REST AND CELEBRATE. PLUS: MY 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Writing this from a large comfy armchair perched by the window at my parents-in-law up in Northern California near Lassen Mountains. It’s been snowing every day, and it’s a true winter wonderland out there.
My husband Arran and I have been doing this routine every day in the past week - we snowshoe till we find a downslope, I then take the lead and carve a fresh track through the trees with my snowshoes, and he then puts on his snowboard and goes down, with our dog Freya running after him. When we climbed back up the hill yesterday, we both stopped looking at the small snowflakes falling gently from the sky. There was no wind, no sound other than our own breathing. It was magical. One of those moments when you’re aware of the marvelous nature around, and hope that this moment could last forever.
I love the peace and quiet of this time of the year. I truly hope you have been able to slow down to rest and celebrate. And when the New Year rings in, I hope you raise a glass to all your work, your life, yourSelf right now. We have to give ourselves props before we ask of ourselves to kick it into high gear again next year, people!
Here is what I recommend:
1. Find a solid hour of doing nothing other than resting (a shower, aromatic bubble bath, lit a candle, put on your favorite music).
2. Find a quiet, comfy spot in your house. Grab your journal and jot down any 2021 accomplishments that you’re proud of, big or small - aim for 20 items!
Here is my full list:
Started a podcast called Tits Up! with my daughter Chloe - we discuss each episode of our favorite show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. If you’re a fan of the show, check it out!
I’ve made a conscious effort to keep up my positive attitude no matter what. I started a ‘proud log’ which I did a few months in a row and I want to keep doing it more regularly in the new year. I took a spiritual coach which really helped me learn how to remove pain and negative energy from my body.
I meditated more (my favorite app is InsightTimer, I learned breathing techniques which I want to perfect further. I like using the Diaphragmatic Breathing from Reiki, which circulates air throughout the body.
I discovered Eckhart Tolle and listening to his conversations with Oprah about his book A New Earth really lifted my spirits. I absolutely loved listening to their talks while riding my bike to the beach and back home each day.
We moved to Santa Barbara! I’ve been wanting to find a smaller cute town for over a decade! I’m surprised how much I love SB (who knew? I always loved Northern Cali but my heart picked this place in SoCal!) . It was a very difficult family move but I’m happy we did it.
I learned about Emotional Intelligence and have used it in my coaching and with myself. It will become a significant foundation of the group coaching programs going forward.
I biked a lot every day when I could, and that has really made me happy
I have my own office, and loved decorating it and setting it up.
Made some new friends, new soul sisters!
Spent some quality time together as a family! We spent 6 weeks in Tahoe at the beginning of the year, another 6 weeks in Romania and Italy over the summer.
My relationship with mom flourished
Managed to keep growing my business despite little to no marketing efforts.
Arran and I went on weekly dates since we moved to SB, loved seeing Phish at the Rose Bowl
I took a wonderful Memoir writing class, I started to get energized again about my book
My coaching craft got so much better. I created a new Manage In & out framework which helps me and my coaching a lot. Clients made real shifts.
I started coaching through BetterUp!! That lead to many rewarding coaching sessions!
I knitted two awesome blankets!! And made two crocheted bags! Love me some crafting.
Loved going to the Santa Barbara farmers market with my girls every Saturday - and meeting sweet farmers and taking classes! Perfect Saturday ritual.
I started volunteering with TCFS that offers coaching to nonprofit leaders, impact entrepreneurs, activists, rocket scientists, artists. I coached two awesome women!
I’ve been generally calmer than in the past, more accepting of myself, and I want to continue this trend of gently rising to meet my highest vision. I’m proud of myself, of who I’m becoming.
3. Look through your list and jot down how it makes you feel. Allow that energy of self-appreciation and pride to run through your body. YOU created these things! You are a master dream-plan-action creator! Take that in, sit with it, breathe it in. You are an amazing human.
4. I love doing this next step - look at your list and mark which of those accomplishments truly GAVE you energy. Now create a short list of those things. Side note - these are the things that you’ll want to do more of next year; more on this in my January newsletter.
I wonder if the snow loves the trees and the fields, that it kisses them so gently?
And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again”
- Lewis Caroll
Wishing you a marvelous time resting, snuggling, and celebrating!
