Kyla Basher Creative

I recently read an article about “emotionally unavailable” people. This term has been ringing in my ears for the past couple of weeks and has also become a temporary mantra of sorts. I suppose each of these words can strike a cord that leaves a few of us a bit cautious. “Emotional” and “Unavailable” are words that  just don’t sound all that positive. For those mystified by this term; certainly take a peek at Elephant Journals article <http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/02/3-signs-of-an-emotional-unavailable-person/&gt;

I have never considered myself “emotionally unavailable” and yet here I am attempting to familiarize myself as someone who very likely is just that. I always thougth I was emotionally strong  and possessed incredible coping mechanisms. Come to find out – I distance myself and move on mentally as quickly as possible from situations that are emotionally challenging. I prescribe to tough love and the ‘bear and grin it’ philosophy. True to the emotionally unavailable – we seek what we lack and so desperately need and therefore (I) have always sought shelter in the most emotionally padded of environments; places where community and emotional safety reign supreme. Summer camp, yoga, environmentalism and the world of outdoor adventure have always been my happy places because they are often where people are allowed and encouraged to be vulnerable, raw, and uncensored.

It is no surprise then that my first Wanderlust experience was a positive one. The opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time for me emotionally. A recent break up and a conflicted inner voice about purpose, vocation, relationships and more. I was offered a free ticket to a three day festival of human oneness, movement, spiritual awakening and love – and was more than happy to accept. Nahko and Medicine for the People was among my first discovery. Taking classes with hundreds of other people in the same space only added to energy nearly palpable. I napped mid day among the crowd fully vulnerable and wanting for someone random, some stranger to sit down even lay down beside me and my friend as we drifted consciously into bliss. I began to be quite happy that I arrived and stayed by myself.  I listened, standing next to the Kombucha (Brooklyn) tent, as my co-worker and now friend enthusiastically explained why another Wanderluster couldn’t simply just skip the last class of the last day of the festival…inspired I released myself from the made up responsibility of having to leave at 2pm and headed up Stratton Mountain for one last class in the sun.

Having found a few new friends, I was grateful to witness their tears of release, share in their laughter, and dance in their shared openness. Infused with all of this I returned home lifted. An intensely gentle reminder that being emotionally unavailable is not a curse or lameness, rather a call to action. Wanderlust enabled this uncomfortable term to become an energetic mantra – to actively seek out that which you crave, without reservation or fear.