34 Comments
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Kristyn's avatar

Happy Birthday! Loved reading these 3 mini essays that really allow us to get to know you even more. Looking back at moments in life when we did not think we had it figured out always somehow fit into the bigger picture. Congrats on where you are and where you're going. Hope you are having a great birthday celebration so far!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thank you so much!!! ❤️

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Jack Whalen's avatar

❤️

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Alicia Banaszewski's avatar

I hope you had the loveliest birthday!!! <3

I can't describe how much I enjoyed these tiny essays - their brevity and tenderness reminded me a bit of Sarah Ruhl's 100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write. So, so wonderful.

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thank you!!! Maybe I’ll write more tiny essays—it was so satisfying!

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Cat Jones's avatar

Happy happy happy birthday! Really loved these reflections. Girl-monk?? You're speaking my language with this! (Have you read Matrix by Lauren Groff?) The head down/tiny victories perspective is super motivating and I needed that today, thank you for sharing it with us.

I hope you have a nice big martini to celebrate! Cheers to 39!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thank you!!! I haven’t read that—looking it up!

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mariela's avatar

Happy birthday Alicia! This was??????? So lovely. Can't believe you're giving us a gift on your own birthday! As someone in their mid-to-late 20s (clinging to mid but definitely late) and floundering, this was so special to read. I especially loved "These aren’t manifestations. I recognize something I want and I make moves toward it, but never aggressively. Head down."

<3

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Aw thank you so much!!! I’m so glad it’s reaching you when you need it. You have so much time!!! ❤️

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Allison Felus's avatar

Happy birthday, happy birthday! I read guitar magazines for the exact same reasons when I was younger, despite being a piano player at the time. And now I’m married to a guitar player! ~Manifesting works~, lmao.

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thank you! Omg I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one! 😂 you’re living the dream!

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Rida Bilgrami's avatar

Happy Birthday!! On the cusp of 39 myself I am pondering on the shape of the life I want to manifest and actively build while also celebrating the journey to get to this point. Thank you for sharing your beautiful reflections and this bit particularly made my heart sing:

“The things I love most in life are about inhabiting a mood, locking into a choreography that’s simultaneously all mine and belongs to humanity: music, cooking, writing an essay, posting online.”

❤️

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ thank you!

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Skylar Renslow's avatar

Happy birthday! I love the tiny victories sentiment, and truly something that I don't think we realize until we hit at least 30 - consistent work adds up, to something at least. tiny victories, small steps, tiny feedback loops that propel us forward. being present and giving yourself a chance feels like one of the only things we have true agency in these days. Cheers!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

thank you! yes, indeed, it’s such a positive shift to know that even when it doesn’t feel that way, our consistent work is propelling us forward

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Melisa's avatar

hbd!! we're all so excited for your next "manifestations"!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

thank you!!!

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Michael Rance's avatar

Happy birthday!! Your points about tiny victories and consistency are what I needed to read this morning, it pulled me out of a spiral that I was in with a project. I really appreciate how much care you put into your essays, and I know that many others do as well. Hope you have a nice day :)

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

thank you!!! good luck with what you’re working on — it’s so hard to focus right now

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Sari Botton's avatar

Love this. Happy 39th, Alicia! 🎂

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thank you!!!

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Kristin Donnelly's avatar

I'm skeptical about manifestation, and yet, people who are super into it will say you were indeed manifesting. You had a super clear vision of what you wanted (harder than it sounds sometimes) and just kept doing the work without needy energy. Happy birthday!

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

Thanks! Yes, that’s why I insist it’s not 😂 I think there’s always some intangible element to why someone has success with something but I prefer to give more attention to the hustle, to what I control.

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Kristin Donnelly's avatar

Manifesting without effort is BS for sure.

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sarah duignan, phd's avatar

this was so beautiful! loved the way you approached it. hope you have a wonderful birthday! 🥳

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JAKE MIKE BOY's avatar

Beautiful piece! and happy birthday! Your drifting along as you call it is seriously inspiring. I cannot help but think of Rick Owens (😝sorry) in that he is also a scorpio, grew up catholic, but on the flip side of your monk thing, was hugely inspired by the convent of nuns in his hometown and their robes dragging on the ground. He also kind of drifted into success. Cheers to 39 being something all its own.

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Alicia Kennedy's avatar

I lovvvve this! Thank you!

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Ines Bellina's avatar

Happy Birthday! For a brief period as a kid, I wanted to be a priest because I would get to hear everyone’s secrets at confession lol. That gossipy impulse has never gone away

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Teresa Finney's avatar

Happy birthday, Alicia!

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