Don’t Text Your Ex, Please
Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap—like it’s the cosmic equivalent of spilling iced coffee on your laptop just as you're about to submit something important.
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be that chaotic (okay, maybe just a little).
For me, Mercury retrograde is less about tech glitches and more about being handed a messy pile of old habits and beliefs, like the universe saying, “Hey bestie, wanna clean this up?”
This round, Mercury is in Sagittarius, which is all about big-picture aspirations and freedom—but also about realizing how the systems we build to support ourselves can sometimes hold us back.
It’s like the stars are handing me my old script and asking, “What would you do differently this time?”
Mercury in Rigor Mortis: The Fortress of February
Earlier this year, I found myself back in Atlanta—a place that always feels like stepping into my old bedroom, complete with outdated posters and a diary full of unresolved entries. Atlanta has been the setting for so many pivotal moments in my life, and this time was no different.
I was physically and emotionally drained, clinging to structure like it was the only thing keeping me afloat. My mornings became sacred rituals, structured with military precision to protect my mental state.
Wake up at 5 a.m.
Meditate, journal, and avoid all distractions.
Work only after I’d fortified myself with four hours of “me time.”
That first Monday back, I broke my own rule.
I checked my phone as soon as I woke up (dun dun dunnn)
A flurry of upsetting messages greeted me, unraveling my carefully constructed morning before it even began. And, that one moment of “failure” set the tone for the months that followed—a cycle of frustration, hopelessness, and feeling like life was happening to me, not for me.
Back then, I thought control was the answer.
Now, I know better (tbh still learning this, but you get it)
Mercury in Reggaeton: Dancing with Chaos
Fast forward to now, and the energy feels completely different. Instead of wrestling with life, I’ve started dancing with it.
This Monday, I woke up naturally—no alarm, no 5 a.m. expectations, just a gentle 6 a.m. rise. My nephew’s giggles (and occasional cries) became the soundtrack to my morning. I didn’t reach for my phone or my to-do list.
Instead, I asked myself: How do I feel? What do I need?
Spoiler: The answers weren’t groundbreaking. A few stretches, a sip of tea, and sitting quietly for a few minutes were enough.
The shift? I stopped treating my mornings like a battlefield and started treating them like a relationship.
One built on trust, intention, and showing up for myself—even if it’s messy.
Mercury in Gatorade: From Discipline to Flow
Back in February, I thought discipline would save me. I clung to routines like a life raft, afraid that letting go would mean being swept away by chaos.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Growth doesn’t come from running faster. It comes from slowing down enough to notice what’s chasing you.
I had to face the shadows I’d been dodging for years:
Fears of failure.
Doubts about my worth.
The belief that life has to be hard to be meaningful.
Instead of fighting these feelings, I started listening to them. Turns out, they weren’t here to ruin my life—they were here to teach me how to trust myself.
A Mercury Retrograde First Aid Kit
If you’re feeling the waves of retrograde energy, here’s what’s in my toolkit:
Ease Over Perfection: Focus on flow, not control.
Breathwork to Reset: A few deep breaths can change everything.
Movement to Ground: Dance, stretch, or walk to shake off emotional dust.
Reflection to Align: Journaling helps you connect with your feelings and set intentions.
Creative Expression to Release: Use art, music, or writing to process emotions.
Mercury in Retrospect: (re)Writing the Next Chapter
If February was about survival, November is about sovereignty.
That retrograde taught me that it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions and allowing the process to unfold.
Here’s what I’ve learned (and are reminders for me as well!):
The Power of Review: Retrogrades aren’t punishments; they’re opportunities to reflect and realign.
The Importance of Ease: Growth doesn’t always have to be hard. Sometimes, it happens when we allow ourselves to move with ease.
The Beauty of Becoming: Every version of me—past, present, and future—has contributed to this journey.
Mercury in Alignment: You’ve Got This
The me from February didn’t have it all figured out—and neither does November Me. But that’s okay.
Mercury retrograde isn’t here to ruin your life. It’s here to nudge you toward what needs releasing, what needs realigning, and what’s ready to bloom.
Ask yourself:
What feels good right now?
What habits or beliefs no longer serve me?
How can I use creativity to move through my emotions instead of staying stuck?
Let’s call this Mercury in Alignment—a season of embracing the beauty, the mess, and the magic of becoming.
✨ You’ve got this. Now go create something beautiful. ✨
‘til next time,
2mannythoughts