Why this newsletter? Why now?
“Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being. But we have the power to respond.”
-U.S. General Surgeon
In 2023, former U.S. General Surgeon Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness to be a national public health crisis, affecting half of all Americans.1
When I began Heartbeats, I was one of them—reeling from the recent loss of my father, in a brand new marriage with a four-month-old, navigating profound grief and joy, seemingly alone.
Writing and sharing my experience became a lifeline. That’s when I came across a study confirming the power of connection through storytelling.
It showed that when participants listened to a story with their full attention and presence, their heartbeats synchronized with others listening to the same story, across time and distance.
On one level, the findings are uplifting simply because they demonstrate how stories unite us, says Parra. “It warms your heart to know that you are not alone when you’re listening to a story.”
-PNAS.org2
We may be divided by many things but one thing unites us all— our heartbeats.
This is a space for us to heal, refill our well, share and listen to each other’s stories, synchronize our heartbeats and remember our inherent connection.
Come as you are
I love what Mariah is creating; she shares her own honest reflections while also creating a space for supporting other artists and creatives.
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Welcome. I am so glad you are here. Heartbeats is a community for creatives, caregivers, and messy humans. It’s hard being human and we need each other.
Together, we’re creating a tapestry of connection and a safety net of love through the power of storytelling and collaboration.
Heartbeats is for you
Artists (and those afraid to call themselves artists)
Burned-out creatives/caregivers
Mothers
Community builders
Entrepreneurs
Weavers of connection
Storytellers
Magic makers + those curious about astrology, tarot, or working with intuition
I hope this cozy corner of the internet brings you comfort and joy, makes you laugh sometimes, and inspires you to become the whole person you already are.
Cool, cool, cool. But what do I get if I subscribe? 🥐🗞️☕
Every Sunday you’ll receive a short newsletter from me. Think of it like a warm, buttery scone on a cold winter day. The hug you need when you’re on your third meltdown of the hour. A weighted blanket to help calm your anxiety.
An antidote for the Sunday Scaries.
🌿Gentle prompts for contemplation and creative inspiration.
🌿Community threads and chats to help foster authentic connection + collaboration.
🌿Interviews with pathfinders— ordinary folks living extraordinary lives.
🌿Honest, self-reflections on topics like grief, creativity, motherhood, grace, anxiety, and building a new connection economy.
🌿Music, poetry, videos, recipes, photographs, and a mix-mash of what inspires me in a variety of mediums.
🌿A lot of experimentation, flexibility, and fun!
Membership Options
“It was such an easy decision to support writing and a person that has held such beautiful space for me. Thanks for all you do Mariah 😊”
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Paying for a Heartbeats subscription supports my work as a writer and resources our community. By financially contributing to Heartbeats you are saying yes to collaboration, connection, and creating sacred spaces where we can heal, learn, and honor each other with care.
$100/yr:
Weekly Sunday newsletter
Ability to promote offerings in our Community Bulletin Board
Bi-weekly Connection Circle co-working sessions
Discounts for workshops
Access to full archives.
A special handmade collage, sent via snail mail.
My heartfelt gratitude for your support in helping build a community where we can all thrive, together. 💌
$8/mo or $75/year:
Weekly Sunday newsletter
Ability to promote offerings in our Community Bulletin Board
Bi-weekly Connection Circle co-working sessions
Discounts for workshops
Access to full archives. 💞
$0/mo:
Weekly Sunday newsletter
Ability to post in the monthly Connect, Create, Collaborate thread
Access to most archives. 💗
So who the heck writes this thing?
It’s me, hi. 👋
I’m Mariah, a published poet, new mama and grieving daughter. At least, that’s how I’m orienting myself on the map of life today.
I’m also a nurse, community organizer, big sister, traveler, tarot reader, and nature lover.
Writing and reading have equally saved my life.
After going through bouts of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in my twenties, I needed both to stay connected to life. Without the ability to express my emotions through writing or the privilege of reading the words of others and feeling less alone, I’m not sure I’d still be here. That’s who I write for—anyone who feels alone in their story, including myself.
Read my recent interview with about my experience with art and mental health here.
I’ve been writing and sharing stories about life, love, and adventure since 2012 when I started a travel blog before embarking on a solo trip around the world for a year.
Still not sure Heartbeats is for you?
Here’s a little more about me to see if I pass the “vibe” check 😊
I’m working on my first novel The Pattern Shop and preparing for another round of querying
Our little family is proudly multicultural– My husband grew up in India and I grew up in the Midwest. Our son was born less than a year after we met (he’s now 2 ½).
I’m obsessed with homes built in the 1900’s. I bought my first crafstman house (built in 1902) when I was thirty and renovated it with my family before renting out the rooms. We now live in a Victorian-style house built in 1910.
When I was 25 I had a quarter-life crisis and quit my job as a nurse in the ICU to travel solo around the world for 14 months straight.
I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life and was recently diagnosed with PTSD.
I started reading tarot cards 10 years ago and also know a decent bit about astrology. They’re a part of my daily spiritual practice and I love how the archetypes and patterns can help guide us and develop our intuition.
Anything else you’d like to know? Just ask! Or check out my first love, www.thebarefootbeat.com to peep my journey from the beginning.
I can’t wait to get to know each other. Feel free to introduce yourself in the comments, send me an email, or slide into my DM’s!
Let’s make something beautiful together. 💖
