Stella Douglas Must Die
- Stella Madre
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22
The woman I was is dead. I’m creating space for the one I’m becoming.

After leaving my marriage, losing my mother, and dismantling the life I knew, I found myself in the middle of the desert — quite literally — building a city from scratch at AfrikaBurn.
My story is a soul-forging initiation of dust, dreams, and destiny.
This isn’t just a story about a woman leaving her marriage. And losing her estranged mother shortly after. WTF???
It’s about radical self-love, power tools, divine timing, and choosing yourself — even when it feels like the whole world is burning.
It’s been a crazy intense season.
So much has come up (and as the divorce reaches its conclusion, it still does) to be processed.
My 47th birthday was on the 14th of March - on a red full moon AND kick-off to the eclipse season. Could that BE any more mystical and auspicious?
I don't know about you, but Jeeeezuz, that eclipse season was INTENSE.
On that very day, my birthday, I received not one, but two separate and unrelated opportunities to work at Afrika Burn. Afrika mother fucking Burn.
You will need to read my new book, born out of this entire transformative journey, which, began in 2018, I know, that's a long time ago, seven years to be precise, to comprehend the fullness of this. More than ever the cyclical (long cycles) of nature reveal themselves to me.
In short for now: I’ve wanted to go to "The Burn" since 2014 (that's what seasoned Burners - yes - I'm a "Burner" now call it) but I'd forgotten how to choose myself and chase my dreams, and so it became one of those things we say we’d love to do but don’t.
I took very few pics because I wanted to BE PRESENT, but I’ll share the few I took in a post soon.
But then, holy fuck, it HAPPENED!
And I hardly even tried. Believe me, I was just trying to get through a divorce, pay my accountant, and trust the process.
The hard work was choosing myself BEFORE this could take place. Years before. And then again and again and again.
Luckily, Life hadn’t forgotten to choose me, and FY,I your dreams will never stop chasing you. Your dreams are YOUR dreams for a reason. They want you as much as you want them. I call it the Revolving Door of Destiny. If they are for you, they ALWAYS come back around.
Some would say I shifted timelines. Others might say I got out of my own way. Some might call it #destiny.
To be clear: This wasn’t just a to-do item on my bucket list. This was part of the initiation I've been in. And I KNOW IT.
Six weeks in the desert will change you. Six weeks of working at DPW (Department of Public Works - we build the city that becomes Afrika Burn for seven days of hedonism, healing, and art) will change you.
Alchemy by fire and baptism by dust will change you. I am still putting everything where it belongs inside me. You know?
I used power tools and built things and remembered things about myself that were so deeply buried I had to go and find them in the dust. 🙏🏻🍄
I'm truly and deeply committed to the love affair I'm having with myself (and God - and what I mean by that is very different from what people think I mean). And I have lots to say about this too. All in good time.
Right now I'm processing, integrating, and writing. I'm not sure how long I'll be here. I am in full surrender to my Path, but I do know I'll be in J-Bay in September.
For now, my heart is full, and so is my suitcase. I need new luggage. 😂😂
Don't forget, my darlings, YOU ARE THE ALGORITHM.
Choose your channels and set your settings.
See you in the slip stream.
Stella
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