lets circle together

At the end of July, I lead my last Write Together class on Zoom. We had been gathering weekly for 16 months but it was time for a pause. Time to slow down, travel, gather with family, regain my own footing and follow the joy inside my heart.

The pause was what I needed. I filled my well in more ways than I can count by grounding my feet into the earth, being basked in the warm glow of sunshine, laughing until tears fell from my eyes, exploring new places, and seeing familiar spaces with a new perspective.

And now I am here. In this moment. Unsure how to begin again.

Before the pause, I was in a groove. Writing my own story. But now that the pen has been put down I am unsure how to pick it up again. What words would I write? What story would I want to tell? Where would I be taken?

Have you ever stopped something you enjoyed and felt unsure how to start again? That is exactly how I am feeling at this moment. Unsteady on my feet. Wanting to plan for the future but am unsure what those plans look like.

Luckily I am surrounded by a brilliant community that sees where I am even when I am not saying a word. This community reminds me that we don’t have to take the journey alone. We can begin again together.

And that is exactly what we will do. We will start again, wherever we are.

Join Tara & I for an evening of circling together. Where comfy clothes. Bring along a journal & pen, a cup of tea or glass of wine, and gather with those who have been missing you.

Through writing and conversation, we will navigate where you have been and where you may want to go. Sometimes the hardest part is beginning. Let's begin again together.

Wednesday, October 6th
7-8:30 PM

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After over a year and a half of connecting through the digital world, I am beyond excited to announce that I will be teaching two classes at Lucky Star Art Camp! Camp takes place November 3rd - 7th in Hunt Texas and I would love to see YOU there.

Lisa is still working tirelessly to get the site updated but camp is happening! Sign up deadline is October 16th!

Imagine gathering together. Creating alongside one another. Sharing thoughts, ideas, inspiration. Telling stories. Laughing long into the night. And simply just being in community with each other. I know it is going to be dreamy.

When you give yourself permission to spill open, soul-full words pour out. You do not need to be a writer to write soulfully. What you need is a desire to unravel what is deep inside. In this class, you will learn about creating a journaling practice and how to write from the heart. There will be time for writing as you lean into prompts and exercises to break through the protective wall we all have built around our heart. Plus, an opportunity to create your own prompt cards that can be used over and over again.

Through writing, painting, and collage you will remember what it feels like to play as you create your personal field guide. This journal will become a reflection of what lights you up and become a tool you can reference again and again on your path forward. It will be a beautiful reminder of the joy that breathes in your heart as you fill it with words and images that are a reflection of the radiant spirit you are. You will tuck this guide in your bag to take home so that you can reference it whenever you feel yourself stumbling. It is a beautiful reminder of the light you shine in this world.

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It has been a long time since I have carved out time for myself and attended a retreat. I know my mind, body, and soul need this more than ever. The past year and a half took a toll on me and it’s time to reground and come back to center.

Being in community heals. It provides space to show up exactly as you are. An opportunity to slow down and regroup. And chance to fill your own well which is needed from time to time.

I hope you will join me either on Zoom, at Lucky Star or over on the Soul Circle Community space. We need each other more than ever. Let’s be together and begin again.

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lets hang out together on Instagram: @jbelthoff

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asking for help

I want you to know that you don’t have to do it all on your own.  

The dishes, the laundry, the grocery shopping.  There is a lot that you do to keep your world spinning smoothly.  Cleaning out the garage, wiping down the counter, remembering to take out the trash.  The list feels never-ending. There is also getting everyone where they need to be. Planning for the next troop meeting.  And trying to lift that side hustle off the ground that you are so passionate about.

I see you over there in your corner of the world.  I see how hard you work. How much you show up. How you make so many things happen and most of it occurs behind the scenes.  You give and you give and you give, never really expecting much in return.  

You are a freakin ROCKSTAR.  

But here’s the thing.  I know that the weight of the world feels like it is on your shoulders.  You are carrying all of it and picking up more boulders along the way. But you don’t have to be doing that.  You don’t have to carry it all alone. It’s ok to let the dust and laundry pile up. It’s ok to take a break. It’s ok to ask for help.  

I know it’s hard.  Hard to reach out. Hard to let go.  Hard to give someone there own time to do something that you would have done in half the time.  

But all that responsibility isn’t yours alone.  There are people who will help if you ask. Some will do so willingly others may take a little more coaxing.  And there are others who can do what you are trying to do even better. Let them jump in. Let them help. Together we can do more.  You don’t have to do it all alone. 

You deserve to fill your tank.  You deserve to rest. To ease in.  To simply just be. You deserve to see how things can go beyond what you ever thought they could be when you have the right people in place doing their part.  

We need each other.  We need to reach out and to lean in.  Go ahead, take that first step today in asking for help and easing some of the weight you are carrying.  

What is one thing you can take off your plate today and ask someone to help out with? Share in the comments so that we can all cheer you on.

Let’s be friends on Instagram @jbelthoff

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share your truth

I stand in the shadows of my own disappointment wondering if I will ever be able to pull myself out of this sorrow.  My inner critic is on a roll and has an awful lot to say. About how I am not good enough. And who do I think I am anyway to try to make such a big thing happen.  She is relentless and won’t stop. Has this ever happened to you?  

All of her words are washing over me, penetrating my heart and tearing me down.  It is painful to stand in this darkness. I want to curl up and hide. I don’t want anyone to see me wallowing.  But I know that I can’t stay in the dark forever. I need to emerge from the shadows even if that means my scars will be seen. 

And so I step out into the light.  Eyes squinting, unsure of where I am.  It takes a lot for me to share this pain. To show up with my heart on my sleeve.  To allow others to see my failure. Even though I don’t want to, I know that it must be done.  I cannot hide in my bunker forever. 

I reach out, looking for a friendly face. I share my pain.  Share my heartache. Share my disappointment. In this sharing, something beyond expectation happens.  People lean in. Hold my hand. And even walk the path with me. They show me the way when I don’t know which way to go.  They remind me that I am never alone.    

I didn’t want anyone to know that I fell flat on my face.  I didn’t want anyone to know that I failed. But here’s the thing, we don’t always make it to the top of the mountain.  Sometimes we stumble. Sometimes we fall. It is all a part of living. And all of it matters, not just the pretty perfect pieces but the messy ones as well.  

And so I encourage you to not hide your pain.  Don’t stand alone in your shadows. Others may not have walked through what you have, but they have navigated their own struggles.  They know what it feels like to not feel good enough. They know what it feels to fall down and have to peel themselves off the floor.  

I would still be standing in my own darkness, feeling like I wasn’t good enough had I not reached out.  It is in opening our hearts and sharing our experiences that we connect. Being vulnerable. Not always having to appear perfect.  We need to share our raw, honest self. Even when it isn’t pretty.  

I am grateful that I didn’t stay hidden.  Grateful that I had the courage to share my truth.  I am coming out on the other side with so much tucked inside my heart.  I stand a little bit taller than before. Yes, I am not where I want to be.  But I am here, surrounded by love. I took a chance. I tried. And I am better for it.  I have found a new pair of wings to help me fly and only one question remains.

What will I do with my new found wings?

3 things you need to know about self-care

Looking for a way to show yourself some self-care? Join me at the Soul Circle Retreat!

Do you crave connection with like-minded souls?  
As human beings, we need moments to connect and help us grow into who we are meant to be. Retreat is a beautiful and sacred way to cultivate this.  It provides an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and reconnect to your great big beautiful heart!

Choose to do something for yourself and join me by the sea! The ocean is an amazing place to detoxify your soul.

October 2nd-6th in New Jersey!