What is the Jar of Emotional Alchemy?
It’s a community project started by Jocelyn Mckenzie, the creator behind Starlit Grove Goods. It is based on processing grief, anxiety, and the heavy things that often go unheard/unsaid.
How does it work?
The jar works by being a receptacle for any feelings or thoughts that have become too heavy to carry alone. It offers a space to unload something that you might not otherwise have somebody to listen to, without feeling like a burden. Or for feelings you might be too nervous to admit to others yet, or are still figuring out.
What if I'm not able to leave one in person?
You can send an email to emotionalalchemyjar@gmail.com to still be included in the project, or if you don’t have a chance to leave a note in person!
Where did the idea come from?
I have always had a knack for drawing in people who have stories to tell, and heavy things they carry with them. Sometimes it does get a little overwhelming though, especially when you don't have anybody else to turn to. Over time, I have utilized writing down my own feelings to 'rid' myself of some of the heavier and more intense feelings and thoughts. Getting them out is absolutely a part of the process of growth, but not everybody has somebody they can talk to or finds relief in journaling to themselves. In addition to that, I have watched loved ones suffer from the weight of the stresses they carry and see the guilt they feel when they need to 'unload'. One of my closest family members has had a particularly rough time lately, so this project is also a way of letting them know that they aren't alone. That so, so many people carry things just like them. And that everybody deserves a listening ear and a way to move on and grow from the darkness they've been through.
What happens to the notes/emails after?
The only person who handles your messages at this time is myself! All messages will remain anonymous unless the sender chooses to include their name. Throughout the project, I plan to compile a book for others to read to know that they are not alone. In this, I will also give herbal remedies and suggestions for things that can typically help people process the situation. If you would NOT like your message/email featured at all (remember, it is always anonymous) please just make note of that somewhere on the paper or email!