Remember that one time a New Year began, but we all decided that we’d done enough in 2022 — so we chose to just spend 2023 resting?
Doesn’t sound familiar? Let’s just imagine it, then.
I promise this isn’t a moment where I’m going to sell you on setting goals. I haven’t entered a New Year with resolutions in quite some time, but there’s something about the calendar changing (even if I often reference time as a man-made concept) that makes me want to get my house in order.
Hence, I’m trying to be more intentional about loving my body (while leaving room for that to show up in various ways - whether it’s eating better, working out, affirming myself in the mirror, etc.) and engaging my audience in a way that’s most beneficial to them. Again, I’m leaving wiggle room here. So, that could be monthly newsletters where I check in briefly and offer food for thought. It could be more consistent posting on social media or diversifying the workshops I offer, etc.
The last week of 2022 pulled a few fast punches. So, focusing on those intentions has helped me regain my footing after spending a few days feeling like I was slipping. I spent WAY too much time back at home with my parents, and my nervous system was extremely unimpressed by that choice. Typically, my visit is over by the time I’ve hit my wall, but this holiday season I stayed longer than I have in a long while (making up for all the distance experienced during the height of the pandemic, I suppose).
Consequently, I entered the new year with some funk on me that I was struggling to shake off. So much so that I had to revisit my old bag of tricks to pull myself out of the rabbit hole.
NOTE: my old bag of tricks means making a list in my notes app, with as many grounding practices as I can remember and trying to do as many as humanly possible each day. That list includes daily Bile devotionals, walking or working out, meditating, reading at night, and writing out a verse that declares one of God’s promises. I’m perpetually grateful for the moments where I’m reminded that what I needed to center myself is already at my disposal. So, I’m just passing the message on should anyone else forget just how many tools they have in their toolkit.
I was especially grateful for the ways I’ve started exploring breath work, because I found myself doing a 4 count on the phone with my friends more than once while home. In a devastating turn of events, one of my closest friends lost the father of her children. Being close in proximity to her was the bright spot in over staying my welcome with my parents. I also created a GoFundMe in hopes of cushioning her transition and allowing her family time to grieve without interruption or concern for financial stability. If you’re able to contribute anything toward that experience, I’m extremely grateful. If you’re able to share it with your network, I double down on that expression of gratitude.
Being present with her during this season really has me reflecting on what it means to be of service to my loved ones and my community. I want to expand my vision of what’s possible when it comes to the work that I do. So, I’m also interested in hearing back from anyone that’s ever taken a course of mine or was interested in doing so but opted out. I’ve never offered self-paced courses, but I’m thinking of doing something in that wheelhouse. If there’s a specific topic you’d be interested in hearing more about from me, please reply to this and let me know. As I’m narrowing down what type of offerings feel aligned, that type of feedback would really propel me forward.
When I had the thought to check-in with those following my newsletter (and subsequently share it on my blog) it really was with the intent to simply check-in. So, if this reads like a rant - it was one :) I hope whenever you read this, you’re in the thick of having whatever type of day you need. And I hope that day is bookended with restfulness and joy. I really do.