​Reader -
​

It’s been another long week.

It was a long hard Spring, and it's already been a long year... or five, hah.

There's smoke from wildfires (due to long term mismanagement of land) making outdoor work a little more challenging than it already is in 90 degree humid weather... and there are creeks trickling with fresh cool water, bird songs in the morning, and bright beautiful flowers in our gardens.

This is an extremely honest email about the dichotomy of how I feel right now.

At the same time I feel both -

• Exhausted by the daily grind within an incomprehensibly insane culture bent on destroying the planet we depend on for life...

And

• Exhilarated by the opportunity of being alive as a member of the human species in these challenging times.

We were built for this.

For thousands of years, we have had the stamina, desire and ingenuity to survive - through long journeys on foot, carrying our few belongings, hunting and gathering our food, trading with other tribes, tending the land, and exploring many places on this beautiful planet.

Time and time again, we were threatened by predators, changing climates, and wild encounters with the unknown - and we found our way, together.

In fact, we not only survived, we thrived. We made jewelry and art, shared stories and songs, sat on mountain tops just to enjoy the view, and built beautiful things together.

Tyler and I have been watching BBC’s NOVA series called HUMAN and it’s just amazing.

I am finding so much strength, resilience and wisdom in my body.

I am enjoying summer dresses, earrings, long nails, and deeper dreams again.

The human body, mind and soul is so unique, capable and adaptable.

And, we have our limits.

We can't do it all, and we can't push hard for longer than a season.

Lately I have been resting a wee bit more (even with so much on my "to do" list), taking slower walks, laying down in the forest to gaze up at the crowns of the trees kissing each other in the warm wind... letting the hot, sultry season of summer guide me.

I’ve also been reminded that each small, slow step toward a goal really adds up. Eventually you're at the top of the mountain, the end of a project, or the resolution of a long dream.

And I have been saying prayers of gratitude.

For my body, for my business, for the many blessings that hold me.

And for you - each of the members of my local community, the readers of my newsletter, the individuals who have joined my programs, the clients who support my crew and income, and the wider web of humans who are on a mission to make a difference.

We all matter so much.

And when times feel really hard I think we just need to hear that.

And now I’m crying haha. That’s how I know I need to send this.

But it’s really really important we remember our humanity at this point in history.

We will look back someday and never regret the choice to listen to our bodies, put down the screens, take a longer walk, read a book, gaze at the sky… witness the wildfire smoke alongside the butterflies and birdsong…

We are sitting squarely within a polycrisis of our times.

Beauty, rest, connection and dreaming are even more important now than ever (and these things were always important, according to our ancestors).

Earth is my sanctuary, and yes, much restoration and re-membering is needed.

So the planting will continue in the fall, but for now, it’s safe to rest, dream and connect.

Tell me how you are feeling this summer? (hit reply)

Stay wild and stay human,

Kendra

​Join me and Tyler Yenna on this adventure of reclaiming 12 vital skills we’re losing to technology.

We are reading the book Human Being by Graham Lee, and lingering on 1 chapter/skill every 2 weeks, for next 6 months (July-Dec).

Over 20 friends have already joined the “club” and we are so excited about it. Will you too?

Please share this email with your friends, encourage them to get the book. The chapters are filled with fun stories, history and important information about what’s happening to our brains and bodies in these times. And there’s a few practical “try this” activities at the end of each one.

We will be in touch with a special email (and maybe some audio) when we start practicing each skill, or get excited about the chapter, and you’ll be able to reply and chat with us. We might even host a few live discussion. Sign up on this link to get those emails from me and Tyler. ​

I just can’t express enough how important I know this is right now.

Go Team Human <3

Written by a human being - Kendra Marie Hoffman

“Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. for those few months, you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. you can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. summer just opens the door and lets you out.” ― Deb Caletti, Honey, Baby, Sweetheart

Looking for my longer, more reflective writing?

Diver deeper in my Substack ​Visit The Sensitive Edge: a writing project where we explore the ecotones between soil, systems, and soul - uncovering the wisdom found in our wounds and wildness.