The Feels The Moon and My Soul

“The feels the moon & my soul,” explores the growing pains of love and heartbreak. It’s a beautiful work of art that takes you in an emotional journey of pain, self-love and growth. I love that the author also self-reflects on the pain she might have caused for others as well. One of the keys to healing and loving oneself is taking accountability and this book portrays that in the most heartfelt way. It’s a work of art that reminds you of what it is to be human and to set boundaries. The author is authentically real throughout each page inviting you to dig deep and to look within.

Thank you for being so raw, honest & open. Your words truly touched me & make me feel not alone. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.The feels, the moon, & my soul is the most recent collection from modern instapoet Sara Sheehan who is known online as moonsoulchild. In this installment Sheehan stays true to her form in prose narratives of overcoming heartbreak & self acceptance. The collection starts off structured with a series of poems based around the concept of 10- Sara is in her late 20s now and reflecting back upon her growth and triumphs over the past 10 years (18 to 28 is a very interesting time in one's life). Throughout the middle of the collection she touches on many things including sexuality, betrayal, relationship dynamics, aging, body image, trauma, and many more- in all honesty it left me a bit torn- on one hand I can appreciate the sheer number of topics that are touched upon because many struggles like those discussed are not only common but tend to intertwine with one another, however at times it seemed to lack some focus. The collection does come into itself much more toward the end and has a few really profound realizations within for example the pieces on pages 149, 183, 184, & 210. Sara often speaks directly to the ones who hurt her in her poems & acknowledges having hurt others herself in the past- which is important because we have all hurt and have been hurt. In her future work I would like to see Sara explore other perspectives & perhaps humanize some of these people a bit, speak to them with a bit more softness than the reactive you hurt me and that was always your intention narrative (although I am sure some of these people are simply not kind, others are simply fighting to preserve their own self worth the best way they know how- they have hurt & have also been hurt, just like all of us). Overall I think this is a lovely poetry collection for those just coming into themselves and trying to navigate their late teens & early 20s- I recommend her to any and all young poetry readers and those just beginning to explore the modern poetry genre.

Moonsoulchild leads us through her chrysalises distributed along a timeline that stretchesThrough the growing pains and the enduring injury of her teens, when the absence of her father led to trauma bonding instead of fulfilling relationships. The poet (name?) grapples with her self-destructive love for others that often brings distress when her expectations are betrayed.In a number of pieces ,she nostalgically revisits different relations with lovers and people who have left an impression upon her, revealing that self-growth comes with accepting and with giving grace to herself for hurting some in the “crossfire,” as well as with forgiving others who were toxic for her. Often these poems end with sad self reflection (placed in italics), where the author reviews her experiences over time.Ultimately, and happily, the poet discovers self-love and the ability to express herself through writing, which allows her to share her vulnerably and to discover a healthy love for herself and a partner with whom she shares her growth. Through writing she is able to express generosity to others who can feel a sense of identity in her words and know they aren’t alone.Hope is the big underlying message, hope that for all our faults, our self-inflicted insecurities and our self-proclaimed failings, we can still find self-acceptance and self-love.Moonsoul’s words will echo your own trials and pain, but also join in the harmonies of your heart.In her own words .. “We’re all damaged souls searching for acceptance, love, and a feeling we’ve yet to experience. Things to remember, love is always beautiful. Cherish every moment, and nothing is permanent.”

I found myself relating to many of theexperiences Sara shares with us in this book. A lot of pastexperiences in my personal life mirrored what I was readingand with each page I felt like I was talking to myself. I lovethe amount of vulnerability and the raw emotions perfectlycaptured in her writing. As I grew up and entered adulthood,I often couldn't put into words what I was feeling butreading this felt like I had finally found the words I wassearching for all these years. Her writing style sets her apartfrom other writers, in my opinion, because of the level oftransparency and authenticity felt while reading. I especiallyenjoyed the parts where she talks about accepting, forgivingand loving yourself. Those are things I am currently workingthrough so it was refreshing to read her work and findingvaluable lessons in her writing. Sara truly makes the readerfeel like they're talking to a best friend.With this in mind, I cannot wait to read more of her work!