Thanksgiving has passed and it's now December 9th. I've been sitting looking at this half written "Maine2Miami" blog post for almost a month. I even wrote and posted an entirely separate piece titled- Spider Dreams && My Artwork -Symbolism from Higher Power prior to finishing this Maine2Miami one. It was hard for me to make this particular article "in tension" or have "duality" as I've started to develop with my other writings. I think I just needed to step away and give it some time. Timing is everything. That's Kairos for you.
First of all, this traveling was overloaded with anxiety prior, during, and after... perhaps why I'm having a difficult time writing about the experience. It evokes emotion. I had attended a wedding in a part of the country I've never traveled to prior. It was cold which I struggle with as it tends to put me in a grumpy mood wishing it were summer and I were at a music festival. Anxiety also stemmed from having to prepare to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time and those whom I had also been through some rough patches in our relationships recently. I didn't know how our interactions would be after seeing each other for the first time in years.
Lastly, I was going through changes myself personally which compounded the anxiety. My divorce was finalized in late September. I haven't worked full-time since May 2024 and struggle with even wanting to get a job. I hate working for other people. I'm sorry I'm stubborn about this, but it's the honest truth. I want to make money my own way through art or my own business or a combination of the two. The thing is my ideas for income are so revolutionary that when I try to explain them in person to people I get blank stares or too many questions. I've been told I should be on medication and to see a therapist.
Why? I've never had more clarity in my life. I had been living some made up life and trying to achieve goals that weren't authentic to me. It made me depressed. Traveling and getting to spend time by myself has helped me find my own inner voice. I'm not surrounded by chatter or other's thoughts. I'm alone with my own. Which brings me to- I spent my first holiday alone. I was invited to my family and a friend's because it was "sad" I was alone. Why? I wanted this. Why is that so hard for people to understand that I need some peace and want to spend holidays how I want to for once? They act like it's forever. There will be plenty of other Thanksgivings. Trust me I said my prayers and am grateful for all the people in my life.... from afar.
I'm not wanting sympathy. I'm just in a hermit period of my phase for one - Transiting Saturn is conjunct my natal moon on the IC. This is showing up in my astrology. Knowing that makes me feel like I'm not crazy and there's a purpose. I need this time for myself and my artwork. I can't develop my own style or voice when I'm interacting with too many people. I need peace so that I know that my ideas truly are coming from within. Solitude has helped me grow as a human and embrace my higher self's true desires && purpose. I'm on a spiritual journey.
Where in the world was Elektra Flora??
October | ||
25 | Durham, NC | LP Giobbi's Way Back Home Tour |
26 | Portland, ME | Wedding |
27 | Brunswick, ME | Site see Maine |
28 | Waterford, ME | Explore Colby College Day - Where Sigma Kappa was founded! |
29 | Portsmouth, NH | Site see Portsmouth |
30 | Salem, MA | Site see Salem |
31 | Raleigh, NC | 1 day to pack and relax at home before Florida |
November | ||
1 | Miami, FL | Club Space with Nicole Moudebar & Paco Osuna |
2 | At Sea | EDSea Cruise |
3 | Bimini, Bahamas | EDSea Cruise |
4 | At Sea | EDSea Cruise |
5 | At Sea | EDSea Cruise |
6 | Miami, FL | Site see Miami |
7 | Jupiter, FL | Visit a friend |
8 | Orlando, FL | EDC Orlando |
9 | Orlando, FL | EDC Orlando |
10 | Orlando, FL | EDC Orlando |
11 | Orlando, FL | Recover in Orlando |
You have to understand that the way I have been traveling most recently is not how I typically travel. I am a person who loves to plan. I will spend hours on end planning my trips through research on the internet or reading books. I like to be over prepared. I typically overpack as well… welcome to being a Taurus. I’ll pack things to remind me of home and make me feel as comfortable as possible including my own blanket, fairy lights, and a Squishmello.
I tried to be as flexible as possible with this trip. I had NO hotels or plane tickets reserved at any point. I was on the road and just making decisions as my trip progressed. I allowed my emotions and the way I was feeling in the moment dictate where I was going next. I had plenty of freedom. The Sagittarius in me was thriving on the adventure. The Gemini in me was annoyed I didn't have at least 3 different Excel sheets printed. My Taurus in me was upset I didn't do my research on all the best restaurants for different cuisines in each city I was going to visit.
Who cares now? I had a great time, but if there's one thing I learned - it's that planning ahead is actually the best route when it comes to traveling. Having no itinerary is stressful especially in a place you've never visited. You also end up paying more for hotels, flights, and event tickets. Book ahead and save!!
Durham, NC
I attended a Femme House Ableton workshop on making music prior to the show. There are promotional photos of me on Femme Houses' Instagram if you want to check it out! I got the whole crew including LP Giobbi's siggy on my Electric Forest exclusive tee!
Oops! I should've recorded horizontally. Oh well! Enjoy the short clip for the music! LP Giobbi put on a wonderful performance with a 360 environment. I am so happy for her and her success!
The Northeastern States (Maine, New Hampshire, && Massachusetts)
Miami, Florida && Bimini, Bahamas
Eli Brown sunrise set on the beach was one of my favorites!
Orlando, Florida
A clip from one of the EDC Orlando opening ceremonies with a drone show.
Such an amazing travel experience. I had so much fun exploring new places, dancing to great music, eating yummy food, && meeting new people while also rekindling some old friendships. I don't even know where to start, but some major things I want to highlight from my travels:
Maine is absolutely worth the visit. The culture there is centered around food and nature- a Taurus's love. My Pisces moon really appreciated getting to spend quality time around water which was healing. I was absolutely obsessed with the Maine Heritage Seaweed Shop (the place I bought my Mermaid Book I couldn't put down). I could've bought everything in that shop it is curated so well. I stayed at The Federal in Brunswick for two nights and enjoyed my stay there. My room was so cozy and plenty of places for local cuisine take out including lobster rolls.
Visiting Colby College was a pilgrimage for me as a Sigma Kappa. When I had planned on going to Maine it was just a coincidence that the college was planning an open house and only an hour away from where the wedding was going to be held. I extended my trip while up north to include visiting the school even though the event was for potential students. I had a wonderful day getting to explore the college and even sit in on a lecture. It was chilly, but the air was so crisp. Such a beautiful campus with friendly staff. Considering it was a liberal arts school they did not have an engineering program. Their curriculum and philosophies stood out to me as genuine solid foundations for a good education and I would highly consider going there if it were if I could. Fun Fact : Mary Low and the first women to attend Colby College (the founders of Sigma Kappa) were segregated in the classrooms and libraries- they had to sit behind screens/curtains to not "distract" the men from their studies.
I didn't see or do much in Portsmouth, NH. I was only stopping by because they had a passport office and I needed a new one for the EDSea cruise. I'm a history buff and nerd so I enjoyed walking around aimlessly and looking at architecture while I waited for my passport to be printed.
Salem, MA was amazing although I feel like I did not get to see or do hardly anything. I am glad I stayed at the Hawthorne Hotel because of it's location and the fact that because I didn't get to do much- at least my hotel was it's own vibe. I want to return and explore Salem more!
New record. I clubbed at Club Space from 1AM-9AM. That was such an incredible night. Had fun in my sparkly get up, coral feather boa, Buffalo sneakers, and EDSea snapback. Such a "me" outfit.
EDSea round 2 was amazing. I feel like I relaxed a lot more than round 1 which went by in the blink of an eye. I signed up for round 3- EDSea 2025! I've never been to Belize! I am curious to see how much the venue will change. Bimini was a million times better than where ever were last year. The grass was nice, but it didn't beat being on the beach in a bean bag chair for a sunrise set at 5AM with Eli Brown. Def a top set for me. I also loved Coco & Breezy and Beltran's sets.
My girlfriends AKA EForest Babes were texting me that I needed to go to EDC Orlando since they knew I was already in the Florida state and just gotten off the EDSea cruise. I said "fineeeeeeee." I made my way from Miami to Orlando. I love my girls. They are down to rage and have such big hearts. I just wanted to spend time with them. We had a blast. I am so grateful for their friendship. EDC Orlando was all good vibes. I do love the music scene there.
Although this post was challenging to wrap up - it helped me in finding clarity. It took weeks for me to understand that I need to write in my own style. When I wasn't being authentic to myself and "writing like everyone else" it turned into a homework assignment for me. I don't want my artwork to ever feel like it's a job. It's supposed to be my emotional outlet and playground for creativity. I think I'm finally understanding the flow of how I work. It's just going to take some more practice and time... the Chronos kind.
I've also gained clarity in a sense of how I want to travel from now on... and that's by planning ahead. Doing things on the road and paying extra for everything really isn't worth the stress. Just make the commitment ahead of time && say yes to travel!
I've now gained momentum by clearing my canvas. I can close this Maine2Miami chapter in my life experiences. During my travels I balanced solitude with an overwhelming amount of human interaction. I balanced nature with urban life. I balanced relationships that were getting stronger with others that needed to be released. These are examples of tension in my everyday reality... that I bring to my artwork.
There's truth within your own inner light && breath. Find that place of peace && what you seek will be gifted to you from higher power. <333
xo,
Elektra Flora
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