Hi, I’m Alexa. I’m so glad you’re here.
We all have a story. Here’s a bit about me.
I’m a writer, musician, and mother to eleven-year-old twin boys. I’m also a writing and meditation teacher. For over a decade, I was a singer-songwriter. I put out three records. The New York Times called me “the neo-Stevie Nicks,” I toured the country, made really big plans. But my rock ‘n’ roll dreams came to an abrupt halt when my son, Lou was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer at age one. To make sense of my new chaotic world, I turned to writing, eventually receiving my MFA from The Writer’s Foundry in Brooklyn, NY.
Most recently, I've been a frequent contributor to Suleika Jaouad's The Isolation Journals, with two essays and accompanying writing prompts (one co-written with my son, Lou) featured in her The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life, alongside Elizabeth Gilbert, Sharon Salzberg, Gloria Steinem, and others. I've also written for Cup of Jo, Parents, and was a contributing writer at Departures.
Over the past five years, I built a community on Instagram, sharing my experience as both a cancer mom and, in yet another plot twist, an early breast cancer survivor myself. Connecting with fellow caregivers, survivors, parents, artists, and seekers from all across the world has been a gift. I’ve learned that no matter the specifics of our stories, we all want the same thing:
To be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
A lifelong New Yorker, I now live upstate with my husband, Ian and our boys. I’m happy to report that Lou is stable and thriving with his brother, West. I’m writing my first book, making new music, and working with writers 101. I’m a Buddhist practitioner, a lover of lipstick, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and beautiful dresses. Those things are important, too. You can read more about me here.
What’s this Substack about?
Welcome to a new home for my writing. I write mostly memoir, meditations, and the occasional haiku. I’m obsessed with:
How and why we keep going.
What is lost and what is found when life takes turns we never imagined.
And how we find the grace, humor, courage, and love to keep showing up despite it all.
In short, I write about resilience.
I believe that a well-told story has a sweet spot where anyone can rest their head. And most importantly, that we can be of service in our increasingly troubled world by sharing and opening our hearts. Storytelling, listening, extending a hand. That’s how we connect and heal and it’s what I hope to do here, too.
On Instagram I wrote off the cuff, on the go. Nothing fancy. Selfies taken in line at CVS, in traffic, waiting for scan results. Vignettes from my life and good wishes for all. You’ll find that same rock ‘n’ roll spirit here — in about 500 words or less. Plus, a much needed escape from the algorithm.
Let’s go!
Why subscribe?
Free subscribers will receive weekly(ish) essays (plus audio) and meditations.
Paid subscribers will receive the above plus:
Early access to my private writing workshops and mentorship offerings.
Quarterly writing workshops on Zoom.
If you’ve enjoyed my writing for free, I thank you for considering this act of reciprocity. Your contribution will directly fund my work as a writer and allow me to keep giving my all to this newsletter and beloved community.
Thank you for your support!
(PS if you need access to the above and can’t pay at this time, email me at alexa@alexawilding.com and I will gift you a paid subscription, no questions asked. Believe me, I get it.)
One last thing.
I’m so excited to embark on this new chapter with you. May this newsletter and community inspire you and make you feel less alone. And, especially at this dark moment in our world, here’s my favorite Lovingkindness meditation:
May all beings be safe, happy, healthy, and FREE.
Much gratitude,
xx Alexa
(PS. Thank you Brite/Lines for my logo, and Jeff Allen for my portrait.)
