Post 1/ What is Psyche Butterfly?
Love and the Soul, for that is what Psyche means, had sought and, after sore trials, found each other; and that union could never be broken -Cupid and Psyche.
Psyche [pronounced Sci-Key], the Greek goddess of the soul, is often depicted with butterfly-like wings, symbolizing an enlightened traveler. Her mythology tells of trials and tribulations inflicted by the gods, envious of her beauty that rivaled Aphrodite's. Despite their malice, Psyche triumphs by trusting her intuition, embracing ancient wisdom, and patiently enduring her challenges. Psyche’s calm, intentional responses to challenges, rather than reactions, inspire me to start this blog. Viewing her "travels" as a metaphor for personal growth, I invite you to join me in building inner resilience.
I've recently been through my own trials—maybe even a quarter-life crisis. Psyche’s story is not one I only connect with—it was with me throughout my grief. The year I got laid off from the best corporate job I'll ever have, I unknowingly began reclaiming my peace by building a butterfly box with my dad to visiting Psyche at the Louvre. For the family and friends who stuck by me when I wasn't at my best, I'm deeply grateful. Psyche has been, and still is, a symbol woven through it all.
And let me tell you, I didn't handle it like Psyche. I reacted with fear and defensiveness. But now, I’ve found the light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel the need to share my findings and my intended responses into building a new way of living. While these lessons came through hardship, I hope to be a resource for anyone searching for their light. If your soul is undergoing transformation, know that joy can return. Just as a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, the soul is strengthened through adversity.
My Psyche Butterfly approach won’t be right for everyone, but I’m here to share what’s working for me. The vision of our "Psyche Butterfly" is to empower you to live physically simply so you can experience your life through inner work, wisdom, and community - what I like to call “mental travel”. We’ll start with simplifying life’s logistics. Prioritizing this mental journey each day allows you to show up as your best self for both yourself and your community—whether you're exploring distant places or enjoying the world right outside your door.
Here’s what I plan to bring you:
First up, a 52-week series on Building Physical Systems of Simplicity. I'm starting with the KonMari Method overhaul of my space, with my own twists on how to eco-consciously tidy.
September 16 - October 7: An introduction to the blog and our story.
October 14 - September 16, 2025: The physical transformation: I’m designing Canva checklists, Google spreadsheets, and more, all inspired by the KonMari Method—and you’ll get them for free! Think of van life as a guiding star, but with average Jane practicality and eco-conscious approaches. I’ve seen the haters and read the backlash. We’ll take an updated approach to the method.
January 1 - September 16, 2025: A simultaneous challenge: only buying essentials—food, groceries, and toiletries—following the ideas from The Year of Less by Cait Flanders. Join me in the New Year for nine months.
September 16, 2025 - New Year's 2026: A dive into personal styling and conscious wardrobe choices, applying joy to practical and sustainable fashion. We will re-build after the year long journey of what it feels like to deep dive tidy.
Second and into 2025, an open-ended discussion focused on the outcomes of these physical changes, prospectively effecting how we travel - both physically and mentally - and communicate. As Mari Kondo said, “there is one thing I can say in confidence. A dramatic reorganization of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective. It is life transforming.”
Like many, Jared and I are inspired by a wide variety of things. As such, we often find it hard to pinpoint what we truly want because we find joy in what brings joy to our community. One thing we've known for the past 8 of our 13 years together is this: we want to create a space for creativity, rest, and refuge for others. Right now, that vision looks like a piece of land. Maybe this journey will bring that dream to life through a true "Community First" approach—or lead us somewhere entirely different.
Wherever you're headed, join me in this intuitive experiment, exploring your space, mind, and community. Let’s celebrate the simplest form of travel—within yourself and with those around you.
Book Recommendation: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - The Japanese Art of Decluttering & Organizing.
