It's Jan 25th and I am still easing into 2024

Direction is more important than speed

It’s my first time choosing to ease into a new year instead of diving head-first.

Often, January starts with a “bang”–a countdown to midnight marking the beginning of a race that lasts 12 months; a race many of us are not prepared for. We all sprint towards a ‘better’ us and the numerous goals we have set for ourselves. Some of us are running away from the previous year, and some of us are running towards a change that we crave.

January is full of hope, mixed with dread and fatigue (fully knowing that the sudden speed and alterations are unsustainable). Most of us haven’t recovered from the chaos of the holiday season, yet we are trying to “set the pace” for the year to come. 

So, I tried something different. I took it easy and stopped the cycle of exhaustion and forced expectations. I didn’t start going to the gym on January 1st (I still haven’t, actually), I didn’t meal prep or have a thought-out meal until yesterday, I didn’t say yes to a new project, and I even took two extended weekend vacations within the first month of the year (Thursday-Sunday) gasp! because I didn’t take time off during the holidays. 

Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria

Now, it’s almost the end of the month, and here I am, not having “accomplished” anything. Except for rest, grounding, and regulation… I think that counts for something? (At least, that’s what I have to keep telling myself). 

It was challenging to see everyone sprint as I began to mosey. It went against my personality, and it really bumped up against my anxiety. That being said, I had a month to figure out what I wanted this year to look like and which values I wanted to shape my year:

• Health (mental and physical)

  • We often don’t pay attention to our health until we struggle. Really paying attention to the mind/body connection is vital. Watching how I nurture my body, how much I move, how much I sleep, what I watch and listen to, how much stress I allow, what chemicals I put on my body, etc, is all going to be part of 2024.

• Connection (self and others)

  • Last year, I had an awakening. Regardless of what I accomplish in life, what matters most to me are my connections and relationships. Yes, yes, I know it’s obvious but I didn’t truly understand it till recently. Amidst the striving for accomplishments and success, we tend to sacrifice the time it takes to cultivate intimacy and understanding of our Selves and others.

• Creativity and expression

  • I want to lean into the fact that life is about trial and error. I want to create and express, try and fail. I want to engage and interact with the world to its full capacity–focusing on the process and not just the outcome. 

• Growth

  • I don’t want to be the same person 12 months from now. I am really enjoying who I am; I am proud of her. She is the version that feels the most aligned, but I hope that a year from now, I have expanded and changed in ways that make me fall even more deeply in love with who I am. In ways that lead me to feeling even more honest and authentic.

• Discomfort

  • An important value for me is learning to sit with discomfort (not pain). I don’t want to avoid opportunities, conversations, or changes just to avoid discomfort. In discomfort, we grow, learn, fail, adjust, and edit. When unfamiliar or daunting opportunities present themselves, we have an opportunity to learn something new about our Selves and the world.

  There is no point beginning the race if you don’t know where you’re running to. The prep time is just as important.

Take a deep breath.

Ease, 

flow, 

be.

You heard it here first:

• I am staring a journalling guide/challenge!! Journaling prompts will be included with my paid subscription on substack. You will get bi-monthly (twice a month) questions to help you turn inward and connect with your Self. I will be in the comment section sharing journaling tips and answering questions! Maybe even sending some voice memos. I am hoping to do this for six months but if we love it, I might extend!

• I developed a course for Simon Sinek’s platform called: How to build strong relationships at work. It’s now available!!

• My book “It’s On Me” is ON SALE for £0.99. If you like using a Kindle and are in the UK this is for you!

• Have you gotten my daily calendar for 2024? It’s such a fun way to get insight and encouragment, while decorate your desk.