In this soulful conversation with Gabby Marchese, poet and writer behind An Opening to Everything, we explore her tender approach to creativity, grounded living, and the quiet power of walking through the world with intention. From ocean dips and morning coffee to the discipline behind crafting honest, vulnerable work, Gabby invites us into her world of slow rhythms, inner reflection, and artistic integrity. Whether she’s journaling in silence, tending her garden, or sharing poetry online, her presence is a gentle reminder that beauty often lives in the in-between. Join us as she reflects on creative rituals, resisting the pressure to perform, and why messy beginnings are worth honoring.
What’s been bringing you joy lately—big or small?
Life has been really busy since the summer so I’ve been rooting into the basics – a good night of sleep, time in the kitchen, morning reads, swimming in the ocean, spending time in the sun. I have fall travels coming up so I’m really looking forward to moving some energy and finding inspiration in new places.
You write and create with such intimacy and honesty. Where do your words usually come from—do you sit down with intention, or do they arrive unexpectedly?
I feel like the spark of everything I write arrives somewhat unexpectedly, but where I go with that and how I build from there is done with a lot of intention. If I waited to be struck by inspiration unexpectedly to write anything, I would probably seldom write much. Half of it is the magic of a word, a line, or the start of something that just comes with ease, the other half is having the discipline to sit down and take that spark and create something worthwhile from it.
What rituals or rhythms help you stay grounded in your day-to-day life?
I walk a lot. It’s my favorite way to break up the day and just connect with the world around me, especially after looking at a computer screen. Meditation, reading, and journaling without any kind of structure also are massive for me when it comes to feeling grounded and connected to myself.
How do you approach social media as a creative outlet, especially in a world that often pushes for speed and performance?
This has been an interesting one for me. Sometimes I feel like social media feels too fast and shallow for something as sacred and refined as poetry – however I do think in the age of over-consumption and doom scrolling, infusing art and poetry into those places is both necessary and important.
I just never want my work to be at the whim or demand of social media, so I think it’s something I will always proceed with caution around. I feel like in the age of social we think something has to be seen or shared right away to be of value, so I’m always reminding myself that what I’m creating outside of the digital sphere is of the most importance, regardless of when or if anyone sees it. The integrity of the art will always be more important to me than being perceived, so I try to remember that when it comes to sharing my work or feeling like I need to keep up.
Has there been a piece of advice or a phrase you return to often in your creative or personal life?
“Write shitty first drafts” is a piece of advice from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and a sentiment a lot of my teachers echo. As simple as it is, it's been invaluable in both my writing journey and personal life. In the past, if something wasn't easy or beautiful the first time or first try, I would just stop there. Returning to this advice has empowered me to let myself make a mess of something, then slowly refine it and let it be an imperfect process that is fine tuned and gets better with time. You don’t have to see the full vision or know where it’s all going to start, just start. That goes for writing, and for life.
Is there a Minga piece that you are loving, how does it make you feel and why do you wear it?
I love my dolphin sweater! It’s such an intentional and unique piece that I feel so cozy in.
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Lastly, how can we follow along with your writing online or in person? We’d love to stay in touch!
I share poetry on my instagram @gabbymarchese, and I also have a substack where I share essays and more long-form work https://anopeningtoeverything.substack.com !
