Julie Jewels Smoot

I have spent much of my life navigating expectations. Expectations about who I should be, how I should behave, what I should tolerate, how I should respond, and how quickly I should move forward from difficult experiences.

My body has carried me through every experience of my life. It has responded to stress, exhaustion, grief, fear, joy, movement, and rest. There have been times when I have felt connected to my body and times when that connection has been difficult. But I do not believe that reconnecting with ourselves requires us to override what our bodies are communicating.

Throughout 2026, my creative work with JS Worldbridger and Author Honey Badger has continued to evolve through a series of albums exploring sound, stillness, boundaries, personal awareness, and the relationship between the body and lived experience.

Listening to yourself does not have to be intense. Sometimes it is as simple as realizing, “I am tired,” or “I want to make something,” or “I would like to be quiet for a while.”

I know my worth. I know who I am. I know what I have survived, what I have overcome, and what I have created. My life has carried me through military service, healing work, writing, music, advocacy, grief, awakening, and renewal. None of that becomes less real because a social media post does not receive engagement

Pause and reflect: What does your body truly need today? Explore options like movement, rest, or simply being, as you immerse yourself in this peaceful setting. Listen first—nothing is required. There are days when my body wants movement. There are days when it wants sound. There are days when it wants quiet. There are days when it wants to walk, stretch, breathe, move slowly, listen to a gong, receive bodywork, or simply curl up underneath a blanket and be left the hell alon

A serene scene with gentle flowing water and wildflowers conveys a message of calm acceptance with the text "Nothing Is Required of You."

Whether you are seated or lying down, allow your body to settle naturally. There is nowhere you need to be. Nothing you need to accomplish. This is a space where your imagination is free to wander. If it feels comfortable, gently close your eyes. Or soften your gaze. Take a slow breath in... And gently breathe out.