Introduction: Embracing the Power of Creation Later in Life

Becoming a storyteller wasn’t something I had planned from an early age. In fact, it’s something that has only recently come into my life in a meaningful way. I’ve always had a knack for telling stories—or, at the very least, rambling on with long explanations. But developing the confidence to be concise and strong in my words has been a gradual process, something that’s come with age, wisdom, and experience. And even now, I feel like I have a long way to go.

My Journey as the Creator of Aurelda

The creation of Aurelda didn’t come from an effort to prove something or to immediately build a community. It came from a spark—an excitement about the characters like Mo’an and Itzam’Yeh, and the world I could create around them. If I’m honest, part of the reason I was drawn to these characters is that they reflect the physical type I’m attracted to. There’s something refreshing in just acknowledging that and allowing myself to create from a place of passion rather than perfection.

Living in Playa del Carmen, with its deep spiritual energy, was supposed to be a period of personal expansion, but it also turned into a time of confronting old traumas and facing my shadows. It was here that I really had to learn to practice what I preach—to integrate breathwork, mindfulness, and the things I’ve spent years studying into my daily life. Healing my own wounds became essential, and creating Aurelda gave me the permission to explore sides of myself that I had long been afraid to reveal, including my love for ancient Mesoamerican wisdom traditions and my curiosity around same-sex sacred sexuality.

Aurelda: A Space for Authentic Self-Expression

If there’s one thing Aurelda represents, it’s the process of embracing every part of yourself—the parts you’re proud of, and the parts you’re still learning to love. It’s been a journey of self-discovery for me, learning to let go of what I thought others expected me to be, and instead embracing all aspects of who I truly am. It’s through these characters and this world that I’ve been able to explore those hidden parts of myself—the parts I was once afraid to admit even to myself.

But as much as Aurelda has been about personal exploration, there’s always been a lingering fear: Will this resonate with others? Are my insecurities and doubts about being “worthy enough” holding me back? I’ve had to confront those fears head-on and realize that Aurelda isn’t about creating something that fits neatly into any one category. It’s about living out my truth and trusting that it will find the right people.

Building Community: Finding Connection in Unlikely Places

Building a community through Aurelda wasn’t my first goal, but it grew naturally out of a personal frustration. I couldn’t quite find my place in either the mainstream gay community or the new age spiritual community. Both spaces seemed to be missing something for me, and so the desire to create Aurelda as a space for others like me—those seeking a deeper connection, a place where they can be their full selves—began to take shape.

4-7-8 Breathwork for Creative and Spiritual Balance

As I continue to create and expand Aurelda, one practice that has grounded me through it all is the 4-7-8 breathwork technique. It’s simple but effective, and it has been a lifeline during moments of doubt and creative block.

Here’s how you can practice it:

• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
• Exhale completely for 8 seconds.
• Repeat for 4 cycles to recenter yourself and reconnect.

Through Aurelda, I’m learning to let go of external expectations and embrace what truly excites me. And I hope this world I’ve created can offer others the same permission to explore, expand, and connect.

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