Season One | Episode #10
Five Life Lessons Learned from Writing Poetry (Part 1 of 2)
If this episode feels like a message or mirror, feel free to share it with someone who is looking to think about rest differently.
In honor of National Poetry Month, host Dana Tenille Weekes shares three of five life lessons on self-liberation she’s learned from writing poetry in this two-part episode of The Rest of Us podcast.
This episode is filled with honest storytelling and grounded reflection, and features a powerful poem, “Dance to Keep from Crying,” by poet Corey Barron.
What You’ll Settle Into
How Dana has recently struggled with overthinking, overstimulation, and emotional exhaustion, making space for a grounding conversation about lessons from writing poetry that go beyond the page and into our everyday lives.
Key Quotes & Insights
Living a Life in Seasons Uplifts Consistency. Where in your life are you ignoring your natural seasons because you’ve been conditioned to push through?
Live Without the Gaze. Do you feel like you must perform and prove in life? How can you start living without the gaze?
Your Imagination Must Pour Concreteness. Are your dreams vivid and concrete, or so abstract and general that you’re distant from them? You can’t recognize them as yours.
Mentions
“Dance to Keep from Crying,” by poet Corey Barron, first published in Shō Poetry.
LENGTH: 33 minutes
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Until next time, rest, my friends.
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Meet the Host:
Dana Tenille Weekes
Dana Tenille Weekes made the conscious decision to live in a mindset of rest as self-liberation after nearly 15 years as a lawyer-lobbyist in Washington, DC. In 2020, Dana faced the darkest period of her life, which eventually led her to resign from a top global law firm and take a year-long journey of rest in 2022.
In 2023, Dana launched Thrive Architects, a strategic advising and professional development firm building advocacy, organizational health, and well-being platforms for organizations, communities, and people to thrive.
The Rest of Us podcast is one way Dana is building community for professionals and advocates on the brink of burnout to think about rest differently. If you’re interested in embracing rest as liberation, especially after the podcast episode ends, join our community where we converse, connect, cultivate, and lean into our creativity.