August always feels like a threshold month—summer’s warmth still wrapping us in its glow, but with a quiet whisper that change is near. Maybe it’s the back-to-school energy in the air, or the way sunsets seem a little earlier each evening.
The other day I came across these words from Audre Lorde:
“I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.”
Silence can feel safer, but it can also shrink us. Speaking out is a declaration: I believe my perspective matters.
Over the years, family and friends have called me “brutally honest.” I suppose a bit of privilege has played a role in that—being a white, cisgender woman in America, fortified by a long line of strong Italian women, certainly didn’t hurt.
Have there been times when I felt the enormity of a situation and couldn’t say what needed to be said? Absofuckinglutely. Guilt or shame has a way of shutting things down—emotionally, mentally. It becomes a silent wall between me and the world. But when we do speak, we find something else entirely: connection, recognition, the quiet relief of being seen.
When it comes to decisions I’ve made or things I’m not proud of, that’s the hardest to say out loud. That’s when I turn to my tried and true: journal writing.
It’s where I lay things down. It’s where I figure out the unfigureoutable :) It’s where I give form to the words I don’t have yet.
See below for this month's writing prompt.
When you write bravely, you build the muscle to speak bravely. And if you are ready to write bravely with me, we still have some spots available: https://adinasilvestri.com/writing-bravely/
Featured Articles
When Journaling Becomes a Mirror: How Expressive Writing and Writing Bravely Transform Your Practice
When Journaling Becomes a Mirror—Not Just a Record
I’ve been writing in my “diary” since I was a little kid. Back then, it was a running commentary—what happened at school, what my friends said, what boys I liked (or didn’t). It was a safe ritual, the place I unloaded my day before turning out the light.
Over time, my journaling evolved from a simple log of events to something deeper—an exploration of emotions, patterns, and truths I might not have otherwise noticed.
Still, when I’m in the mood to distract myself, that old diary format comes back full force. The difference now is that I can see it for what it is. Awareness gives me a choice: stay in the surface story, or step into the mirror of the page and really see what’s there. [cont...]
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
Writing Bravely Starts August 19
August 19 - September 23 | Tuesdays | 6 p.m. EST / 4 p.m. PST A live 6-week writing experience
Writing Bravely is a guided, six-week expressive writing experience created for those navigating pivotal life transitions, trauma recovery, or a simple longing to reconnect with their inner voice. These 90-minute weekly sessions are held live on Zoom and are centered around a unique theme each week.
Each week, you’ll receive:
Guided prompts designed to help you explore your memories, traumas, and dreams
Curated audio or video (think Emily Dickinson meets NPR Tiny Desk)
A supportive space to reflect, write, and connect in community
This program is intentionally created for all levels. NO prior writing experience is necessary. You’ll learn how expressive writing can become a tool for emotional release, resilience, and growth.
Themes we explore include:
Reclaiming your voice from guilt, shame, and the inner critic
The protective role of pain—and how to move through it
The masks we wear (and what happens when we take them off)
Healing from narcissistic relationships
Naming and navigating loneliness
Building a resilience mindset
Between sessions, we’ll stay connected through a private Substack space for continued inspiration, reflection, and integration.
I can’t wait to guide you through an IFS-Focused Hypnotherapy journey supported by live sound healing. This is a space to meet your inner parts with curiosity, release stuck protective energy, and rest deeply into sound.
Come join us if you feel ready for emotional healing, deep rest, and reconnection.
Writing Bravely: Autumn Unfolding - September 17 at 6:30pm
Join us for Writing Bravely: Autumn Unfolding, a cozy 90-minute pop-up workshop blending expressive writing, gentle somatic practices, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)-inspired prompts. Whether you're processing something tender or simply craving creative connection, this space is for you.We’ll gather in community with warm fall treats, refreshing mocktails, grounding practices, and guided writing prompts to support reflection, release, and reconnection. No writing experience needed—just bring a journal and your brave, curious self.Spots are limited—reserve yours today!
One small change: I’ll be switching from monthly to weekly emails. Rather than cramming everything into one long update, I’d rather send shorter, more focused notes that your (and my) nervous system can actually absorb. More steady touchpoints, less overwhelm :) Hi friend, Take a moment and ask yourself, “How does my anger materialize? Does it show up in small ways like… 😠 Snapping at coworkers?😖 Unfounded frustration at your partner?😞 Emotional shutdown because you’re just too overwhelmed?...
October Newsletter No Escape Hatch: How I Face What’s Still Alive Inside Me Hi friends~ Since returning home from my Somatic IFS Step 1 training, people keep asking me, “How was it?” It’s a simple question—but the answer isn’t. In therapy trainings, we’re not passive learners. We don’t sit at the edge of the work. We become the work. We step into the client role and meet whatever’s ready to surface. And what surfaced for me? Memories. The ones I thought I’d already “dealt with.”The ones I’m...
Your Fall Reset Fall Reset + a Touch of Magic 🌀 Hypno/Soundbath + Waterfront Retreat Somatic IFS retreat. Walking the labyrinth Hi friends~ As the season shifts, it’s a powerful time to pause, reflect, and realign. This fall, I’ve been leaning into deeper practices that support nervous system healing and heart-centered connection, both personally and professionally. Just returned from a beautiful somatic IFS retreat. Deep work, sacred space, and soul-centered community (photo above 💫) Feeling...
