean into as we navigate the unknown. Wishing you ease, clarity, and a sea that always leads you home. ❤️✨