Poeaxtry's Poetry Prism

Spell. Stone. & Sparks that Ignite Change

Tag: self-care

  • Not Escaping—Just Living: Why Hiking Isn’t About Running Away

    Not Escaping—Just Living: Why Hiking Isn’t About Running Away

    Hiking journal prompt : What are you running away from out here?

    There’s something about stepping onto a trail that feels like coming home. The air changes. The noise quiets. The mind unclenches. Hiking, for me, isn’t about escaping. And it’s about belonging somewhere the rest of the world seems to have forgotten. When I head into the woods, I’m not running from life; I’m walking straight into it. Every sound, every smell, every touch of sunlight through the trees reminds me what it means to be here.

    The Misunderstood Prompt

    I’ve seen the prompt a dozen times:

    “What are you running away from?”

    And every time, I roll my eyes.

    Because I’m not running.

    I’m walking and it is done intentionally, deliberately into something better.

    People seem to think hiking or wandering into the woods must be about escape. About running from stress, pain, or responsibility. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of us aren’t escaping; we’re returning.

    Hiking as Connection, Not Escape

    Nature has never been about avoidance for me. It’s about connection. It’s where I can breathe air that doesn’t taste like electricity and exhaust. It’s where I can hear my thoughts echo off canyon walls instead of drowning in noise. It’s where I process. And not because I’m hiding, but because I can.

    Why I Hike

    There’s something about standing at the base of a waterfall, water roaring louder than any voice in your head, that reminds you how small and infinite you are all at once.

    Or the way a rock formation curves like Earth sculpted itself out of curiosity.

    The clear streams, the swimming holes nobody’s touched but the wind, the silence that hums with life. It all of it feels like beauty that demands presence, not avoidance.

    The Joy of Simplicity

    And you know what else? It’s inexpensive joy.

    It doesn’t always require subscriptions, equipment, or luxury.

    It typically asks only for time and attention: two things society has taught us to ration like currency.

    We live in a world that keeps us glued to screens, boxed inside jobs that drain more than they fill. Hiking is rebellion in motion. It’s choosing to step out of that cycle. And not to run from it, but to remember what living actually feels like.

    Not Running Away—Running With It

    So no, I’m not trying to escape anything.

    I’m not running from the world.

    I’m running with it.

    Every step on a trail, every rock I turn over, every scent of pine or honeysuckle that stops me in my tracks, is a reminder that I belong here. That we all do.

    So next time you see someone wandering deep into the trees, don’t assume they’re lost or running away. Maybe they just know something you’ve forgotten:

    The wilderness doesn’t demand reasons.

    It only asks that you show up.

    Walking beside memory

    It’s also something that connects me deeply to my mother. Hiking was something we both loved, together and apart. Some of my favorite memories are of us out on trails, discovering wildflowers, or stopping just to listen to birds we couldn’t name. Now that she’s gone, hiking has become something sacred. It’s how I reach for her when I can’t call her. It’s how I feel closest to her… on those quiet trails where the world slows down enough for me to remember her laughter, her patience, and the way she always pointed out the smallest, most beautiful things I might have missed.

    Hiking isn’t about distance, it’s about depth.

    It’s not an act of escape; it’s an act of return. Out there, I remember who I am and where I came from. I find my mother in the wind, my peace in the rivers, and my purpose in the rhythm of my own steps. So no, I’m not running away. I’m finding my way home, over and over again.

    Portfolio links Amazon Goodreads

  • Joyful Actions That Promote Change

    Joyful Actions That Promote Change

    Creating meaningful change can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start, but it doesn’t have to be. Change is built through consistent, joyful actions. These are small steps that add up to a bigger impact over time. In this guide, you’ll learn ways to make a difference weekly, monthly, and bimonthly. Each action is explained with practical examples, so no matter your experience or resources, you can start contributing immediately. At the end, you can download 3 full checklists and a bonus checklist for easy reference.

    One of the easiest ways to begin creating an impact is by taking small, weekly actions that are actionable and meaningful. We also added joy to the mix to give a reward to ourselves for becoming the change. For instance, sending a supportive message or email to a minority-led organization might seem simple, but it can make a real difference. Even a brief note like “Hi, I just wanted to thank you for your work; it inspires me…” can boost morale and let these organizations know that their efforts are seen and appreciated.

    Using or purchasing from minority-owned businesses is another small but powerful action. By intentionally supporting products or services from these businesses, you’re directly contributing to economic empowerment. You can find minority-owned businesses through directories like Buy Black, Official Black Wall Street, or even local listings. Even one small purchase counts.

    Learning one new fact about minority histories or cultures each week expands your understanding and counters misinformation. Things like reading an article, watching a short video, or listening to a podcast, then sharing what you learned with a friend. Over time, these small learnings compound into a deeper awareness that influences your daily choices and conversations.

    Calling out or politely correcting biased language or assumptions is another way to take weekly action. It doesn’t need to be confrontational; calmly explaining why a comment is harmful helps educate those around you and encourages accountability. Similarly, sharing a verified minority achievement or resource with someone… like a news story, a blog post, or a social media feature can help amplify important voices and keep these accomplishments visible.

    Self-care also counts as an action. Taking time for yourself by going for a hike, cooking a favorite meal, doing a face mask, getting your nails done, reading a book, or listening to uplifting music can keep you grounded and energized for advocacy. You simply signing an online petition or joining a letter campaign are other ways to use your voice and influence policy. Finally, expressing gratitude publicly or privately to minority changemakers reinforces positive recognition and strengthens community bonds.

    Monthly actions give you a chance to take slightly bigger steps that still fit within a manageable schedule. Participating in a virtual or local minority-supporting event, like a webinar, a virtual or local open mic, a lecture, or a cultural celebration. These expose you to new perspectives and help you connect with the work being done. Things like trying one new minority cultural experience: cooking a traditional dish, exploring music, or viewing art, can be a joyful way to learn and share culture, either with friends or online communities.

    Self-paced online workshops on allyship or cultural understanding are perfect for deeper learning. You can take them on your own schedule, allowing you to reflect and use what you learn at your own pace. Volunteering remotely for advocacy or awareness tasks, such as moderating online discussions, sharing resources, or helping campaigns These let you contribute meaningfully without needing to attend in person.

    By documenting and celebrating a minority achievements by writing a short post, vlogging, or highlighting someone on social media. You spread positivity and recognition. Sending letters or emails to officials advocating for inclusive policies is another actionable step, giving your voice weight in shaping decisions. When you highlight a minority-owned business or creator in your network it increases visibility and supports economic empowerment. Lastly, reflecting on and sharing a story or resource related to minority rights, even in casual conversation or online posts, expands understanding and encourages others to engage.

    Bi-monthly actions involve taking on larger, more flexible commitments that can still be done by anyone. Supporting or amplifying existing minority-led projects or campaigns is one way to have a broader impact. This could mean sharing updates online, signing up for notifications, or contributing in small ways. Promoting scholarship, grant, or resource programs created by minority leaders, expands opportunities for others and can be done digitally.

    When you advocate for systemic change through remote actions, like policy emails or participating in online, you allow anyone a voice in shaping outcomes. Volunteering flexibly for advocacy by things like resource sharing, digital organization, or communications allows you to make an impact when you can. Celebrating minority achievements in your community, either publicly or online, reinforces visibility and encouragement.

    If you can create optional joyful projects to amplify minority voices you have another avenue. You can contribute creatively, write, draw, record, or otherwise produce something meaningful. Implementing a new supportive habit, like sharing resources, mentoring via email, or spotlighting stories, builds consistent impact. Finally, joining or supporting digital coalitions or advocacy groups allows participation in campaigns, discussions, and advocacy initiatives. This connects you to larger networks.

    Occasionally, you might want to take on high-impact actions. This could be going to a protest or rally, signing major petitions, or participating in legislative campaigns. These give your voice significant weight. You may want to call or write officials about urgent minority issues which directly engages policy influence. You may help a family member or friend understand and support minority causes or spread awareness in your immediate community. You may decide to go no-contact with harmful individuals or companies, donate to high-impact minority-led organizations, organize awareness events, or volunteer in person. These all can be transformative actions, and are optional but powerful ways to amplify your impact.

    Change is built through consistent, joyful actions that anyone can take. By following this guide, incorporating weekly, monthly, and bi-monthly steps, and exploring the Bonus Round opportunities, you can make a meaningful difference in supporting minority communities. Start small, celebrate progress, and remember that your actions whether big or small all add up.

    Below are the checklist images to view you can download them for free from my gumroad and Payhip as well.

    Links

    Weekly action list
    Weekly action list
    Monthly action list
    Monthly action list
    Bi monthly action list
    Bimonthly action list
    Bonus actions list
    Bonus actions
  • How I Practice Self-Care: Waterfalls, Hikes, and Witchy Magic

    How I Practice Self-Care: Waterfalls, Hikes, and Witchy Magic

    How do you practice self-care?

    Self-care isn’t a checklist

    For me it’s a patchwork of moments stitched together with intention and grit.

    Sometimes it’s chasing waterfalls, hiking until my lungs burn and my mind quiets. Other times it’s sitting still with dirt under my fingers. I dig out rocks. I feel the pulse of the earth in my hands. The grounding is real.

    I reward myself with little treats. These treats are not just food but include coffee. Sometimes, I get a new stone for my collection. I might even buy something that helps my work move forward. It’s the small acts that remind me I’m worth the care.

    Marijuana helps soften the sharp edges when life presses too hard. It’s part of the ritual, a moment to breathe deeper and slow down.

    Face masks sneak in when I want to slow the world for a bit. They give my skin and spirit a break, sometimes I even get a manicure or pedicure. Thanks Stink!

    Kayaking isn’t just exercise. It’s a ways I reclaim my body. I feel strong and say, “I am here, I am whole.” Losing weight is part of that journey because I want it to be.

    My kitty boys? Those cuddles are medicine. So is time with my dog, the quiet companionship and sunlit walks keep me tethered.

    Reading fills my mind with stories. These feed my soul. Spells, rituals, crystals, and oils wrap around me like armor. They also serve as a healing balm.

    This isn’t neat or perfect. It’s my survival, my love letter to myself messy, real, and sacred.

  • Rock House Trail Hocking Hills Morning Hike After Night Shift

    Rock House Trail Hocking Hills Morning Hike After Night Shift

    Saturday Morning | Hocking Hills, OH

    Looking down before you descend the stairs to Rock house & Natural Bridge

    I clocked out at 6 a.m. sharp. Another twelve-hour overnight at the nursing home. That kind of quiet that isn’t restful, just constant. Oxygen machines humming low, the soft shuffle of slippers down the hall, someone crying quietly two doors down. You carry it home in your bones.

    But this morning was different.

    I had Saturday night off. That’s rare for me but, I’d gotten my shift covered to go to the No Kings protest. Before that, though, I needed to move. Shake off the weight.

    So I drove 35 minutes home, changed, got Luna ready, and hit the road again. For an hour and eleven minute drive to Hocking Hills. I played Stevie Nicks and music from that era the whole way. I tapped my fingers to the beat on the steering wheel. I left the windows down and let the wind and exhaustion fill the silence.

    The Trail

    Warning sign at rock house to not leave trails beacuse of dangerous cliffs.

    We hit the Rock House Trail around 8 a.m. The trail is only 0.8 miles one way, but the drop is steep. Narrow paths. Stone stairs. Roots like ropes knotted across the dirt. Luna walked ahead, tail high, tuned in. I let her lead. I wasn’t in a hurry to return to anything.

    The start of the trail at Rock house is so misleading ft trees and a level path

    Then the cave appeared.

    Rock House.

    A cavern carved into sandstone long, tall, ancient. 200 feet across, 25 feet high, with arched window-like openings that let light in sideways, soft and slow. Inside, everything goes still. You don’t just walk into the cave, you arrive. You become part of its silence.

    PIGEONS!

    Except for the pigeons.

    A few families live there now. You can hear them cooing, echoing from inside the cave and outside the walls, like voices trapped in stone. It was surreal. Luna didn’t bark. She didn’t pull. She just stood and listened. So did I. You have to.

    There are ovens carved into the walls, like something out of another life. Maybe people baked bread there. Maybe they hid. Maybe they prayed. This place has always belonged to those who needed it. For a few minutes, that included me.

    One massive Rock Wall at Rock house Hocking Hills,ohio

    We took the rim trail up and out. It was steeper, louder, full of light—but I welcomed it. Something in me was lighter too.

    Timber a down tree next tot the path

    One last stop before home: donuts.

    There’s a new place beside the Hocking Hills Diner everyone’s been hyping for their maple bacon donuts. Of course, they were already sold out.

    The lady who owns the donut place told me to call ahead next time. She’d put some back just for me because I live an hour and eleven minutes away.

    So I got a s’mores donut and a Buckeyes donut instead. I sat in the car with my boots still muddy. Luna curled beside me. I ate them like they were the thing I came for all along.

    And maybe they were.

    What actually happened next:

    I missed the No Kings protest. My Lexapro and Wellbutrin look the same, and I ended up taking two Wellbutrin and no Lexapro by mistake. I stayed in bed all Saturday and Sunday. I called off work and slept until Monday. Then I went back to my shift.

    Sometimes plans shift without warning. Sometimes the body demands its own kind of protest.

    I hope you all are enjoying our many trips.

    links Conkles Hollow Rim Permit only- Hocking Hills

  • When Do I Feel the Most Radiant?

    When Do I Feel the Most Radiant?

    Water

    There’s something about the water that makes me feel alive. I could be kayaking over a calm lake or swimming in the cool depths. Either way my skin tingles and my spirit lights up. Being in natural bodies of water strips away noise and lets me simply be radiant and free.

    Trees

    I feel that same glow in the trees. Sunlight filters through leaves. I breathe the forest air deep into my lungs. The mountains bring another kind of light. This light comes with each step on the trail. Sweat on my shirt and the ache of muscles pushing forward contribute to it.

    Camping

    The campsite, the crackling fire calling to something wild in me. Setting up the tent just right brings a quiet satisfaction, a small victory no matter how long it takes. When the day settles into night, holding a cup of hot tea and writing but, on my phone. Such a sacred moment. Here my thoughts shine brightest.

    These are the places and moments where I let my glow be seen. It’s not always sunshine and sparkle. Often, it’s the wildness of sweat and dirt. Sometimes, it’s the warmth of a fire. Other times, it’s the quiet of ink (digital ink) and tea. This is where I feel radiant, whole, and actually me.

    Links Portfolio Contact/Questions/Concerns

  • Showing Up Even When Nothing Feels Notable

    Showing Up Even When Nothing Feels Notable

    What notable things happened today?

    Today, I went to work.


    I posted like I had intended. I showed up.
    But if you ask me, what was notable?
    Honestly, nothing leaps out.

    Some days feel like that,


    when you do all the things, but nothing stands out as extraordinary.
    No big wins. No moments that make you want to shout.
    Just the steady grind.
    The invisible effort that keeps you moving towards a goal.

    It’s easy to overlook these days.
    To think they don’t matter.
    But showing up counts. Putting one foot in front of the other is its own victory.
    I know sometimes these days lead to you trying to convince yourself it isn’t worth it. It is still worth it, just so we both don’t forget.

    Highlight Reels and Real Life

    Notice the spelling of reel vs real?

    Not every day needs to be a highlight reel.
    Sometimes, the quiet persistence of survival, of continuing despite the weight of it all, is enough. Real life isn’t what you see all over the internet as a whole, typically.
    Let’s change that together.

    Real Work

    That’s the real work not the reel work.
    The unseen courage. The days you can’t get out because indies start smaller, if not solo, typically.
    You are running a DAMN machine! YOU GO!
    The strength is in just being you when the world expects fake polished shit.

    So today isn’t notable on paper, but it’s mine and yours.
    That matters.

    links Book Face

    If this work feeds your fancy, steadies you, teaches you something, simply makes you feel less alone, or what have you. You can support Poeaxtry & the Prism directly. Donations help with things like tools to create, bartering, free community collaborations, free publishing/ formatting/ listing help, and more survive. Donations also help the community work move forward. CashApp, PayPal, Ko-Fi, and Buy Me a Coffee. Are the only active donation options currently. Choose whatever is easiest and most aligned for you.

  • “Lose You” Trans Poetry on Loss, Healing, and Moving Forward

    “Lose You” Trans Poetry on Loss, Healing, and Moving Forward

    “Lose You”

    Original Poem by: Axton N.O. Mitchell

    They didn’t lose you, 
    they left you, and that’s 
    a fact of life you will have to learn 
    to sit with multiple times over your years.

    I am sure you will cry plenty of tears,
    for all the time lost and loyalties 
    left crossed. Pick yourself up 
    and dust your knees back off. 
    There will always be more people 
    to see.

    🖤I’d love your honest take on this piece.
    Links