Hi lovelies,
Ah, September! Hello. 🙂
This time, a year ago, I had just landed back in the U.S. after finishing my two-year graduate program in London. With no job, very little money, and an overwhelmed nervous system, I’m incredibly grateful for my community of family and friends who held me and my partner those first shaky months.
I dubbed the next year, “My Year of Planting Seeds”, and then I did exactly that: I wrote emails and taught workshops and renewed connections and made new ones. A year later, I’m excitedly collecting my first harvest!
In the next few weeks, I will be:
- Starting as a faculty member of The Actors Conservatory. I am teaching Professional Orientation, a class preparing students to build resilient, nourishing creative lives post-graduation.
- Teaching Beginning Acting (also at TAC).
- Teaching a series on Frantic Assembly Devising at Tigard High School.
- Developing a webinar on Why Rest Feels Scary: Or, What Actors Need to Know About Their Nervous System.
Scribbled in a corner of my whiteboard is this little reminder: “It’s going to feel uncomfortable, fractured, for at least a year, and more like 3 (2026, baby!).”
I often glanced up at this note when I felt like the career explosion I wanted post-graduate school wasn’t happening. When my cohort mates accepted positions as the Head of Acting at famous schools in London, performed in starring roles on Hulu, and taught at prestigious institutions, I looked up at my little reminder. I made space for my discomfort as best I could, and when I couldn’t, I squeezed pillows and cried about it and asked for hugs and indulged in a tantrum or two. Listen – I’m not above a good pity party. 😉
It’s not that I expect something magical to happen in 2026. But this note is a reminder that roots, community, and stability take time. And living in a culture of urgency and instant gratification makes it really difficult to remember, as my partner says, that things take the time they take.
This year has been wildly tumultuous, on a number of different levels. It has been deeply painful, frustrating — and, profoundly revealing. I’ve been humbled, and humbled again, and then again. I’ve also felt my heart warm inside my chest, in moments when I realize I’ve stood my ground and taken up space in ways I couldn’t even fathom three years ago.
So. Seeds take time to grow. And they never quite grow the way you expect.
Such as: I started this email list with 2 people on it. Now there’s 42 of you! And what an incredible bunch you are — folks on both coasts and across the pond, actors, educators, old friends, new acquaintances, colleagues, some with many years of experience, some with just a few.
I’m so grateful for all of you. Thanks for listening to my rants, even if you only read part of them, or just glanced at the title. Thanks for those of you who RESPONDED (which I’m always shocked and so grateful for!! 😍), and shared your wisdom so that we could all benefit. Thanks for those of you who courageously asked questions and let me have a go at a response.
One day at a time, our roots grow deeper, our leaves grow wider, and we figure this shit out a little better. And thank the gods we don’t have to do it alone.
My loves – how are you? What does September signify for you?
>> What adventures are you initiating?
>> What nests are you building?
>> Where are you seeking inspiration?
Respond to this email and I’ll write you back. <3
With love,
Caitlin xx
P.S. Every month I offer two free coaching sessions. To claim one, email me at ca***************@gm***.com. 🙂
***************************
Would you like to keep getting updates from me? Do you want to know when and where I’m offering workshops and classes? I send call-and-response email newsletters whenever I have the capacity to do so. It’s called “Rest & Love in Creative Living,” and you can join here.