The First Cut Is the Deepest
I think a young heart takes the longest to heal. Like us, baby snakes are more dangerous because they don’t know how to control their venom.
On my retreat over the weekend, I wrote down the name of every person who still makes me feel anguish. It felt like a list carved into a marble slab at a war memorial.
I could feel waves of love and pain flowing through me at the thought of each person. I’ve spent half of my life in the echos of heartbreak, wounds as wide as a river flowing through my psyche.
I think a young heart takes the longest to heal. Like us, baby snakes are more dangerous because they don’t know how to control their venom.
It was easiest to share all of myself unfiltered with my earliest friends and lovers. But after the first crushing blows I never completely 100% trusted myself again.
As Cat Stevens so wisely said, “The first cut is the deepest.”
This weekend while throwing rocks into the water swirling at the convergence of the James and Tye Rivers, I realized it’s all been one big lifelong misunderstanding.
Because I have always been loved.
I was simply in the blind spot of the people who hurt me. And of course, I have hurt others. They were in my blind spot, too.
The grief came through like a dam cracking open. I’ve swung that axe a thousand times but this swing broke through. I cried longer and harder than I’d cried in a long time. It was like flushing poison out of a wound.
By the time the tears were gone, only love was left. The love I’d felt for those people, and the love they’d felt for me. Even if we’re not in each other’s lives anymore.
I felt it the next few days…that there’s so much love waiting to come in, lines around the block, a thousand miles long. I just have to keep the doors open.
Unsolicited advice is criticism,
—ancient Alanon proverb.
Curious about going further with your writing journey? Book a free 20-minute discovery call with me!
“As always, Valley provides an atmosphere of safety to those of us have stories to tell. In my years of writing with her, I have learned to love and forgive myself, the messes I have made and the love I receive with an open heart. Thank you, Valley, who shares herself and teaches us how to be.” —Chaya
Sacred Circle
Valley's Studio In-Person, Henrico, VA
Friday, April 26
1-4 pm
Max: 8 participants
$75
Ritual is a way of transforming the everyday stories of our lives into magic and meaning. We ignite our personal power in spaces free from judgment and critique as we allow our vulnerable selves to emerge and shine.
Join me in my studio for three hours of writing, Reiki, guided meditation, and other healing modalities as we nourish our souls and honor both our darkness and our light.
No prior writing experience is needed; all are welcome. Couches, blankets, and chairs will be available for your space in the circle.
Writing to Heal for Therapists
Sat, May 4, 2024
10 AM – 4 PM EST
Valley's Writing Studio, Richmond, VA
$245
In this special one-day workshop, we will learn journaling techniques and prompts especially designed for therapists to promote healing and wholeness for themselves and their clients. Starting with the scientific psychological, emotional, and biological benefits of writing and reframing our narratives, we will explore a range of practices from simple free-writing techniques to identifying our archetypes on the hero's journey.
Body Language
Friday, May 24
10 AM - 4 PM EST
Valley’s Studio
$125
An infinite supply of stories are written into our bodies. The parenthesis between our birth and our death, our bodies are rich with miracles, betrayals, pleasures, pains, traumas, and triumphs. There are stories buried in our bones, weaving together the cracks in our broken hearts, in the origin stories and the mythologies of our lives.
In this intimate one-day workshop, we will explore body image, the beauty industry, aging, health, healing, the relationship between the physical and the divine, and more. Guided meditation, the practice of embodiment, and exploration of our chakra centers will provide both prompts and support on our writing journey.
Art: Valley's Curves by Susan Singer
Writing Ritual
Saturday, June 15
10 AM - 4 PM EST
Valley’s Studio
$125
Self-care is an act of holy rebellion. In a hyper-busy world focused on productivity, output, and profit, creating sacred space for ourselves enables us to listen to the quiet voice within. When we are in touch with our intuition, we are in touch with the divine. When we are in touch with the divine, we are able to access inspiration and resources that were not present before.
Join me for an afternoon of ritual and writing, connection, and deep internal exploration. Learn to care for yourself so beautifully that you have the energy and reserves to care for others.
What are Valley’s students saying?
“What a divine, intuitively-led workshop; thank you Valley!” —Kate
“Thank you for such an amazing, well-needed and healing four days. The writing prompts and connection and feedback were all gratefully received, the food was perfect, and the extra activities we did were so much fun!”—Anna
“A safe loving space with insightful reflection and authentic celebration of the unique writer in all of us!” —Erica
“Valley is absolutely wonderful. This was my first experience & the entire experience helped me so much. Very inspiring!” —Susan
“Valley has yet again provided a safe place to write with inspiring and thoughtful feedback. Such a gift she has and shares!” —Marty
“Always the best of hours! I am so grateful for the time given and writing shared and the wonder of this, Valley.” —Mary Jo
“Valley offers sensitive feedback to writers who come to her classes, always positive and supportive, whether you have been writing all your life or are just starting to explore this path to self-knowledge.”—Chaya
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