A Matter of Essentials
May at Eirene Cafe
You are presented with a variety of possibilities as to how to live your life and you’re free to choose one activity over another. Of course, not all of possibilities are open to all of us. In this sense José Ortega y Gasset said that life is at the same time fate and freedom, and that freedom "is being free inside of a given fate”.
On the same note, the Spanish philosopher put well another concept into words when he once wrote “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are”.
The attention is our freedom within a given fate. Because what matters is how we use our limited sources of energy.
At first, I thought it was about making mental lists of what has to be done first, second, fifth, tenth. Keeping track of it all, constantly juggling, but not giving up on anything. I was just prioritizing—nothing wrong with that. But my energy was dispersing.
In his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less Greg McKeown’s provides some clarity. He emphasizes the deliberate act of distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many, eliminating non-essentials, and then removing any obstacles so the essential things have a clear, smooth passage.
So, as the thought of returning to university in September matured enough to become a decision, I needed to check in with my energy resources and ask myself how I was going to invest in the right activities. I was not doubting the validity of my decision—I was beginning the process of eliminating dispersion.
Eirene Cafe is a project that demands significant time, energy, and emotional investment. But it's vital to me. Back in January, I began the process of eliminating non-essentials, and this month marks a further step.
While the website will continue to exist, its purpose will be limited to communicating essential information such as our mission, contact details, and upcoming gatherings. The newsletter is moving to Substack, along with The Cafe. Instagram, the notorious energy vampire, will be fed regularly, yet as little as possible.
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So, it comes naturally that this month’s conversations revolve around the essentials
If you've ever attended a Clarity Pages gathering, you'd know that it revolves around asking questions and reflecting on them. Sometimes answers emerge; other times, the process remains complex, with no clear answer on the horizon.
Here are a few aspects we'll be covering:
Essentials fluctuate: they change over time and can vary on a daily basis.
Non-essential habits and distractions: while they may overlap, they are not always the same.
The importance of saying no, especially during times of pressure.
I'm not a guru, and our gatherings never involve top-down communication. Instead, we explore together, and each person arrives at their own conclusions, influenced by their past experiences.
For the first time, this month we're taking our Retreat outdoors. We'll bury our noses and bare feet in the grass, because it's essential. We're still deciding on the perfect park in Milan that can provide refreshing shade and steady privacy where we can lay out blankets, walk, talk, and enjoy a low-key version of forest bathing. Keep an eye on communications at The Cafe or on the website for updates.
In May, we have an amazing array of gatherings
Their main purpose continues to be creating the right environment for deeper connection with ourselves and other women.
Inclusivity is also our priority. Therefore, the gatherings are ideated around accessibility, ensuring they are affordable, hybrid and located in areas well served by public transport (when IRL). Our goal is to ensure that no one in need of meaningful human interaction is left behind.
Clarity Pages
Tuesday 7, 14, 21 / 10.00-11.30 / Online
Hosted by Natasha
Energy Matters
Wednesday 15 / 10.00-12.00 / Hybrid
Hosted by Yulia Egorova
Lit Salon
Sunday 19 / 18.00-19.30 / Online
Hosted by Natasha
Urban Retreat1
Saturday 25 / 14.00-19.00 / Milan (location TBA) / €35
Hosted by Camilla & Anna
Some important notes for the newsletter subscribers up to April 2024
Starting in May 2024, Eirene Cafe's newsletter will be hosted on Substack. You will continue receiving the monthly newsletter, and occasionally, a second letter may gracefully land in your inbox. In these initial stages as I familiarize myself with the platform, you may receive some additional email notifications as the chat becomes active and the first note is posted (seems like an unavoidable thing). However, I will do my best to maintain the agreement to which you subscribed and keep it as tidy as possible.
And with that, this letter concludes. Feel free to leave a comment if it has sparked a desire to engage and delve deeper. Yes, you'll need to create yet another account to do so (if you already don’t have one). But you won't regret it.
With love,
Natasha
The Retreats are not included in the paid subscription. Please send an email to eirene.cafe@gmail.com to register and receive details about payment options.