Hello From the Founder - The Very First Post

In a world of first impressions, it can be hard to write this without expecting perfection. What should I talk about? What voice should I be using to sound professional while still keeping my authentic (not always very professional) voice? Should I use AI to fine tune my writing? If I do, how many customers might I lose in the future from the water I wasted editing my blog post?

People keep imploring me to just start. It doesn't have to be perfect, right? Just put it out there and people will come. But that message conflicts with my inner monologue. The one telling me that if I'm not perfect, I'm not worthy. The one telling me that you, dear reader, will see my typos and think the topic I discuss is boring and you'll turn away from me in disgust.

Without the professional equipment, or even a fully fleshed-out product idea, I feel vulnerable and scared of rejection. Without all the flash and filler, I'm just me. And this is the start of me sharing my life's work with the world in a brand new way that could expose me as an imposter. In my 10 years of exploring wellness and holistic health, the tricks I've learned are so simple that any of our evolutionary cousins could easily pick up these habits and benefit. Why do you need me and my blog?

But that's the thing about wellness, I guess. You don't need fancy self-help books or poetic inspiration; you just need to show up with your authentic self, an open mind, and your breath. The healing doesn't come when I bring you to tears with my amazing words or when I read the Vettius Valens and recite all the cooling properties of Venus to you. It comes when we get together and you, the reader, can digest the words I'm communicating in a way that's meaningful to you.

So maybe I won't sound like a scholar, and maybe for now I'll keep writing in first person (until I can find amazing new writers who have a more polished voice, of course). Maybe that will evolve, or maybe I'll just get used to cozying up with my coffee in the morning and typing a few paragraphs. What I do know is that I will strive to provide thoughtful, authentic content that comes from the heart, and that comes from years of studying and practicing.

Welcome to Elements of Us. I'm Ivy, and I can't wait to see how this evolves. My job is to help people cut through the noise that interrupts the inner voice that guides us. I do that by studying and teaching ancient healing philosophies that have helped people reconnect with their mind, body, and spirit for generations. I don't have the deep wisdom of King Solomon, or the ability to speak every word with clarity like Mel Brooks. But I do have a special interest in philosophy, and I look forward to learning things that can help us think about how the world around us affects our everyday life, and how deeply we truly affect the world around us.

Please stay tuned, and look out for our social media and podcast content coming soon. And if you're a writer who wants to help out, explore our page and reach out to me about joining the team (because this is nerve-wracking).