Preparing for my hysterectomy was a deeply emotional journey.
I was flooded with mixed emotions: grief, anxiety, relief, and a desire to embrace what this transition meant for me—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. It wasn’t enough to let this milestone pass without a major acknowledgement.
I knew I needed to honor it with love, creativity, and community.
So, I decided to invite a handful of incredible women—some “cool witchy bitches”—to help me celebrate in the most meaningful way possible: a Goodbye Uterus Bitch & Stitch Party. The result was beyond what I could’ve dreamed: a day filled with connection, creativity, and collaboration.
Why I Chose to Celebrate
For most of my life, I hated my period. I resented the pain, the mess, and the frustrating inconvenience. Starting at age ten made it difficult to understand let alone appreciate the life force it represented.
Preparing for my hysterectomy, I felt the weight of that disregard and wanted to release it with love, forgiveness, and gratitude. I wanted to be surrounded by red and overflowing with love.
I’d heard of Red Tent ceremonies and I wanted to create a space like that to honor my feminine life force, the bleeding stage of my life, and the transition I’m stepping into.
The idea for the “Bitch n Stitch” party came from a book quote I read earlier this year about how when everything feels like it’s unraveling, women feel the Creatrix’s call to weave their lives back together. This resonated with me on a soul-deep level…
I’d experienced the power of creativity coupled with healing, only this time I wanted to stitch not just my own healing but a shared experience with others. Whether actually fiber art, sewing, painting or any kind of creating, it can feel life changing to create beauty in the times when you feel surrounded by pain.
A Day Drenched in Red
The energy of the gathering was electric. One friend graciously opened her home, and we all came together contributing something special. The room was flooded in red—red candles, red tablecloths, red curtains, red snacks, and red roses at our feet. I wanted to stop hiding from the color I had associated with shame and pain and instead honor it as the source of life itself.
We had paint kits, coloring books, and embroidery projects for those who didn’t bring their own crafts. I worked on a crocheted dress I’ve been stitching together all year. One woman brought her leatherworking supplies (so cool to watch!), another did scrapbooking, and last but not least one babe completed a beautiful painting of floral reproductive organs gifted to me at the end. 🥹
Every craft held a story. Every contribution carried meaning. It was incredible to witness how each woman honored her own creativity and connection to the theme.
Laughter, Love, and a Smooshed Cervix Cake 🍰
There were so many memorable moments throughout the day. Like when I opened up the box for my red-snack contribution —shoutout to Sara from The Craveyard for this masterpiece! It was delicious, beautiful, and hilariously perfect: the frosting on the “cervix” part had shifted and smooshed, which felt wildly symbolic given that my cervix was the reason for the hysterectomy in the first place.
But beyond the laughter, there were moments of deep reflection. We talked about pain, strength, and healing, sharing stories about our unique past with our uteruses.
At the end of the party, we sat in a circle and took turns witnessing one another as each of us released some venting and concluded with gratefulness and gratitude. Then, as we were all gathered around this beautiful circle of red roses at our feet, they surprised me by offering to send me loving energy for healing and recovery ❤️🩹. It felt so beautifully offered and I so graciously accepted.
It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, because I was honoring my connection to myself and everyone else, all at the same time.
Post-Hysterectomy Reflections
My surgery was yesterday, and I feel incredible—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sure, the painkillers are helping 🤣 but I truly believe that the love and intention poured into this gathering have profoundly supported my healing.
This experience reminded me of how rarely we honor the transitions in our lives. Most women have hysterectomies, take a few days off, and carry on without ever mentioning it. But these moments deserve so much more: acknowledgment, love, and celebration.
The Power of Self-Care and Community
This party wasn’t just about me—it was about the power of coming together to witness, support, and create. Hosting Self Care Social events this year has shown me again and again how gathering in community can lighten heavy emotions and turn challenges into joyful, meaningful experiences.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue creating spaces where we can celebrate all kinds of transitions, not just the traditional milestones like weddings or birthdays. Whether it’s a goodbye, a new beginning, or just because—you deserve to honor it.
How Will You Honor Your Transitions?
This was more than a “craft-er-noon” tea party—it was one of the most beautiful and healing experiences of my life. and I’m so grateful for everyone who contributed to it, even you now, reading this 🥹
Now, I invite you to reflect: How can you honor your own transitions?
Better yet, let’s make it a community thing. Whether you join me at a future Self Care Social event or invite me into your journey, let’s celebrate together. Because life’s big (and small) moments deserve to be witnessed.
If you were unable to make it this time or if you’d love to be invited to the next gathering, let me know—I’d be honored to include you!
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