Morgan Harper Nichols' Blog

Category: Daily

  • Discovering new depths, even in the smallest things

    Discovering new depths, even in the smallest things

    You are free to discover new depths, right here where you are.

    You are free to engage in a practice of finding meaning in ordinary spaces, revealing depths that you have never realized before.

    Look for small moments that remind you of how you can explore new ways of doing things, right here where you are. This could look like:

    -Encountering someone rearranging or organizing something in a way that inspires you to try your own version.
    -Hearing someone you know recall a story you’ve heard them tell before, but you think of a new question to ask them about it.
    -Turning on a free calming nature music video on loop, transforming a noisy space into something slightly more calming.
    -Giving energy to something important that often gets overlooked.
    -Taking a photograph of something that isn’t typically or socially deemed as “photogenic” because it’s seen as too ordinary, but choosing to observe the beauty in it anyway.

    What all of these examples have in common is their potential to transform the mundane into something meaningful. These moments may not feel like they take you into the furthest depths, but just as dipping your toes into the water still lets you feel the ocean’s embrace, these are small moments that provide meaning and value in ways you might not expect. No matter how many times you have traveled the same coasts of everyday experiences, there is still more beyond the shore. Stay open to the small details in daily life that remind you of the hidden depth that awaits in the simplest things. And as you begin to notice these small things more, you might just begin to discover even further depths you never noticed before. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Navigating the winding journey with gentleness, attention, care

    Navigating the winding journey with gentleness, attention, care

    If you think of your life as a journey, you will slowly begin to find that it doesn’t have to be a sprint or forceful. Instead, you are free to navigate this winding path with gentleness, attention, and care. Even when figuring things out, remember that there is room for depth, exploration, and discovery to grow over time.

    It’s okay if some paths feel non-linear. It might be unfamiliar at first, but with time, you will find your rhythm and pace.

    Parts of this journey may feel sporadic. In relationships, there might be periods of closeness and distance. You will encounter both grief and joy. And as you do, remember, through it all, as sure as rivers flow and flowers grow, there will be room for you to nurture gentleness, attention, and care, right where you are.

    Words to repeat to yourself on the roads that wind and meander in life:

    “I am finding rhythms here, one day at a time.
    I am exploring new paths patiently.
    I am learning that when I reach a winding part of the journey, it does not mean I am ‘behind.’
    I am realizing that finding areas in life where I can take my time adds richness to life.
    For wherever I am headed at any given moment, I practice breathing on the way there.
    I navigate this winding journey with gentleness, attention, and care.”

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • the value of gradual changes

    the value of gradual changes

    There’s so much we can learn from the smaller shifts. Even when it comes to ways we think about rejuvenation, and creating space for it.

    Consider the sun’s daily journey. We rarely notice its moment-to-moment movement. Yet, at dawn and dusk, these accumulated small shifts suddenly become obvious. The sun’s gradual change, which is harder to notice throughout the day, reveals itself dramatically as the sun begins to set.

    As the sunrise and sunset show us, these gradual changes add up over time. When it comes to creating space for rejuvenation, small cumulative shifts matter, too.

    Here’s a way to think about rest and feeling refreshed over a longer timeframe. Reflect on these questions about the past decade:

    How has your idea of “feeling refreshed” changed over the last ten years?
    What things do you do differently now to rest and recover compared to 10 years ago?
    What activities have always helped you feel rested and energized?
    How do you think the way you recharge could continue to change with time?

    Taking a long-term view allows you to spot subtle shifts that might go unnoticed in shorter periods. It’s like watching the sun’s journey across the sky – individual moments may seem unremarkable, but over time, the change becomes profound. Like horizon lines stretching out before you, this broader view can help you appreciate how far you’ve come and how your small, consistent efforts have gradually built up over time.

    Through the years, you’ve been learning more about what it means to find rhythms, rest, and rejuvenation than you realize. And even if you still have ways to go, what you’ve already been discovering matters more than you know.

    Remember, in the same way the sun’s position becomes clear at specific times of day, your cumulative efforts for rejuvenation will show themselves in noticeable ways over time, too. Keep giving attention to those small shifts. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • You are allowed to do things differently now

    You are allowed to do things differently now

    You are allowed to do things differently now. You are allowed to embrace a wholehearted approach to life. Approaching where you are with wholeheartedness is to approach each day with sincere engagement, being fully engaged, where you are and how you can. And when you start to feel unsure if you are being fully present in the “right way,” take a moment to reflect and learn from where you’ve been.

    Think about all the moments in your life where you may not have been everything, but you were still able to be engaged in life in a meaningful way. Remember all the times when you were not even thinking about “being present,” and yet, there you were, breathing through each moment, acting with courage, and learning to sincerely engage with life in the way you knew how. This may not have generated the perfect results all the time, and the outcome may not have always been what you hoped or expected. It is okay to acknowledge and grieve that. And at the same time, it is also okay to acknowledge and embrace this very moment as a space in which you are still breathing, and you are free to gently and intentionally explore what it means to live wholeheartedly, right here, in new ways. This could look like:

    Finding value in the process of something coming to life, not just the result.
    Exploring new paths, even when it means starting over.
    Allowing yourself to let love in again
    Acknowledging the progress you made, even if it seems small to others
    Letting yourself become a lifelong learner in some way, even amidst the doubts that it’s too late.

    All of these are examples of embracing the “whole picture” of something: there may be a fear, doubt, or uncertainty, but you’re still open to approaching the situation wholeheartedly. You’re still able to learn from where you’ve been while recognizing, today is still a new day, and you are still free to be fully engaged right here, in pursuit of what could be.

    So here’s to letting go of the old expectations of a perfect method for being present right here, and letting yourself embrace this present moment as a space in which you can learn from where you’ve been and do something differently now, with wholeheartedness. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Beneath the layers

    Beneath the layers

    Like an ecosystem that thrives beneath the surface of a lake, life is more than outward accomplishments and the roles you have assumed. Of course, there can be great value in those things, but at the same time, in the same way a large body of water has depth and meaning beyond what is seen, the same is true with you.

    At times, this can feel too good to be true, especially when other people are relying on you and you have a great degree of responsibility. However, this is all the more reason to stay in tune with those spaces that remind you: there is more to you. Here are some places where you might begin to get subtle hints of further depths, worth noticing:

    • A place where time slows down, and you feel like you’re able to savor more
    • A conversation with someone where you actually feel like you’re being heard
    • An environment where you feel like you can try something new without worrying about doing it perfectly
    • Any small moment where you are out of your regular routine, and your wheels start turning about something new you’d like to try, explore, or consider

    These are just a few examples of things that can remind to us that there’s more to discover. And no matter how subtle or fleeting moments are, think of them as moments that remind you of who you are, beyond the surface. Think of them as ripples on the surface that remind you of the water’s further depths. Because no matter how small they are, you can continue to remind yourself that they are connected to deeper layers. These might be deeper layers that not everyone sees, and they may be deeper layers you’re still getting to know yourself, but you know you are free to explore them, one day at a time, as you learn to be more mindfully aware of who you really are beyond your roles and accomplishments, and all that there is to still discover. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Tending to the garden right here

    Tending to the garden right here

    As you learn to embrace the space right before you, you are still free to dream of what could be.

    You can be present to this moment and you can also dream ahead. Being present does not mean that you must figure out how to optimize the present moment in every possible way. Instead, like gardens that need to be tended to, this present moment can be thought of as a space in which you learn to cultivate what you can, when you can, and how you can. In a garden, it is only natural to go back and forth between planning, reflecting, and being present to the task right before you. It is only natural to long for the rain or seek to hide from the heat of sun, adjusting whatever you need to adjust, based on the conditions. Today, allow yourself to do the same. Take the pressure off yourself. There is no need to strain yourself trying to be in the present moment in the most perfect, streamlined way possible before you can view this very moment as a space you are moving through, how you can, one moment at a time. It is possible to be a dreamer and also one who tends the dirt that will nourish for those very dreams at the same time. There is room to be present while also pondering what’s to come. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Learning to hear the piano in the background (searching for harmoniousness)

    Learning to hear the piano in the background (searching for harmoniousness)

    May you be grateful for what is subtly, yet meaningfully harmonious wherever you find it.

    When people are singing and their voices are harmonizing together, it creates a pleasant sound that blends seamlessly and it can be deeply appreciated whether you have a trained musical ear or not. However, if those voices were singing over the sound of someone playing a piano, it might be harder to hear the chords that the piano is making because it’s more subtle and in the background. However, even though it’s more subtle, there is still harmony coming to life there, too.

    It’s a beautiful, satisfying thing to experience things coming together in life, like vocals creating harmony. However, before, after, and in between those moments, there are also the subtle notes, like the piano in the background that might get overlooked but are still worth paying attention to.

    You stumble upon something small that you’ve been looking for.
    Someone explains something to you in a way you can understand it.
    Moments when you’ve identified your role as a part of a larger initiative.

    These small, and even serendipitous moments may not seem like very much on the surface, playing softly in the background as we listen out for the bigger moments, but in reality, like piano notes in the background, they are still a part of what composes harmonies in life.

    So in those moments where you find yourself longing for those bigger harmonies in life, like dynamic voices all singing together in a melodic, rhythmic fashion, may you know it’s okay to long for that. It’s beautiful and it’s only natural to desire this. And at the same time, in those in-between moments, notice when more subtle harmonies begin to feel a space. Even if they are subtle, allow yourself to practice training your “ear” for them. And this process might just help you find value in the greater harmonies, too. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Breaking through to begin again

    Breaking through to begin again

    There will be times in life when you are aware that you are outgrowing old constraints. You may realize that something you used to do all the time no longer feels like a part of your journey. Or perhaps, there are people you used to be close to whom you’ve had to say goodbye to. These are moments where you can feel the shift happening, and you may even notice things changing within yourself.

    And then, there are also moments when the outgrowing of those old constraints may happen in more subtle ways, and it’s worth noticing those, too. In the same way a plant might not initially look like it’s about to outgrow its pot before it suddenly sheds old leaves to make room for new growth and reaches for the sun in a new direction, perhaps the same is true in our lives, too.

    Perhaps, it might look like this:
    The shift: You used to be driven by a strong image of how things were supposed to go, but now, you’re becoming less attached to those rigid expectations. You’re starting to be open to unexpected possibilities.

    The subtle outgrowing: There might not be a dramatic action taken in this sense, just a quiet shedding of tightly-held blueprints. Instead of resisting when life doesn’t follow the script, you are slowly cultivating an openness to what may unfold.

    The shift: You once could only see strength as holding on with all your might, but now you’re discovering the importance of letting go, too. You’re learning that flexibility and adaptability are forms of strength as well.

    The subtle outgrowing: This transformation might not come with grand gestures. Instead, it’s a gradual realization that there are some things that need untangling and unwinding. By releasing them, you’re not giving up; you’re making room for growth and new experiences, gently becoming a little more free, easing your way into new beginnings.

    In both the larger and more subtle moments, may there be more room to observe all of the steps you’ve taken to move through this. Like a growing plant, may you continue to turn and face the rising sun and shed what is no longer needed so you can continue to grow as you were meant to. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Embracing Rest

    Embracing Rest

    on embracing “rests:”

    In music, the rests between notes contribute to the overall structure and flow of the melody. Perhaps, moments of stillness can add depth and texture to your vibrant, active life. The very thing that may seem as though it mutes the melody could actually be setting the stage for what’s to come. This can be a valuable thing to remember if you find yourself in a state of restlessness. For without rests, how can the music breathe?

    When you’re yearning for something energizing, explore how quieter moments might actually be setting the stage for future crescendos. Try to make room for a spectrum of experiences – from loud, vibrant sections to soft, gentle melodies. Let these different dynamics inform and enrich each other, creating a fullness––like different instruments that have unique purposes, all playing together in harmony.

    Embrace the quiet interludes wherever you find them, they are more critical to the music than we may realize. When you start to feel that restlessness, think of rest not as an empty measure where you must be silent, but as the space between two songs, a necessary transition. That small space could literally be only one beat, and yet, it exists as a meaningful pause between musical phrases.

    What music shows us is that it is possible to embrace movement while also valuing stillness. Life moves through various tempos and volumes. May you create room to discover and rediscover the beauty in this range of experiences, again and again, through all the rhythms, tones, and cadences of life. Let yourself, “not do anything” for a moment, or even several moments, however you can…for this, too is a part of the music.

  • Be engaged where you need to be, and let go where you need to

    Be engaged where you need to be, and let go where you need to

    Allow yourself to be fully engaged where you need to, and let go where you need to. You are not inadequate if you cannot be fully engaged with all things, at all times. Doing your best in the moment doesn’t mean you’re not fully committed. Instead, it is an opportunity to invest your efforts where they’re needed and release the rest.

    Allow yourself to enjoy creating something while knowing that even before all of the details work out, you’re free to appreciate the progress you’ve made so far. You are allowed to find joy in the journey even before the outcome.

    Give yourself permission to embrace rest and renewal when needed, while letting go of the expectation you must rest in a perfect way for it to be worthwhile.

    Create room for flexibility and adaptation, even before you have it all sorted out.

    Being fully engaged in this life right here where you are doesn’t mean being present perfectly, never being distracted or overwhelmed. Instead, it’s about recognizing amidst the distractions and overwhelm, you are free to adjust, refocus, and take pressure off again and again, however you need to. Like the rhythm of breathing, creating space for what’s next. Fully engage where you need to and let go of the rest. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Redefining what counts as meaningful

    Redefining what counts as meaningful

    Finding value in ordinary experiences is not about forcing positivity onto every passing moment. Instead, it’s about allowing space for quiet recognition to take root. It is a way to be present how you can, as you prepare for the journey ahead.

    To find any richness in the ordinary today is not about ignoring everything else, but about allowing yourself to practice the very kind of attention that makes meaning possible in the first place. When you take time to notice more subtle things such as, how good it feels to be in certain spaces, how safe it feels to be with certain people, and how small gestures can restore a sense of belonging, you are affirming that the conditions for care, recognition, and connection begin in the everyday. You are saying that even if these things are normally small and unnamed, they still matter, and they are worth nurturing so that they can continue to grow in the future.

    You are allowed to redefine what counts as meaningful. You are allowed to consider everyday moments as valuable within themselves, not because they will always lead to something big, but because they help you notice what matters as you prepare for the journey ahead.

    Reclaim the significance of ordinary moments. And let them shape what kind of world is possible to carry onward into.

    – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Changing the landscape itself

    Changing the landscape itself

    Earthworms live in soil and eat decaying plant material. Their movement helps mix and aerate the earth, making it healthier for plants. And perhaps, one thing that can be learned from the earthworm is the significance of daring to go beyond the surface level. Without earthworms, soil would become compacted and less able to support the growth of crops and wild plants. In the same way earthworms patiently carve out new spaces underground, we can shape the spaces we move through with quiet persistence and determination. The smallest act can shift what seemed unmovable.

    Even when our efforts take time to show results, what remains is a kind of patient persistence that can continue to grow and a determination that we can continue to build upon. We can decide to say “yes” to depth. To spend more time on what good, honest things hold, not just what shines. To be present to the soil of this very moment, not only the distant skies.

    This does not mean hiding away forever or stagnating. Instead, it means thinking about the long-term, including the long-term that extends beyond ourselves. Like earthworms, we can learn to work steadily beneath the surface by staying present in what’s slow but necessary, and as a result, transform the landscape itself. A landscape not made overnight, but built to nourish what comes next. That kind of steady effort may not look like much at first, but it’s often how something good begins. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • To Begin Again

    To Begin Again

    Words to repeat to yourself:

    “I embrace little moments that remind me: it’s not too late to begin again.”

    Whether you’re

    Changing course on past goals or dreams,

    Wanted to try something new but worried about failing,

    Want to do something different but don’t know how…

    Let it be the little moments that remind you: you don’t have to rush into new beginnings. You can start small, gathering the ingredients you need to make something new. Look for places in your environment that can remind you of this.

    Here are some examples:

    Think of the ingredients lined up on the counter before you’re getting ready to cook something. It’s like seeing all the pieces you need, reminding you that you have what it takes to start and create something new. This could be a useful way to think about a new beginning if you feel overwhelmed by a blank slate. Think of the ingredients of life as being a base to work with.

    Think of the fresh book smell. It’s like a reminder that you can take your time with it. You don’t have to rush through every page. As you move through it, things will begin to make more sense. Think of moving through the month like that; as the fresh month feel wears off, just like a book, you’re getting deeper into the story. This could help if you feel overwhelmed by starting fresh. Think of the process as a journey that unfolds over time.

    Think of a cleaned-off shelf, ready to be rearranged. Even though there’s nothing on it yet, the shelf has enough structure to imagine what you can fill it with. Think of moving day by day like that, with each set of 24 hours offering new opportunities to add something meaningful. This could be useful if the idea of a blank canvas feels daunting. Consider the shelf’s structure as a foundation to build upon.

    While starting over in life in big ways often involves so much more than this, these smaller, daily things serve as inspiration for thinking about the bigger things.

    May these simple, everyday things remind you that you are free to begin again, no matter how big or small the steps you take. Embrace the little things and let them be a part of what helps you create space toward new possibilities. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • May the sunrise find you, right here at the edge of June

    May the sunrise find you, right here at the edge of June

    As you move toward the edge of June, I hope July reveals something wholehearted, and perhaps, even beautiful for you. Because for all of the things that have failed to make sense, and for all of the troubled, tangled things that seem to keep cracking open, maybe, there can still room for sunlight to filter through, too.

    As you look to the month ahead, may you look for any opportunity to pull back the curtains of what-ifs and almosts, even just a little, and let the sunrise-like nature of possibility find you: a slowly, rising current of warmth that still surprises you, even when it seemed the sunlight had already chosen elsewhere. May sunrise land right here, even if its flickers at first. And may there be something in you that believes in matters. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Finding language to tell this story

    Finding language to tell this story

    It can take a lot of energy to describe things and search for the right words, even when it comes to experiences we’re intimately familiar with. However, it can make a difference to give yourself permission to practice and explore within a space where there’s less pressure.

    Here’s an idea you can try. This exercise invites you to explore the subtle differences in how we perceive and describe shared experiences, ultimately helping you to find language for your own story.

    1 – Think of a recent, neutral or positive experience with someone else, like a dinner conversation or a trip to the grocery store. Write down 3-5 words that describe the overall feeling or atmosphere of that experience (e.g., relaxing, warm, busy). Don’t worry about being creative—just note what comes to mind.

    2 – Reach out to the person you shared the experience with. Explain you’re doing a journaling exercise: “Random question. What 3-5 words describe [briefly describe the experience] for you? I’m doing a quick journaling exercise.”

    3 – Compare your lists. Take note of word similarities and differences. Do they highlight different parts of the experience?

    4 – Observe even in shared experiences, we each perceive, describe, and tell stories differently.

    Alternative Exercise: Describe an experience today using 5 words. In 3 days, describe the same experience again without looking at your original words. Did anything change?

    Why This Matters: This exercise helps you validate your voice by showing how we all perceive and describe even simple experiences differently.

    This can have a profound impact on the stories we tell. When you can acknowledge and embrace these differences, it creates an opportunity for deeper connections and an opportunity to grow in confidence and it also allows you to connect more deeply with others and learn how they tell stories. You can start to notice your unique way of finding language for a store by noticing the subtle differences in how you (and others) describe even the most simple things.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

    If you’re interested in finding language to tell stories (through journaling, letter-writing, or creative or professional work) join me for an in-person writing workshop in Atlanta, Georgia on July 26! Tickets

  • small gentle spaces

    small gentle spaces

    Finding room to breathe, to feel, and to let go can be difficult to find in life, and at the same time, it can unfold in smaller ways than you may think. A small space to let out a breath you’ve been holding doesn’t need everything else to stop before you notice it and before it can matter. It might be small, but it is not insignificant, and it can provide the clarity and recharge you need to return your focus to what matters.

    A gentle space is a moment of calm amidst the chaos, and it’s even something you can happen to find, even if it’s only for a moment.

    Consider this: happening to find a gentle space is:

    Happening to notice the sound of leaves rustling,
    Noticing the oddly soothing rhythmic hum of the washing machine in the distance,
    Observing a tiny new leaf on the houseplant that wasn’t there before,
    Watching iridescent swirls in the soap bubbles,
    Witnessing steam rising from the coffee mug that dances in the sunlight, swirling and fading.
    These little spaces, these little moments, can also be accumulative, meaning they build upon each other to create a more profound sense of peace and clarity.

    It’s in these moments that things stop, perhaps even for a millisecond, but it’s a millisecond that still matters. A millisecond could be seen as a little space all on its own, too. Finding gentle spaces where things slow down and we begin to notice what is packed with dashes of joy, small changes in perspectives of ordinary moments, and flickers of sunlight isn’t about escaping reality, but about recognizing the need to pause so we can actually return to what we need or desire to do, rested and with clarity.

    Look for subtle gentle resets, even when you are just moving through the day. Seek them out in small ways. How can gentle moments provide room for ongoing discovery, even when it comes to something you’d like to feel, such as joy, comfort, and calm? What small things might support a healing journey in ways you’ve yet to realize? You are allowed to seek out these small gentle spaces in everyday life.

    Here’s to moving toward these harder-to-notice resets, not as an escape from life, but as a way to return to it.

    Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Finding peace in saying “no,” finding meaning in saying “yes”

    Finding peace in saying “no,” finding meaning in saying “yes”

    Identify areas in your life where you can find peace in saying “no” when you need to and find meaning in intentionally saying “yes” when you need to.

    Recognize specific situations where there is no room to say “yes” when you need to say “no” and “no” when you need to say “yes.” The significance of these specific situations is that it can be hard to figure everything out, especially when making changes in every area of your life. For instance, trying to say “yes” to many changes at once can be hard to do while pacing yourself and taking steps.

    So, allow yourself to start small. What’s one thing you can say “yes” to today? What’s one thing you can say “no” to today?

    Let’s say you’ve decided to say “yes” to creativity and “no” to the perfectionism that holds you back from being creative. Finding meaning in saying “yes” to creativity might look like allowing yourself to try something new that your 13-year-old self would have liked to create. It has meaning because it’s a part of your story. The peace you find in saying “no” is knowing that what your 13-year-old self needed to create wasn’t about perfection but about honesty and reflecting that version of yourself.

    Other ideas could include:

    Say “yes” to meaningful conversations and “no” to the pressure of always having the right words.

    Say “yes” to learning a new skill and “no” to the hesitation of not being good at it immediately.

    Say “yes” to exploring a new opportunity and “no” to worrying about what others think.

    Let today be the day you say “yes” where you need to say “yes” and “no” where you need to say “no” and let this be a part of how you grow. – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • making connections that can grow with time

    making connections that can grow with time

    Sand dollars form their unique patterns naturally and meticulously, just as we cultivate connections that evolve and strengthen over time. Each pattern emerges from the slow accumulation and layering of materials, reflecting the gradual development of our relationships. This slow crafting process in nature is similar to how we strengthen bonds through time, patience, and shared experiences.

    Intricate connections take time to form.

    Every stage adds depth and character.

    Their unique journeys create distinct, lasting impressions.

    …a lot like a desired relationship or connection with other people.

    These natural imprints on sand dollars are a beautiful metaphor for the detailed, often unnoticed, growth in our connections. There are so many little things that have to happen in order for patterns emerge through patient growth and yet, they are often overlooked.

    And like each distinct pattern on a sand dollar reflects the subtle, yet specific process of formation, the same is true of the process it takes in relations to cultivate stories, memories, and love in intertwined lives. May this comparison serve as a reminder that as the details take time to form, with careful, gentle attention, there are new ways that love can continue to grow with time.

    May there be space to gradually and deliberately nurture the bonds that enrich our lives.

    – Morgan Harper Nichols

  • And somehow, morning sunlight persists

    And somehow, morning sunlight persists

    there may be unknowns up ahead of you,

    and perhaps, this is also true:

    there will also be sunrises that continue to

    expand all around you.

    and what makes sunrises distinct

    from the full-light of day

    is that they carry traces of night with them

    and illuminating the path before you, anyway.

    yes, there are shadows out here.

    and you do not have to pretend they don’t exist

    before you start how flickers of morning-sunlight-possibility

    somehow, still persist.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • A Constellation of Stars

    A Constellation of Stars

    For all the things that don’t make sense in the moment,

    I hope one day you look back and find:

    little that felt scattered were actually a constellation of stars.

    I hope you find that small joys that seemed fleeting

    were bright moments that actually told a story

    of all the good things that shined on, anyway.

    I hope that for all the things that started but were never finished,

    that at least, for some of it,

    you can look back and see:

    the larger story continued unfolding.

    You continued becoming.

    Because there have been many things in life

    that have not gone according to plan,

    and there are still many unknowns

    as you face the journey ahead,

    nut perhaps, this remains true:

    you are still connected here in ways that matter:

    and through the grief, the questions, the laughter,

    there can still be beauty, depth, and meaning,

    amid all that scatters: a constellation of stars, after everything.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • Discovering New Ways to Be Present

    Discovering New Ways to Be Present

    Being present doesn’t only mean thinking quietly or sitting still for a long time. Sometimes, being present is being attuned in a conversation, being aware of a feeling, or being attentive in a particular setting.

    Even when the days are long, busy, crowded, you are still free to notice the small moments are still worth acknowledging. You are still allowed to observe and recognize the ways you are learning to be alive, right here. Let moments of attunement, awareness, and attentiveness be a reminder that you are being present, even in small ways. Let them be reminders that even when you notice others being present in different ways, the way you’ve learned to move through the actual space you’re in right now matters more than you know.

    So whether you feel like you’ve been able to find enough quiet time or not, it is never too late to allow yourself to explore new ways of being present. And you can do this by acknowledging the ways you’ve already been attentive in your life right here, recognizing that this is something you can continue to be build upon. Allow yourself to keep exploring new possibilities for engaging more fully right here where you are. – Morgan Harper Nichols

    I’ve just announced a new in-person writing workshop in the Metro Atlanta Georgia area (where I’m from!) on Saturday, July 26. Would love to see you there! Tickets now available

    There’s also a few more spots available for the free virtual writing workshops in July. Click here to RSVP

  • To Create is to Exhale

    To Create is to Exhale

    Even here, it matters to create. Not because everything is figured out, and not because you have to make a product or because you must be a “creative,” but because day by day, you have been taking so much in, and it matters to have space to let go. To create is to exhale. To create is to realize that after all the taking-in and the processing, you need to room to breathe.

    Create space

    Create conversation

    Create connection

    Create room for rest, where you need to

    Create a sense of motion, where you need to

    Create something worth sharing

    Create something worth keeping

    Sometimes, creating will take on the form of art, written words, or something tangible and also, many other times, it can take on the form of anything that reminds you: you don’t have to hold it all in. You are allowed to make room for letting go, even here, and no matter how small. To create is to exhale.

    – Morgan Harper Nichols

    This is an excerpt from this week’s series in the Storyteller app. The app is available on Apple and Android.

  • Creating space to think more clearly

    Creating space to think more clearly

    Whenever you start to feel like you need a space where you can just breathe and explore possibilities, it can be hard to find ways to do that intentionally. However, you can start with one small thing at a time, and watch it grow with time. Spider webs are examples of this. Spiders create beautiful, symmetric webs using their amazing silk produced by special body parts called spinnerets. Radial threads provide a sturdy framework, while spiral threads catch prey. The web’s design allows it to bend in the wind without breaking. These intentional connections create strength and flexibility. When we observe the intricacies of a spider’s web, it reminds us to bring the same thoughtfulness to our own lives. By building our spaces with purpose and care, strand by strand, we create environments that allow us to think more clearly and live more intentionally. Right here, you are free to grow, reflect, and create in a gentle, intentional way.

    -Morgan Harper Nichols

  • more noticing, less proving

    more noticing, less proving

    Fireflies are known for their blinking lights, with different species having distinct flashing patterns. Like fireflies flickering in different patterns, in different places, how you focus can be shaped by where you are.

    There are different ways you might be focusing:

    Broad Focus is when you are focusing on doing many different things (a few examples):
    -Being naturally curious and having diverse interests
    -Moving through many changes and transitions
    -Expanding your social circle
    -Helping others with various tasks

    Narrow Focus is when you are focusing more than ever on specific things (a few examples):
    -Taking a break after a very busy period in life
    -Focusing on fewer things to make life less complicated and more manageable
    -Reflecting to avoid feeling burnt out again after feeling overwhelmed in the past
    -Being deeply passionate about something and wanting to devote as much time and energy to it as possible

    So, the next time you start feeling pressure around the concept of focusing, take a moment to pause and start with a question. “Where am I?” Consider where you are. Is it a time for broad exploration, narrow concentration, or both? If both, in which areas of your life does each approach apply?

    May the fireflies remind you of the many ways of shining and focusing light.

    Here’s to more noticing, less proving. There will be a time for a focus that is more scattered and a time for a focus that is more concentrated. May the blinking path of fireflies remind you there’s room for both.

    – Morgan Harper Nichols