Embracing the discomfort, the blips and stumbling of words.
Receiving the compliments, the company and the support.
A Beginning I Didn’t Expect has surfaced true in many ways.
I didn’t expect the beginning of my book to start with my life as it is now.
And I didn’t expect to introduce you to the beginning of my book by reading a chapter out loud, live on here!!
It’s funny that even though my days are the way they are now - so big, so full, so much presence - I don’t approach them any differently to the way I did the year my life collapsed (8 years ago last month).
The prospect of showing up live to share a reading with you pushed me right out of my comfort zone and slap bang in the middle of the zone of discomfort!
And one of the guiding companions that has been of support to be me from that fateful season in my life has been to learn to be with discomfort.
We’ll be talking more about these guiding companions as we move together through Pathway One: Awakening Through Struggle and Seeing Through The Old Paradigm.
But for now, I share with you live in last night’s video the opening quote I wrote in the book, the author’s note and first chapter:
The Morning My Soul Spoke Louder Than My Fear: A Beginning I Didn’t Expect.
Before and after which we settled in with a lovely arrival meditation and ended with a gentle invitation in both meditation and reflection together.
Thanks so much to Migraine Girl 🧠, Luisa, Karen Martin, Morgana Clementine and many others for tuning into our live!
The biggest win for me - aside from braving it to do this in the first place and being able to lean in to your support in ways I haven’t been able to in the past - is that even though there were many blips, such as:
The camera not working straight away ;)
Stumbling on my words
Not feeling certain parts flowed as I might have liked
Missing a page of reading !!!
I didn’t come away from it with incessant thoughts around “I should have said this. I should have done that".”
And for me, that’s been the first time in my life…!
After we’d finished, one of the listeners messaged a picture of her dog, Purdy.
The listener had been sat with her three dogs and they didn’t move the entire live.
She said it was like they were being read a bedtime story.
Ending the message
“Gratitude for what you’ve been through on your journey….
Take a deep breath and be so proud for what you’re going through.
You’ve come this far and writing it in a book is amazing.”
Gratitude, feeling proud and achievement. An embodied combination I’ll take with me into the rest of the week.
I’d love to welcome you again next week.
If you are returning, book here or continue reading more about it below.
An invitation
Over the coming weeks, I’d love you to join me as we journey through the opening chapters of Migraine here on Substack.
Each Let’s Talk About… Live will begin with me sharing a chapter read aloud, followed by a grounded space for reflection and conversation.
There’s nothing to prepare.
The invitation, as always, is simply to come as you are.
Our second gathering
Let’s Talk About… When Awakening Costs You Everything Familiar
Together, we’ll explore the unexpected beginnings that change us, the moments we never planned for, and how struggle can quietly become the beginning of something new.
🗓 Tuesday 14th July - and every Tuesday over (UK) summer
4pm BST
5pm CEST | 8:30pm IST | 11am EDT | 8am PDT
This is a free gathering.
A circle of people coming together.
A ceremonial space.
A gentle ritual of reflection in community.
A sanctuary to pause.
A haven to belong.
There will be no camera.
You’ll be able to see me. I won’t be able to see you.
Sharing in the comments is always an invitation, never an expectation.
Join us from your bed, your sofa, your favourite chair, or wherever you feel most comfortable.
Bring a cup of tea, a notebook or journal if you wish, or simply come to listen.
Come exactly as you are.
You are warmly invited.
Reserve your space for next Tuesday (14th July) here.
If you’d like to follow the journey beyond these lives, you can also pre-order the book here:
Migraine: Root. Reclaim. Rise.
So far you can pre-order it through Waterstones here and The Great British Bookshop here.
Further links to order overseas will follow.
Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’ve only just found this space, thank you for walking alongside me.
Everyone who pre-orders the book will also be invited to an online Activation Ceremony on Tuesday 13th October 2026.
Simply email your order confirmation to amberhorrox@yahoo.co.uk once received.
Any questions - please ask
So far I’ve been asked a number of questions such as “will I enjoy this book?” and “is it too scientific?”. The latest is “are you going to have it on audio book?” (The answer is yes, but more likely next year).
I am loving all the questions so far!
They help me understand what you are looking for in a book and how I can tailor promotion of it.
Creating content around enquiries made helps me inform other potential readers who may be sat there thinking the same question.
Keep them coming!
There is no question too daft.
I’ll be sharing all the questions received so far in my next article ahead of our next live together next Tuesday.
