Hey Reader,

Before we get to the prompt for this week, I want to share a bit about something I'm in the process of building.

Over the past few years, and during this year's cohorts in particular, I've noticed two things a bit more clearly:

1. how the stories we hold often keep us frozen, unable to feel present for long in our day-to-day lives, and
2. how hard it can be to know what to do in the face of communal harm and societal struggle – and to actually do it.

Because of this, I'm creating a community space where we can explore our relationship with these stories, experiment with making changes in our lives, and support each other in moving into action.

A low-pressure space for those of us without a lot of time where we can question the narratives we're holding, identify the ones we want to move into our futures with, and experience solidarity together as we practice moving with solidarity in our own contexts.

Since this is still a few months off, I'm starting a waitlist for those who want to hear more about it and potentially join in 2025. If this sounds like something that can support you, click here to join the waitlist.

With that – here's the prompt for the week:

Have you ever walked into a room and something just felt off?

Or in a conversation, have you ever had an “ick” feeling, even though you couldn’t quite name what “ick” thing was said? Have you ever found yourself nervously tapping or fidgeting before you realized you were even nervous? Like you just wanted to move and get out of there?

Our bodies have many ways of experiencing the world – and of processing those experiences.

In our Western culture, we tend to prioritize the rational or more “concrete” ways of working with our experiences.

• What did I see happen?
• Did that thing really happen?
• Where is the hard proof or evidence?
• How does that evidence point to a root cause?
• What ideas do I have that connect to this experience?

All of this is good – but it’s only part of how we know things.

Building on a large body of research regarding trauma and somatics, trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem offers us a practical framework, which he refers to as VIMBASI, for checking in with the various other ways our body experiences the world.

Here’s how it works:

VIMBASI

As you read each component of VIMBASI below, pause and use its corresponding question to check in with yourself in this current moment.

(There's a practice guide linked in today's Resources section that can help with this!)

Note: it can be difficult to identify some of these within ourselves, especially without practice. It might feel like a whole new language, or bring up experiences of “drawing a blank,” hesitation, defensiveness, or pushback. If this does occur, gently check in with yourself and approach that response with curiosity.

This framework can be used at any time and is especially helpful during moments of heightened levels of stress, anxiety, or when you just “need a second” to relax and take a breath.

I recommend writing these down and keeping them close to you. At some point this week, try checking in with yourself using these questions and see what emerges.

❓ Questions

1. Which of these seven VIMBASI components seem most unfamiliar to you? Why do you think that is? What can you do this week to become more acquainted with it?
2. What messages did you receive growing up about trusting your body? How have those messages impacted your relationship with your "gut instinct" and/or decision-masking?

🧰 Resources

• ​VIMBASI Practice Guide (activity)
• ​My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem (book)
• ​Monsters in Love by Resmaa Menakem (book)

Hope all is well-enough with you,

Andrew IG: @andrewglang​

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