Issue #3: Roots in the Rain

This newsletter shares peer stories that may touch on sensitive themes. While we hope these stories offer inspiration and connection, please remember that Little Light Community Collective is not a mental health or crisis service. 

Our content is based on personal lived experience and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Please take care of yourself as you read, and if you need professional support, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified provider or your local crisis service.

Quote

“Awakening is not a process of building ourselves up but a process of letting go. It's a process of relaxing in the middle—the paradoxical, ambiguous middle.” - Pema Chödrön

Opening Note

Hi friends,

Welcome to the third edition of our Little Light Newsletter!

No matter the journey, we all face seasons of change that leave us feeling untethered. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been witnessing one of these shifts in real-time as winter thaws into spring. For me, this transition has been characterized by heavy rain and a constant tug-of-war between the lingering cold and the emerging warmth. It is a literal pull between two worlds, perhaps what might be called and seen as the ‘messy middle,' but I was recently reminded that this very rain is what allows the flowers to bloom. And honestly, I love that reminder: April showers bring May flowers.

Our lives can mirror this seasonal pull. We often experience transitions that stir a complex mix of emotions, and it can be incredibly difficult to let go of something we’ve been linked to for so long; it’s important to know that sense of loss is real and valid.

Because this is a path we all walk in some way or another, that also means that we don’t have to walk it in solitude. That is why creating a space to talk about these challenging feelings is so important, so we can see our own reflections in the stories of others. It is in the spirit of finding those first blooms while standing in the rain that I introduce this month’s feature.

We are truly honored to introduce our second Little Light of the Month, Angelica Galluzzo. Her story is a beautiful testament to hope and resilience, especially for anyone navigating the 'tunnel' of life’s many transitions. Having long admired Angelica’s impactful work in the mental health space, I am deeply grateful to have her share a piece of her journey with us. We are so beyond happy to welcome her into the Little Light Community Collective. 

Angelica Galluzzo

Angelica Galluzzo is a storyteller, community builder, and mental health advocate who is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen and heard. She studied Psychology at Western University and has spent the past eight years working in youth mental health. 

Angelica is the former podcast host of The Revolutionized Mind and she has also shared her story on stages such as TEDx, using her voice to encourage others to embrace vulnerability. 

In her free time, you can find her cooking, playing with her dog, Tessa, or doing something active with friends/family.

And with that, we invite you into Angelica’s story.

Thank you for sharing this space with us! 💛

Kindly, 

Lily Baker

Founder & Collective Lead

Little Light of the Month—The Light in the In-Between, Angelica Galluzzo 

What happens when we lose something that once gave our life a sense of purpose?

Maybe it’s graduating from school, having a child move away from home, or returning from a 6-month backpacking trip around the world. That feeling of: what the heck am I supposed to do now?

I’ve found myself in that space more than once over the past few years. Letting go of things that don’t just fill your time, but define you. The kind of things so intertwined with your identity, you don’t know who you are without them. For me, my entire life revolved around soccer from the time I was 3 years old up until just a few years ago. More recently, I became the “mental health girl” who started a podcast and gave a TEDx Talk. I couldn’t introduce myself without talking about these things because it was just who I was.

When these two things ended, it wasn’t just about losing a hobby or closing a significant chapter. It was a complete shock to my system. I felt empty, directionless, and confused. Because when we lose that thing that drives us, we’re left with versions of ourselves we’ve never had to meet.

Stepping on the field for the last time.

Recording the final episode.

And then waking up the next day with nothing to do and nowhere to be.

No one really prepares you for that part.

I think we’re taught to move on quickly. To just keep looking forward and focus on what’s next.

But I’ve realized that moving forward isn’t always immediate. Sometimes, there’s an awkward, but necessary, space in between. And those are the seasons I’ve been sitting in lately.

The ones where nothing is necessarily wrong, but something doesn’t feel fully right either.

They’re slow, uncertain, and at times even uncomfortable.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve held onto the idea of “finding the light at the end of the tunnel.” It’s a mantra that has gotten me through some of my darkest moments. To me, it represents hope, reminding me there’s still so much good ahead, and direction, guiding me towards who and what I’m meant to be.

In the depths of my depression, I couldn’t always see, or even conceptualize, the light at the end of the tunnel. I would force myself to find those small sparks of joy, passion, or happiness. Most of the time, this was found through playing soccer. It was really the only thing that gave me a sense of meaning and purpose.

Before my soccer career officially ended, I started my podcast, The Revolutionized Mind. 

I wasn’t just trying to provide light to others; I was also trying to chase the light myself. The work I was doing was meaningful. I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. Every day, the light got brighter, and I knew I was on the right path.

After 5 incredible years of impact, growth, and connection, I decided to end my podcast in December 2025. It was time for me to step back, take a break, and reassess where I wanted to go in my life.

As peaceful and reflective as that sounds, this season has actually been way more challenging than I anticipated. Not because everything is dark, but because I’m standing somewhere in the middle. In a tunnel with several directions, not knowing which one will lead me to the light I’m so eager to find. And, where exactly is the end?

I’m starting to realize the light isn’t always something we need to search for. Maybe it’s about acknowledging that we’re lost and learning how to sit in the in-between, without rushing to escape it.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still in the middle of this tunnel as I write this. But I do know that these quieter seasons are probably shaping me in ways I won’t understand until later.

And maybe that’s the point.

So, I still believe in the light at the end of the tunnel. But I’m looking at it a little bit differently now.

It’s not always something you can see.

It’s not always something you arrive at quickly.

And sometimes, it’s not even the thing you’re meant to be looking for.

Maybe it’s just about making yourself comfortable in the middle of that tunnel, with a warm drink and a good book, and trusting that you will get there eventually.

In a world that’s obsessed with productivity and achievement, let’s just be here right now.

Maybe that’s how the light finds us.

~ Angelica Galluzzo 

Reflection

When you find yourself in a 'tunnel' of uncertainty or change, what is one small way you can find your own light right where you are? 

If you’d like to share, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your reflection here.

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Closing & Feedback

Thank you for being here and for reading our third issue. We are deeply grateful for your support and hope you’ll join us again next month on May 28th, 2026.

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How did this newsletter land with you today? 

As a peer-led community, your voice matters deeply to us. Your reflections, feedback, and suggestions help us keep the light shining in the right direction.

We invite you to take a moment to share your thoughts here.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this circle of light.

Until next time,

Keep your little light burning.

✨Little Light Community Collective✨