Aligning to Appalachia

It's been especially tough lately to write about this region in a romantic way. I love Appalachia to my core, but when I talk about folk magic and healing in particular, I’ve felt a growing disconnect between what I'm experiencing outside and what I share on Instagram.

It's pushed me to step back from myself and my own nostalgia, which is a good thing. I've always tried to show that there's real beauty here, but also deep need and despair, and I want to do a better job of not shying away from the latter, even when it puts me in a more vulnerable place.

Likewise, having the privilege of a voice has driven me to hold myself to higher standards. If I've gained anything from aligning my work with Appalachia, I owe it something meaningful in return. Not just signal-boosting or ‘shining a light on’ the region, but dedicated energy and resources. (Without those, it’s nearly impossible to form a genuine connection to the practice anyway.)