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2 weeks ago | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
A few weeks ago, I shared some of the lessons I learned after a year off Instagram. (If you missed it, you can read it here.)This week’s essay continues the journey, exploring what I found beyond the need to be liked, and the deeper kind of belonging that emerged. As always, thank you for being here. xI didn’t wake up one morning finally free from the need to be liked.
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1 month ago | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
One year ago, I left Instagram for good. I shared about my decision in this essay. Here’s what unfolded…A walk with my family through the Sierras feels different when I’m present. It feels different when my awareness flows freely from our children’s laughter, to the Red Tail Hawk soaring overhead, to the scent of the lupines, to the welcomed exhale from my lungs that comes from feeling like I am enough in that moment. That we are enough.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
This fall my attention has been stretched with our children, the animals we care for, the uncertainty of the times we inhabit, and the longing woven through all of it to stay connected to my deeper call.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
There I was, cleaning my own pee off the floor of a hotel room. Not because I’d been drunk or 9-months pregnant—because I had worked myself into such an exhausted and delirious state that I couldn’t drag my body from my bed to the toilet. I don’t even remember it happening. Nic and I just found the soaked carpet in the morning. If you read part 1, you’ll know how I got there.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
When I lived in Los Angeles, I probably spent a third of my income at Erewhon. Some months it was closer to half. If you haven't visited Erewhon, it’s an upscale health market with a major celebrity and cult following.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
The other day I asked Nic to read a recent essay. After a few minutes he closed the screen on my laptop. Finished already? I ask. It was pretty short. What did you think? I inquire, already knowing it isn’t a great piece. It…was…it was not that interesting. Oh. My. God. I think. It’s worse than I imagined. It’s not that interesting? I challenge back with a hint of embarrassment. No. There are other things going on in your life that are more interesting.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
When I first became interested in resting, I didn’t see it as anything more than something my body made me do when I was burned out, broken down, and unwell. Rest was a fail-safe, meant to keep me going (and going, and going). So when I decided to take more of a proactive approach, I also believed that this essential, natural act would be, well, easy. Resting was far from easy. I had to learn through fits and starts that rest isn’t just an activity you do occasionally when you’re exhausted.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
Welcome to Week One of the Permission to Rest Immersion. I am grateful you are here and I look forward to practicing with you for the next four weeks. If you have been considering joining us, it’s not too late, you can upgrade your subscription today.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
Welcome to Week Two of the Permission to Rest Immersion! I hope you are settling in well. I am enjoying getting to know you in our group thread from last week. If you haven’t had a moment to introduce yourself over there yet, please do. This thread will remain open until the end of the immersion.
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Feb 6, 2025 | 
thedeepercall.substack.com | Ashley Neese
Welcome to Week Three of the Permission to Rest Immersion. We just hit the halfway point in this immersion. Can you believe it? I am feeling held by our group container and am grateful for each of you. Thank you for continuing to show up for yourselves and each other. So much has been opening up for me during this immersion. I am really looking forward to experiencing how my practice continues to deepen over these next couple of weeksIf you are feeling behind in your rest practice, it is okay.