Why I'm Here (An Honest Introduction)

Mar 9

Written By DA

I've spent eight years trying to build an online presence. Funnels, lead magnets, podcasts, blogs, opt-ins, analytics, algorithms. Trying to earn attention. Trying to prove my worth through metrics.

It never worked. And recently I heard something that stopped me cold when I asked why:

"It's not your path."

So I'm changing course.

I'm Diane. I'm 73. I live in Missoula. I'm a retired trauma therapist, a widow, a recovering expert, and a woman who lost almost everything she thought she was — and is now building something new from the rubble.

What I lost: a retreat center, an identity, a long love affair with someone who was the best thing that ever happened to me.

What I'm building: a village. Not a following. Not an audience. An actual village of real humans in proximity who want reciprocity, depth, wicked humor, and the courage to need each other out loud.

I've started calling myself an altruistic hedonistic enthusiast on a conscious completion tour. I cold plunge in mountain creeks on Sundays. I make lotus-shaped sourdough. I play handpan. I clean houses and find it deeply satisfying.

And I'm done performing belonging.

I'm practicing it instead.

If something here feels like recognition — especially if you're local — I'd genuinely love to hear from you.

diane@beginnersgrove.com

The gate is unlatched — Diane

Beginner's Grove is a small, honest corner of the internet tended by a 73-year-old therapist, widow, and lifelong beginner living in Missoula, Montana.

After 28 years building a retreat center with my Zen Buddhist husband, I lost everything I thought I was — and started over from rubble. What I'm building now isn't a platform or a program. It's a village.

I'm looking for altruistic hedonists with wicked senses of humor who know how to take care of themselves and still have room for a neighbor. People on their own conscious completion tour. Boldly curious, boundaried, and done performing.

I write and podcast here about grief that rides along without being rushed, building chosen family in real time, and what it actually looks like to start over late and mean it.

If something here feels like recognition — I'd genuinely love to hear from you.

diane@beginnersgrove.com

https://beginnersgrove.com

Why I'm Here (An Honest Introduction)

I've spent eight years trying to build an online presence. Funnels, lead magnets, podcasts, blogs, opt-ins, analytics, algorithms. Trying to earn attention. Trying to prove my worth through metrics.

It never worked. And recently I heard something that stopped me cold when I asked why:

"It's not your path."

So I'm changing course.

I'm Diane. I'm 73. I live in Missoula. I'm a retired trauma therapist, a widow, a recovering expert, and a woman who lost almost everything she thought she was — and is now building something new from the rubble.

What I lost: a retreat center, an identity, a long love affair with someone who was the best thing that ever happened to me.

What I'm building: a village. Not a following. Not an audience. An actual village of real humans in proximity who want reciprocity, depth, wicked humor, and the courage to need each other out loud.

I've started calling myself an altruistic hedonistic enthusiast on a conscious completion tour. I cold plunge in mountain creeks on Sundays. I make lotus-shaped sourdough. I play handpan. I clean houses and find it deeply satisfying.

And I'm done performing belonging.

I'm practicing it instead.

If something here feels like recognition — especially if you're local — I'd genuinely love to hear from you.

diane@beginnersgrove.com

The gate is unlatched — Diane

Third Season: How’s That Working for You, Diane? (Part II)

diane@beginnersgrove.com