Habits Quote by Terry Tempest Williams
““Flocks of magpies have descended on our yard. I cannot sleep for all their raucous behavior. Perched on weathered fences, their green-black tales, long as rulers, wave up and down, reprimanding me for all I have not done. I have done nothing for weeks. I have no work. I don't want to see anyone much less talk. All I want to do is sleep. Monday, I hit rock-bottom, different from bedrock, which is solid, expansive, full of light and originality. Rock-bottom is the bottom of the rock, the underbelly that rarely gets turned over; but when it does, I am the spider that scurries from daylight to find another place to hide. Today I feel stronger, learning to live with the natural cycles of a day and to not expect so much from myself. As women, we hold the moon in our bellies. It is too much to ask to operate on full-moon energy three hundred and sixty-five days a year. I am in a crescent phase. And the energy we expend emotionally belongs to the hidden side of the moon…””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Moon Phases and Mental Health”, 2018
The passage describes a low point, likened to rock-bottom, and a gradual recovery by accepting natural cycles and limited energy, especially for women.
In simple terms: Accept limits and natural cycles to recover from low points.
Key Takeaway
Embrace cycles and set realistic expectations.
Themes
self‑care
mental health
acceptance
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
personal
inspirational
When to use this quote
- recovering from burnout
- creative work
- daily self‑care routines
Key Concepts
Resilience
gender expectations
energy cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you honor your personal cycles?
- What support helps during low periods?
A Different Perspective
Recovery may be slow and require external support.
