Sonder
son • der /noun/
The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it; the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, in which you might appear only once, as an extra walking through the metro station.
I remember the first time I experienced a moment of sonder.
I didn’t know what it was at the time. Had no idea this was even a word, much less an actual thing I could experience.
I was young, 12ish, sitting in my bedroom, probably reading or writing.
Out of nowhere, I came to the realization that people die.
[of course this was something I was familiar with but up until that moment had never recognized the depth]
People leave the world and never come back. People die and they’re just gone.
Then I realized that, someday, I too will die.
My heart started pounding at the thought of what death might be like. What it would be like to take my last breath and then simply be gone. Then what? What will my next life be like? Will I remember my experiences from this life in my next? What will I be like in my next life? What do other people experience when they die? How do they feel? What do they see?
It took some time for me to move through all that this brought up in me.
In the evolution of all my thoughts and feelings, I realized that, yes people die, but they also live.
I started wondering what goes on in other peoples’ minds when they walk by me on the street. I would think about how people go about their day, living their lives, doing whatever it is they need to do. Totally oblivious [or lacking the depth of awareness] that others around them are also living their lives.
It was like a secret.
I felt like I was the only one in the entire world walking around with the awareness that other people live their lives, have their own experiences, feel their own feelings, think their own thoughts, make their own decisions..
I could feel the depth of those people.
It was like we were connected by an energetic thread, feeding me the stories of their lives.
To this day, I walk past people in the street or the store and wonder what their experience of the day has been like. I wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes, to experience their life.
Total Jamie-Lee Curtis/Lindsay Lohan situation.
Sondering, for me, is curiosity and a knowing.
It’s simply part of my being.
Every poem I write is born from a moment of sonder, a memory, a story. Born from something meaningful, designed to tug at your heart strings. To make you feel the story behind the words.
To sonder is to feel things that are difficult to put into words.
Depth that is difficult to put into words.
Connection that is difficult to put into words.
That’s why I put it into poetry.
i am here to bring you back to you. to lead you deeper into yourself, into truth, into the quiet knowing that has always been there.
sonder is the thread that weaves through everything i create—poetry, reflection, stories, invitations to remember who you are. every word is a door, every question a key, every moment of sonder a mirror showing you the depth that already exists within you.
this is not just about words. this is about awakening. about feeling seen, about uncovering the pieces of yourself that have been waiting for you. this is about curiosity, connection, and the power of reflection to shift everything.
whether through poetry, courses, or reflection prompts, my work exists to remind you that you are not lost.
you are becoming
hey, i'm mae
poet, storyteller, lover of words.
like this one
eunoia
Ancient Greek εὔνοιᾰ
/yoo-noy-uh/
noun.
well mind; beautiful thinking
my favorite word in the english language
meet the founder + writer behind sondered co.
HD + Big 3
hogwarts house
5/2 manifestor
virgo sun
cancer moon
sag rising
gryffindor
go-to outfit
sweat pants, a tank, + ball cap
sidekicks
my pups loki + luna
my love
favorite season
late summer / early fall
favorite past time
browsing pinterest for home design ideas
always find me with
a coffee + music
here to remind you: the stirring that just won't quiet is asking you to listen.
free resources to begin
the art of
unbecoming
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reflection prompts
It is in these moments of introspection that we realign with our dreams, reconnect with our inner wisdom, and move forward with intention. Reflection + journaling creates space for transformation, reminding you that every word you write is a step toward the life you are meant to live.
The Art of Unbecoming Quiz
Unbecoming is the process of shedding, releasing, and reclaiming. It’s not about becoming someone new, but returning to the deepest truth of who you’ve always been.
A path of rediscovery, awakening the pieces of you that have long been waiting.
Your journey of Unbecoming begins here.
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Kind Words
I didn't know I could let go. I didn't know how much I was holding on to. I'm so thankful for you.
You feel silky smooth to work with. You are smart as a whip. You are patient. You are understanding. You are confident and its beautiful because with your confidence you don't feel challenged.
You know where your strengths lie and you do what you do in that. You're really good at what you do.
You have an eye for beautification and strategy. Those two things are invaluable to me
AB
Mae, everything you do is art
EH
Journaling Queen! You give words to my states and feelings!
KM
I am so grateful for you and you're such blessing for my life in helping me create this beautiful visions that I've been holding back and wanting to mold. But really lighting a fire under me to say your passions are worthy and you're gonna do this and you don't have to wait. You can go now.
That's the Universe bringing you into my life, saying "This is what you need, you need the opportunity and know that given the opportunity you run with it."
I'm so excited and it just brings a part of me alive that has been waiting for me to answer.
JB
Your ability to beautifully write what's on your heart is inspiring!
KB
Mae, I think you might be my Guardian Angel. Every time we speak I feel empowered.
SS
It was so freeing to be able and start a release process for something I've been trying to work through in my head for months! It was a combination of your notes, and some work I've done before. Almost like your info was the missing piece I needed!
MD
All I needed to know was you. My energy was like "YES!" and it wasn't even a thought process.
BM
Her program is comprehensive but she leaves a ton of room for conversations and questions.
The other thing is Mae helped me explore what feels good and doesn’t. She encourages you to be true to yourself and she fully allows space for that!
She walks you through everything. Not once did I ever feel alone and when I was frustrated all I had to do is tell her and she would help calmly talk me off the ledge.
I’m seriously so grateful for this divine timing with meeting Mae my [program] would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for her and I can’t say enough about the experience inside this program.
AP
I am so grateful for you and you're such blessing for my life in helping me create these beautiful visions that I've been holding back and wanting to mold. But really lighting a fire under me to say your passions are worthy and you're gonna do this and you don't have to wait. You can go now.
That's the Universe bringing you into my life, saying "This is what you need, you need the opportunity and know that given the opportunity you run with it." I'm so excited and it just brings a part of me alive that has been waiting for me to answer.
You have so much passion and so much knowledge and I am so inspired listening to you speak
JB
I was listening to the Storyteller pod this morning and f*ck Mae I love you sooooooo much. it's sooooo good.
MT
What I really loved about it was so often you join programs hoping to get to share a little about yourself and hope people can make your thoughts and perspectives feel validated and vice versa with others in the group but instead, the teacher does most of the talking and you don't get to figure out why we have all come to this crossroad at this point in our journey.
In Storyteller you had a chance to tell your story aloud and know people were actually listening. We all came into that space to listen and share with each other. It felt like a circle. You make people feel so comfortable sharing and have the absolute best prompts!
