In an ideal world, January would be an in-between month—not a beginning time, but a period for rumination. A time for ideas to marinate and percolate, without the pressure of hitting the 'start' button. Because the pressure is abundant—pressure to tie everything up, to move forward with clarity.
Yet, clarity requires analysis and understanding. This process takes time and a certain distancing, both temporal and physical. January will be dedicated to a healthy dose of hibernating and incubating, two very natural physiological processes in the healthy cycle of any living being.
Speaking of clarity, I've come to the conclusion that paradoxically, what obstructs a clear vision is the vastness of options. We are drawn to possibilities, and it's no longer enriching. After this initial and experimental phase of Eirene Cafe, a little catharsis has happened and is still ongoing. During these first months, the biggest struggle was with the abundance of options.
Options dilute energy and time.
So, an inverse process has started in full force: subtracting and discarding options. Adding is not an option simply because it means dispersing. We cannot afford a dispersive presence anymore, often perceived as blandness.
Currently, we live in an epoch of a chronic lack of intention.
In line with this awareness, I am making some adjustments to the current structure of Eirene Cafe. The aim is to be truly present and foster genuine attention and exchange, enabling active listening and providing support through simple acts. This can only happen in a space where safety and privacy are ensured, completely free from background noise and other distractions.
In the next few months, our Facebook and WhatsApp accounts will be deactivated. Instagram will continue to be the place for Eirene Cafe’s audience, with snippets of content dear to our hearts. This newsletter will continue to land in your inboxes monthly, hopefully becoming a valuable resource for anyone in need to belong.
The very act of change and challenge will be the creation of the aforementioned nurturing space and community. It will follow a two-directional path.
The participants from in-person gatherings will be able to smoothly transition into a virtual continuation of what has been said and done. They won’t be left alone to relive their aloneness and struggle with a sense of inadequacy. In this enveloping virtual space, they will be able to both give and receive.
On the other side, women beginning their journey in the nurturing virtual space will have the option to do the reverse. They can first acclimate and feel at home virtually. Later, they can decide to join an in-person gathering they feel enthusiastic about.
For me, the best part of this virtual space for community, made from women for women, is the spontaneity. We can decide to have a morning coffee online or offline when we need it or an early evening chat about a certain topic that weighs heavily on our chest.
To be clear, Eirene Cafe will not provide professional help for sufferers of mental health disorders. We aim to bring human contact and create the right circumstances for that contact to become a connection that sticks around for the time necessary for it to become a healthy relationship.
A heartfelt gratitude for being here, now. May 2024 be a safe and enjoyable journey for all of us, a memory to cherish for years to come.
With love,
Natasha Nedelkovska, Founder and Creative Director