My inner-child wants me to reclaim her. For the last six months she’s been trying to break-free from a time-out I subconsciously imposed. I guess I was keeping her hidden to protect her sensitive little spirit, and lost track of the years. But with my inner-child out of sight and out of mind, I was simply going through the motions of living. And without that playful, vulnerable and fearless little dreamer by my side, my life’s choices became shaped by feelings of lack, past hurts and rejection.

Personally, I want more social proximity and hugs, damnit! I want more intimate gatherings in cozy spaces with good conversations. More time in dimly lit lounges with a live DJ so I can “leave it on the dance floor” and exit a hot, sweaty mess. I want more Afro-Caribbean dance classes with live drummers and to wind my hips a bit differently in pole dance classes that transport me back to my days as an aerial artist. And then I wanna sit in a crowded Brooklyn coffee shop; banging out ideas on my laptop while the energy of other people’s creativity pulses around me. I want more opportunities to travel to Spanish-speaking countries to explore, meet new people, and continue improving my Spanish-speaking abilities. I miss all these strong energy zones fueled by dreams, inspiration, connection, and self-expression.