Wonderful to have you back for 2023, Brooke! I'm so glad you had time for what you needed over the break from work. I love the picture of life being like a stack of pancakes! Some parts are tastier or fluffier than others but they all make up the whole feast.
The concept of 1% is so good and it's an idea that really resonates with me on my journey through burnout. I feel sometimes I am prone to jump head first into some grand goal that then just feels like pressure and a burden. Focusing more on just a little every day is far kinder and sustainable. Then when we look back over a period of time we can see that all those little bits did actually add up to something.
As I've said before I love your work and it has been life-changing for me. I always turn to you writing / podcasts for wisdom, insight and the vital tips for living simply and slowly. As Shireen said I also would love for you to revisit some of the foundations of slow living, I don't think it always has to be 'new' content to have meaning. We never absorb everything first time round (at least I don't!). A couple of my values are learning and growth so I will soak up anything you have to share!
This world and its current problems are often overwhelming so I really do appreciate this space and the community of people who are here.
Oooooooh I ♥️ listening to your newsletter. Thank you so much. Because I started listening to your podcast, receiving your newsletter via audio is the bee’s knees for me 🐝
1% resonates for me. I’ve completed a vision board with STRONG being the word that resonated for me. I’m going to add 1% because that also resonates.
What would I like?
Connection & community are central to how I live my life. These two values are where I live from every day. The way I see this happening from you dear Brooke is... I’d appreciate tips for slow living, even if it’s what you’ve shared before, because often in the hustle-bustle of life I forget stuff. Small, bite-sized chunks. I also enjoy all your podcasts and appreciate all the content.
Thank you for your intentionality 🙏🏻 Here’s to 1% in 2023 🥰
Strong! I love this! And thank you for the insight into what feels important to you. I think there’s something so powerful about connection and community, and honestly needed the reminder that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to slow living. So thank YOU X
Hi Brooke, I really liked listening - hearing your voice read your words was lovely. Happy new year to you too 😊 We are well underway this week too and headlong into ‘real’ life rather than limbo and glorious holiday time. Limbo between primary and high school for my youngest too. And yes, how the hell?? I’ve tried to be smiling because it happened, not sad that it’s over, but gosh it was an emotional last week of primary school. And a long week this week navigating change and newness and a new routine and logistics. I wonder if it’s the same in your house? Frankly, I’m hoping 2023 is a fresh start after the shitstorm that was 2022. I’d just like to be on a more even keel. Loving the notion of 1%, that could be a good one to try out, thank you, as always, for sharing.
PS Oh, and we celebrated new year watching the 9.30 fireworks on Brighton beach (SA). First time since 2019/20, it was quite special and a beautiful evening to be lying on the beach, watching the sunset and the stars.
Sounds like we’re in very similar places kid-wise right now. Big changes, big feelings, lots of patience needed as we settle in to new seasons. I’m pretty ready for a fresh start too though, so the change is very very welcome. I hope the next few weeks are smooth for you all! 💚
And for you too. Enjoy the weekend. I’ve just had my first two days off and the house to myself for the first time in well over 6 months. God it was good!!
Feb 2, 2023·edited Feb 2, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're offering your newsletter with audio has brought tears to my eyes. Audio is such a help to differently-abled persons and I am so grateful. Please keep doing this. I haven't even heard past the caveat of unedited with dog noises part. I am sure this will be even better. It is like being there with you and even more personal than a scripted and edited version. Thanks for embracing life in its messy glory. Now... on to listening to the rest. I am so excited!
Thanks so much Gayle - it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but was never organised enough. (Not a great excuse!) I hope you enjoyed listening and I can’t wait to do it again for next weeks post. 💚
What a beautiful, hopeful, positive newsletter to start 2023 on! I'm very excited for the plans you've shared - they sound delightfully slow and I am here for them and for you 100(x1)%. It would be lovely to hear, both from you and this wonderful community, all the myriad ways we all (try to) find intentionality and slow living in every day, because we're all unique and it looks different for us all. As for the weeds - maybe Karine Polwart's song 'Take its own time' could apply here: "You abandoned the pruning shears and welcomed each weed/You permitted the soil to select its own seed/But it would be unfair to assume you don't care/For you pay great attention to all that grows there/You simply abstain from a plan or design/You just let it all hang out and take its own time". 💕
I’m a big believer in following the energy and there seems to be a lot heading in the direction of everyday slow living, so I’m going to spend some time thinking on that. Thank you!
And double thank you for Karine Polwart’s lyrics! I’ve never heard it before but those words are so perfect 💚
Jane, thank you so much for sharing those lyrics. They are beautiful and made me cry! I hadn’t heard of Karine Polwart before but I’ve listened to a few pieces now and love them (and she’s Scottish like me!!!!). X
Yay! I love sharing music, so I'm delighted you like it, although I'm sorry it made you cry! Her sound is so varied and her lyrics always so relevant, I feel like she has a lot to offer many people.
Dear Brooke what a wonderful idea! I Love to read your newsletters but listen to them really made my day ♥️
To have the friendly reminder to take things Slow is like the first flower in spring. I am so greateful for everything you share. Looking forward to get a copy of CARE as my wedding aniversary present 😌 Love and light Mimi
I really enjoyed doing it, and can see that there’s a need/want for more, so I’ll definitely be adding the audio option to all my posts from here on xx
Thank you so much - soo glad to have you back for slow-living guidance & reminders, even if only in bits and pieces. I put an order in for Care through my local indy bookstore in Presque Isle, Maine as soon as I finished listening!
Yes! That’s what I love about it too. It feels so small as to be insignificant, but the real power is in how accessible it as. And I’m all about that slow, plodding progress
I agree with the comments about the 1%. I remember hearing about a yoga studio that had a year of not improving. There was no push to get stronger, more flexible or thinner. It’s amazing how quickly that pushing mindset creeps in. The pressure to improve, produce more, learn more and be more. It’s exhausting. I love the ideas that you shared. I’d love to be a part of a community that supports slow, simplicity and sustainability. One that values self care and ease. I think that you have already cultivated that through the podcast and your books. I’m excited to dive into Care to engage in your words more. Thank you. 🙋♀️✨😊👍
I read your newsletter today but am keen to try the audio version next week.
I don’t care how you present/what you do, everything you do reminds me to take a breathe and pause and savour life so I am looking forward to hearing from you more this year! ❤️
My word for the year is calm. As usual I started the year wanting to do ‘all the things’ but I have just entered my third trimester with my first baby and my body is telling me I have to slow down. From carpal tunnel which is making me take a break from crochet (by far the worst pregnancy symptom!) to back pain that means I need help carrying the washing, I am also focusing more on yoga and meditation to prepare my body! And reminding myself that it is not ‘a year off from work’ and not to try and fill it with goals. There is only one goal - keep the baby alive! 😂
I also learnt about chip-away goals this year which I think fit in to the 1% rule wonderfully. It is a list of tasks that you can chip away with over time so that when you find yourself in the mood you can look at the list and not procrastinate over what to do (chip away goals for me include ironing, catching up on email newsletters, reading books and magazines in my ‘to read’ pile). And if you only spend 5min on your chip away goal, that’s fine! Because you chipped away at it!
Chip away goals.... What a fantastic concept! Congratulations on the baby, and here's to a calm third trimester!! (I can recommend the book The Mindful Mother - it's the perfect thing to read to remind you to go easy on yourself 💕)
It is instead 'a year to enjoy my baby'. My baby has just started kindy, and my eldest is in year 6, people always tell you to enjoy them while they're little, which is sometimes hard to do, but smokes do they grow up fast!
Thank you Brooke and Happy New Year 😉 I had used the 1% for business before but love 💕 the idea of applying it to slow and steady progress in home life !
We just spent a month visiting friends and family on the other side of the world after not seeing them for 6 years. We crammed in a lot of visiting over 10 different locations but somehow the time at each visit was stretched out as we were solely focussed on the people we had come to see. It was also weird when seeing those special friends, the ones where it feels like you’re just picking up right where you left off and time in between visits seems to have collapsed 🤔.
As far as content this year, any thoughts and tips are always so welcome - I’d just say don’t make it too hard on yourself. Anything you share is sent out onto the world with such integrity and honesty which, somehow, gives me permission to be more honest with myself and loved ones about what is going on with me. Thank you.
hi Brooke, I'm a big fan of your life slow philosophy. I want to advice you and your community in digital place to make a month zoom meeting to share a process and ideas how every one make and live his slow life. I would be glad :)
Ohhhh I’m loving the audio clip…feels like a mini cheeky podcast! Being a first time mum with an 8 week old it was great to listen to the newsletter…and hearing another adult voice during the day haha
The 1% idea also resonated, as I’m struggling to get through/achieve much of anything these days. But a 15min pocket of time each day I can surely carve out and do something for me!
Thank you and welcome back…can’t wait for the poggy!
Wonderful to have you back for 2023, Brooke! I'm so glad you had time for what you needed over the break from work. I love the picture of life being like a stack of pancakes! Some parts are tastier or fluffier than others but they all make up the whole feast.
The concept of 1% is so good and it's an idea that really resonates with me on my journey through burnout. I feel sometimes I am prone to jump head first into some grand goal that then just feels like pressure and a burden. Focusing more on just a little every day is far kinder and sustainable. Then when we look back over a period of time we can see that all those little bits did actually add up to something.
As I've said before I love your work and it has been life-changing for me. I always turn to you writing / podcasts for wisdom, insight and the vital tips for living simply and slowly. As Shireen said I also would love for you to revisit some of the foundations of slow living, I don't think it always has to be 'new' content to have meaning. We never absorb everything first time round (at least I don't!). A couple of my values are learning and growth so I will soak up anything you have to share!
This world and its current problems are often overwhelming so I really do appreciate this space and the community of people who are here.
xx
Thanks so much Carolyn, this is so kind and super helpful as I try to figure out what this year will look like. So so happy to have you here x
so very beautifully said Carolyn 🌻
Oooooooh I ♥️ listening to your newsletter. Thank you so much. Because I started listening to your podcast, receiving your newsletter via audio is the bee’s knees for me 🐝
1% resonates for me. I’ve completed a vision board with STRONG being the word that resonated for me. I’m going to add 1% because that also resonates.
What would I like?
Connection & community are central to how I live my life. These two values are where I live from every day. The way I see this happening from you dear Brooke is... I’d appreciate tips for slow living, even if it’s what you’ve shared before, because often in the hustle-bustle of life I forget stuff. Small, bite-sized chunks. I also enjoy all your podcasts and appreciate all the content.
Thank you for your intentionality 🙏🏻 Here’s to 1% in 2023 🥰
Strong! I love this! And thank you for the insight into what feels important to you. I think there’s something so powerful about connection and community, and honestly needed the reminder that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to slow living. So thank YOU X
*snap* Shireen!
My chosen word was/is Strength ☺️
Hi Brooke, I really liked listening - hearing your voice read your words was lovely. Happy new year to you too 😊 We are well underway this week too and headlong into ‘real’ life rather than limbo and glorious holiday time. Limbo between primary and high school for my youngest too. And yes, how the hell?? I’ve tried to be smiling because it happened, not sad that it’s over, but gosh it was an emotional last week of primary school. And a long week this week navigating change and newness and a new routine and logistics. I wonder if it’s the same in your house? Frankly, I’m hoping 2023 is a fresh start after the shitstorm that was 2022. I’d just like to be on a more even keel. Loving the notion of 1%, that could be a good one to try out, thank you, as always, for sharing.
PS Oh, and we celebrated new year watching the 9.30 fireworks on Brighton beach (SA). First time since 2019/20, it was quite special and a beautiful evening to be lying on the beach, watching the sunset and the stars.
Sounds like we’re in very similar places kid-wise right now. Big changes, big feelings, lots of patience needed as we settle in to new seasons. I’m pretty ready for a fresh start too though, so the change is very very welcome. I hope the next few weeks are smooth for you all! 💚
And for you too. Enjoy the weekend. I’ve just had my first two days off and the house to myself for the first time in well over 6 months. God it was good!!
For those with kids starting high school you may like the books by Claire Eaton, especially “Hello High School” 💕
Thanks Amelia, I’ll look that up. I do already have one in HS but he was 15 months older when he started - it’s a big difference!
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're offering your newsletter with audio has brought tears to my eyes. Audio is such a help to differently-abled persons and I am so grateful. Please keep doing this. I haven't even heard past the caveat of unedited with dog noises part. I am sure this will be even better. It is like being there with you and even more personal than a scripted and edited version. Thanks for embracing life in its messy glory. Now... on to listening to the rest. I am so excited!
Thanks so much Gayle - it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but was never organised enough. (Not a great excuse!) I hope you enjoyed listening and I can’t wait to do it again for next weeks post. 💚
What a beautiful, hopeful, positive newsletter to start 2023 on! I'm very excited for the plans you've shared - they sound delightfully slow and I am here for them and for you 100(x1)%. It would be lovely to hear, both from you and this wonderful community, all the myriad ways we all (try to) find intentionality and slow living in every day, because we're all unique and it looks different for us all. As for the weeds - maybe Karine Polwart's song 'Take its own time' could apply here: "You abandoned the pruning shears and welcomed each weed/You permitted the soil to select its own seed/But it would be unfair to assume you don't care/For you pay great attention to all that grows there/You simply abstain from a plan or design/You just let it all hang out and take its own time". 💕
I’m a big believer in following the energy and there seems to be a lot heading in the direction of everyday slow living, so I’m going to spend some time thinking on that. Thank you!
And double thank you for Karine Polwart’s lyrics! I’ve never heard it before but those words are so perfect 💚
Jane, thank you so much for sharing those lyrics. They are beautiful and made me cry! I hadn’t heard of Karine Polwart before but I’ve listened to a few pieces now and love them (and she’s Scottish like me!!!!). X
Yay! I love sharing music, so I'm delighted you like it, although I'm sorry it made you cry! Her sound is so varied and her lyrics always so relevant, I feel like she has a lot to offer many people.
Dear Brooke what a wonderful idea! I Love to read your newsletters but listen to them really made my day ♥️
To have the friendly reminder to take things Slow is like the first flower in spring. I am so greateful for everything you share. Looking forward to get a copy of CARE as my wedding aniversary present 😌 Love and light Mimi
Thank you so much Mimi! And happy anniversary 💚 I’m so honoured x
Absofreakinlutely fabulous that youve been kind enough to make this an audible newsletter!
Thankyou so very much. 🙌🏼👏🏼🙏🏼
I’m loving being able to listen to the newsletter while I relax into doing the dishes.
Just beautiful... 💛
FocusOnSimple 🌿
You’re so welcome! I love the image of hanging out in your kitchen, having a chat. Makes me so happy 💚
Yaaay! This was great!!! Loved being able to listen while cooking dinner - more of this please ❤️❤️
I really enjoyed doing it, and can see that there’s a need/want for more, so I’ll definitely be adding the audio option to all my posts from here on xx
Thank you so much - soo glad to have you back for slow-living guidance & reminders, even if only in bits and pieces. I put an order in for Care through my local indy bookstore in Presque Isle, Maine as soon as I finished listening!
The 1% principle sounds truly sustainable. Show up just a little more each day. And imagine the end of the year, what that yields. I like it!
Yes! That’s what I love about it too. It feels so small as to be insignificant, but the real power is in how accessible it as. And I’m all about that slow, plodding progress
I agree with the comments about the 1%. I remember hearing about a yoga studio that had a year of not improving. There was no push to get stronger, more flexible or thinner. It’s amazing how quickly that pushing mindset creeps in. The pressure to improve, produce more, learn more and be more. It’s exhausting. I love the ideas that you shared. I’d love to be a part of a community that supports slow, simplicity and sustainability. One that values self care and ease. I think that you have already cultivated that through the podcast and your books. I’m excited to dive into Care to engage in your words more. Thank you. 🙋♀️✨😊👍
I read your newsletter today but am keen to try the audio version next week.
I don’t care how you present/what you do, everything you do reminds me to take a breathe and pause and savour life so I am looking forward to hearing from you more this year! ❤️
My word for the year is calm. As usual I started the year wanting to do ‘all the things’ but I have just entered my third trimester with my first baby and my body is telling me I have to slow down. From carpal tunnel which is making me take a break from crochet (by far the worst pregnancy symptom!) to back pain that means I need help carrying the washing, I am also focusing more on yoga and meditation to prepare my body! And reminding myself that it is not ‘a year off from work’ and not to try and fill it with goals. There is only one goal - keep the baby alive! 😂
I also learnt about chip-away goals this year which I think fit in to the 1% rule wonderfully. It is a list of tasks that you can chip away with over time so that when you find yourself in the mood you can look at the list and not procrastinate over what to do (chip away goals for me include ironing, catching up on email newsletters, reading books and magazines in my ‘to read’ pile). And if you only spend 5min on your chip away goal, that’s fine! Because you chipped away at it!
Chip away goals.... What a fantastic concept! Congratulations on the baby, and here's to a calm third trimester!! (I can recommend the book The Mindful Mother - it's the perfect thing to read to remind you to go easy on yourself 💕)
It is instead 'a year to enjoy my baby'. My baby has just started kindy, and my eldest is in year 6, people always tell you to enjoy them while they're little, which is sometimes hard to do, but smokes do they grow up fast!
Thank you Brooke and Happy New Year 😉 I had used the 1% for business before but love 💕 the idea of applying it to slow and steady progress in home life !
We just spent a month visiting friends and family on the other side of the world after not seeing them for 6 years. We crammed in a lot of visiting over 10 different locations but somehow the time at each visit was stretched out as we were solely focussed on the people we had come to see. It was also weird when seeing those special friends, the ones where it feels like you’re just picking up right where you left off and time in between visits seems to have collapsed 🤔.
As far as content this year, any thoughts and tips are always so welcome - I’d just say don’t make it too hard on yourself. Anything you share is sent out onto the world with such integrity and honesty which, somehow, gives me permission to be more honest with myself and loved ones about what is going on with me. Thank you.
hi Brooke, I'm a big fan of your life slow philosophy. I want to advice you and your community in digital place to make a month zoom meeting to share a process and ideas how every one make and live his slow life. I would be glad :)
many thx, Shirley
Ohhhh I’m loving the audio clip…feels like a mini cheeky podcast! Being a first time mum with an 8 week old it was great to listen to the newsletter…and hearing another adult voice during the day haha
The 1% idea also resonated, as I’m struggling to get through/achieve much of anything these days. But a 15min pocket of time each day I can surely carve out and do something for me!
Thank you and welcome back…can’t wait for the poggy!