How to Reclaim Your Wild

With Alicia M. Rodriguez

Welcome to Resurface, with me, Tamzin Merivale.

I’m an intuitive artist, writer and mentor, and this space is for creating deeper connections not only to others, but to parts of ourselves that have been forgotten, neglected, or are waiting to be discovered. If you’ve ever felt stuck, blocked, unseen/unheard or like you don’t belong, then you’ve come to the right place.

My mission is to provide tools and insights for you to live a life that feels expansive and free, and to show you just how much you light up the world around you, simply by existing. I’m here to accompany you on the journey of shedding the stories and patterns that weigh you down, so you can float up to the light and Resurface.

You can learn more about some of the work I do here.

Over the last few weeks, I wrote about surviving in the online world as a Creative Person, which led to a few meet-ups with this community. Thanks to everyone who signed-up and attended, it was so lovely to connect.

As the demand was much higher than I anticipated, I’ve decided to incorporate these gatherings into my paid tier.

“Tamzin has a magical way of holding space.”

We will have the first official “Connect and Create” gathering next week:

• When: Wednesday, 28th February, 7pm Central European Timezone

• Where: online via zoom, the link will be sent out to paid subscribers on the day

• Discussion topic: How do we embrace our WILD in our creative lives?

• To join you can upgrade here with a 20% discount

These meetings are a chance to meet, network, discuss what you’re working on, or get some feedback, support and inspiration. I hope to see you there!

In your work, creativity or social life, how much of yourself do you withhold? How often do you feel fully able to let your wild side out, even alone? Are you deeply acquainted with your wild, untamed side, or is she tucked away, itching to be let out?

As writers/artists/creatives, there’s a set of expectations placed upon us. We’re not supposed to hold back. We’re supposed to think differently, to reflect uncomfortable truths, to “find our voices” and use them to shake up the system.

But while finding our own brand of wild is encouraged, it’s also caged.

Don’t say the wrong thing.

Don’t disagree or “rock the boat”.

Don’t make us too uncomfortable with your ideas, your vulnerability, or your honesty.

It’s a paradox, and it can be complicated to untangle your own unique point of view with so many conditions attached.

So today, I’m handing over to Alicia M. Rodriguez, who wrote a guest column for us about Reclaiming Your Wild through nature. Alicia is a Latina writer, published author, executive coach and successful entrepreneur. She has lived in six countries and moved to the Algarve a few years ago, where she hosts retreats and takes daily walks along the cliffs with her dog, Sophie.

Alicia is gifted with the sensitivity to explore culture, spirituality, storytelling, and magic themes — attributed to her Colombian roots and love of Latin American literature. She writes Nothing Is Ordinary here on Substack, where you can also learn about her upcoming memoir, The Shaman’s Wife.

Reclaim Your Wild

by Alicia M. Rodriguez

Last year, an entrepreneur came to me for a Becoming Limitless Retreat. She wanted to pivot her coaching company, increase revenue, and hone her desired client profile. However, I sensed something deeper was going on, so I invited her to work with me.

After days of working on her business, revising copy that didn’t feel right and struggling to identify what she offered, we took a day off and drove to Costa Vicentina, an area in Portugal known for its stunning natural beauty and underdeveloped beaches. There, limestone cliffs tower over long stretches of beach, a magnet for kite surfers due to the high winds and waves.

The sea smashed against the stone cliffs reaching twenty feet high and the wind sprayed ocean waters into the sky. Wave after wave hit and released as she stood watching. I asked her to stand quietly for as long as she wished, then I moved away.

A little while later, she came towards me. I could see tears in her eyes, but I said nothing. The next day, during our last session, I asked her what had been going on for her at the cliffs.

“I was watching the power of nature,” she began. “I realized that the ocean isn’t asking permission to be the force she is. The wind isn’t being coy about how hard it blows. The seagulls are dodging in and out, unafraid of the wildness of the ocean and wind. They’re dancing in harmony with that wildness.”

After a pause, she said, “I know why I haven’t been able to pivot or be happy in my business. For a long time, I’ve been trying to do it ‘right,’ to conform, to do what others told me I should be doing.”

She turned and looked directly at me and said, “I realized on the cliffs why nothing was working for me. It’s because I lost my wild. I lost my sense of who I am. I keep making excuses as to why I shouldn’t run my business the way I really want to.” Then she said with confidence in her voice. “I want my wild back. Can we work on that today?”

“By all means!” I answered. “We have one day left. Let’s do it!”

That wild part of us is beat out of us through society’s systems that tell us we can’t be fully who we are. We should conform. We are shamed for our wildness. Words and phrases like ‘frivolous’, ‘silly’, ‘can’t be taken seriously’, and ‘rebellious’ are used against that wild creative spark which was present when we were children. We become inhibited and afraid that if we are true to who we are, we won’t belong.

Yet it is that very wildness that drives creativity, innovation, pleasure, joy, imagination, adventure, exploration – all the things that make us feel alive.

Reclaim your wild.

The world needs wild, rebellious, fiercely creative people to remind us that life was meant to be lived uninhibited and joyfully so we can be the change we must be in the world.

Where do you find yourself holding back?

What does the wild, uninhibited, fiercely creative side of you want to say or do? Let’s create a thread of wild comments:

Thanks so much to Alicia for reminder that if we lose touch with our wild side, nature is always there to remind us of it.

Until next week,

Tamzin xx