Moving Forward, Don’t Look Back…
I don’t know about you, but I’m terrible at beating myself up and lingering on regret. My inner voice berates me, worrying me about what I’ve done wrong, or shouldn’t have done, or how I should have made different decisions, and how the decisions I have made will have impacted on my children’s teenage years – years I can never get back. My husband says, you need to let that go and move on, and he’s right, but it’s a work in progress for me to be able to do that.
In this issue, Roma Norriss shares how she has tried to let go and move forward to release herself from trauma patterns. Her wise words are reassuring. Her approach is not to beat yourself up, but to take your awareness and work with that. In this way, I’m aware that it’s my perimenopausal anger that is making me rage at all that is going on in the world – and that is not a bad thing. I feel powerful: that my voice should be heard. Rather than silencing this woman, I’m ready to step up and be counted, to speak up against injustice and perpetuating ‘the norm’. Lizzie Mae Smith writes powerfully about us being ready for “these times” – ready to step up to the challenges we face, rather than being afraid. That inspires me to use my perimenopausal energy for good, instead of seeing it as a problem.
In the spirit of moving forward, Flora Cruft reflects on the maelstrom of emotions she felt in the early days of mothering twins. She has channelled that energy into poetry, and, with her twin girls now aged 7, she is able to look back and be kinder to herself about how she coped.
Mother energy is powerful, and our new look honours that. We are always inspired by the creativity of artists we work with. Across all our issues, JUNO features beautiful illustrations that enhance our articles, and Rosalind, our designer, felt inspired to let our covers shout this out. We are delighted to feature an illustration by Erin Darcy on our cover and to hear Erin’s reflections on being a ‘mother maker’; Erin too is learning to move forward, to step tentatively into a changing life as her children grow up.
JUNO is a celebration of parenting, but also an acknowledgement of the mix of joys, challenges, emotions, hardships, awe and wonder family life can involve. I hope you feel the power of this as you read these pages, and that this power helps you to step forward into your unique energy.
Featured contributors…
Erin Darcy is a self-taught artist and activist. Inspired by women and children, Erin’s paintings and writing often reflect the taboo subjects of miscarriage, grief, mother loss, abortion, depression, and radical self-love. Find out more about what inspires Erin from page 43 of JUNO Early Spring 2022.
Robert Stephen has written for us about a reciprocal relationship with nature. Since becoming a parent, Robert has recognised children to be among the most wonderful mindfulness teachers, especially when it comes to relating to the living world.
What’s inside JUNO Early Spring, Issue 77?
JUNO’s ethos is based on conscious parenting, sustainability, social justice, non-violence and a commitment to personal growth and spiritual awareness. Our Early Spring issue is packed full of supportive and informative features including:
- Lotus birth & breastfeeding journey
- Raising twins: Flora Cruft explores how motherhood made her stronger
- Body positivity & owning our unique beauty
- I’ve got you – considering the parental role
- Mother maker… reflecting on art and motherhood
- Healthy earth, healthy body
- Home education support – reading and writing
- Mindful dad on stepping into the void
- Becoming a celebrant
- Discover an herbal first aid kit
- Vegan recipes for fresh, simple and fast food
- Healing trauma patterns
- Raising antiracists with award-winning producer Laura Henry-Allain
- Natural living reviews – 12 ethical products we love
- Nature crafts: inspired by birds & wildlife conservation
Plus all your favourite regulars and columns including Empowered Birth, Mindful Dad, My Teen, Birth in Pictures, Natural Connections, Community Photography, Reflections of a Homeopath Sensory Herbalism, Home Education, Life on the Land, A Page for Young People, My Life My Way, and book reviews for all ages.
Wassailing: Voice of the Wild