Hi Reader,

If you've been with me for a while, you know I'm not much of a New Year's resolution person. In my business, I prefer quarterly planning to stay nimble and responsive to all the changes these past few years.

In my personal life, I get inspired when I get inspired. Forcing goals on myself just because the calendar turned over doesn't match my energy. And as a parent, much of my life revolves around the school calendar anyway.

And if I can be candid, how much fixing do we really need? I actually don't think anyone's broken no matter what the self-improvement industry would have us believe.

My friend Kari told me the other day that her theme for January will be "New Year; Same You." 👈 This.

If you're like Kari and me and not feelin' it, have you considered a Word of the Year?

Think of a word of the year as a guide star, pointing you gently in the direction you want to go. Guide stars can also help you with decision-making (i.e., What choice would move me closer to my word?)

Or it could be a theme like Kari's that you use to flavor your perceptions and interactions. Theme-based words might help you calibrate your actions throughout the year.

At the risk of overselling this idea and making it too hard to come up with a word, I'll add that this exercise is another approach to foregrounding a value you hold dearly.

Sold? I wrote up a little worksheet to help you divine your word(s) for 2024.

When I sat down to do this exercise the other day, my resonant words related to growth and expansion. I settled on.... 🥁

Bloom 🌺

What I LOOOOVE about this word is that it reflects something approaching its peak maturation phase. However, there's still an opening and expansive quality, too. Not yet done, but coming into fullness.

A few things are already budding over here:

~ I'll celebrate a Major Milestone Birthday in 2024. Literally blooming.

~ I've enrolled in a 2yr post-graduate diploma program in Positive Psychology and Coaching. I loooove learning and being in learning environments so much. Can't be more excited.

~ Rediscovering the pride of my inner kindergartner. Below is a photo of my first-ever attempt at a watercolor painting. And while it's definitely amateur hour, it's not bad, right?

I was giggling all the way home like a five-year-old ready to show off my work to anyone looking. I'll keep playing around with watercolor this year because it was so delightful.

If you come up with a Word of the Year, I'd love to hear it. Hit reply and tell me what yours is. I have this idea to make a word cloud that I could share with everyone if I get enough responses. Actually, I'm starting to feel a bit attached to this idea, so please send me your word. ;-)
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From Skillful Means Podcast

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Parts Mapping in the New Year 🥳

Doing big things can be provocative for our inner protectors, but that doesn't mean you have to give up. If you've got big plans brewing for the new year, consider some Parts Mapping sessions to surface Parts that'll need support along the way. Parts Mapping is one of my super powers (thank you ADHD and HSP) and I looooove helping people get unstuck with this tool. I've got a few spots open for January and February. Grab your spot.

Practice Yoga Virtually With Me

⛄️ Yin Yoga & Mindfulness Holiday Schedule 🎄 ​Because Christmas & New Year both fall on Mondays this season, I'm teaching an alternate schedule. I'd love to see you in the Zoom room. ​ Monday, Dec 18, 2023, 6:30-7:30pm ET/NYC Thursday, Dec 28, 2023, 6:30-7:30pm ET/NYC Thursday, Jan 4, 2023, 6:30-7:30pm ET/NYC ​Click here to sign up by donation. We'll be back to our usual Monday cadence on Jan 8.

Wishing you a safe and wonderful holiday season! See you in 2024!