Ooh I love looking back and celebrating. I have only just thought to do it now Brooke, having read your post, so my reflections might not be fully formed! Straight away I know one thing that was fabulous... I took term 3 'off' (I called it a sabbatical.) It was a much needed rest from teaching yoga and workshops etc. I felt like I was racing around doing all of the things, none of them felt all that genuine or deep or nourishing. I was ticking a lot of boxes.
That sabbatical was great, if not a little uncomfortable - settling in to being a mother, and a friend, and a sister, and a wife and generally spending a lot of time in my own company. This is also, come to think of it, when I stopped watching or reading the news. That's not a coincidence...
And the best bit is that I didn't jump back into all of the things this term. Having that break felt so nice and from that experience I was able to pick up only what I wanted to, and left quite a few things behind. I realised that I love teaching yoga and Ayurveda and maybe all of the other stuff was getting in the way (canteen duty will have to wait for another year!!)
There is definitely a nagging voice that says 'You should be making more money' and I will continue to listen, see where it's coming from, have conversations with my husband and take one day at a time. We have enough money.
I have taken up a daily Yoga Nidra practice, which is really helping to release tension from my body and let my mind rest too. It's been a game changer.
So I am thinking 'rest' and 'discomfort' are two pretty prominent feelings for this year (at least the second half - my memories of the early months in 2023 are a bit hazy!)
I'll go back to my journal and roll around with a few more thoughts and feelings, and right now, as I write this, I feel very proud of myself for making these decisions that have really helped me to thrive.
I've taken so much inspiration from you and how you live, Cherie. I know we often think what we do doesn't matter beyond our own circle, but it does. Your choices and the way you share them creates ripples in the world that cause their own changes. So grateful to you this year (and so grateful we connected all those years ago on the phone!!) 💚💚
Hi Brooke I loved your 2023 reflections and your way of noticing. I thank you for generous offer of 25 % off subscriptions however, I’m leaving my subscription at the higher rate because your subscription is more than reasonable anyway and I subscribe to support your honesty and courage in your writing. Happy holidays to you and your family.
That's so kind, Olga. Thank you! I'm so grateful to have you here this year and can't wait to see what next year brings. Happiest of holidays to you and your loved ones too 💚💚
My day has been changed completely by reading this as I sip my morning cuppa. What beautiful and honest reflections - I can certainly relate. The paragraph on time!! It gave me alll the feels! You captured it so perfectly. Will be sharing this far and wide. Thank you for adding a bit of calm delight in this otherwise noisy and chaotic world. 🙏✨🤍
Great reflections and I love your thoughts on time, Brooke. And I'm intrigued by the 1% approach, I'll keep an eye out for Sunday's post. I have been reflecting here and there in my journal, but normally leave the big chunk of it until after Christmas. This year, I've even designed Moodle Maps for others to use as reflective tools. I may share one, when I post my own reflections later.
Thanks Debs! Please feel free to join us for the 1% experiment next year if you're keen on playing around with the power of slow, small change. I've loved it this year and am excited to see what next year's iteration looks like. 💚
I love your reflection Brooke and thank you for being so insightful and honest - it plants many seeds and creates much for me to think about. I do a lot of reflecting through my journal as I really feel it's the best way for me to see progress but also to notice recurring challenges. You are a blessing to my day 💚
Journaling is the best way for me to process too Carolyn. I love looking back over a journal or logbook to see progress or change, it's a reminder of where we began and where we're going (and a reminder that the path usually doesn't look like we expected it to!) 💚💚
I'm also going to keep my subscription as-is. I've been listening and reading for so long and I've gotten so much from everything you and Ben have experimented with and put out there that it's the very least I can do.
This year has mostly just been a big blur of work, conflict, tension, indecision and force. Lots of shoulds and whys and railing against societal norms. It's not necessarily a bad thing and I don't regret anything. This year has kind of just been a big build up before a cleansing storm, which I do recognise is an ironic analogy given the cyclone and subsequent flooding in my town 🙃
That's so kind Candice, thank you! I feel like this year has been massive for you, and hope the new year brings you some peace and space in which to experience the cleansing storm. (Figuratively!!) xx
Olga, I am following your example 🤍 I will leave my subscription at the same rate. I am so grateful for your amazing work dear Brooke. Sending a warm hug from a cold Winter morning from Germany.
Ooh I love looking back and celebrating. I have only just thought to do it now Brooke, having read your post, so my reflections might not be fully formed! Straight away I know one thing that was fabulous... I took term 3 'off' (I called it a sabbatical.) It was a much needed rest from teaching yoga and workshops etc. I felt like I was racing around doing all of the things, none of them felt all that genuine or deep or nourishing. I was ticking a lot of boxes.
That sabbatical was great, if not a little uncomfortable - settling in to being a mother, and a friend, and a sister, and a wife and generally spending a lot of time in my own company. This is also, come to think of it, when I stopped watching or reading the news. That's not a coincidence...
And the best bit is that I didn't jump back into all of the things this term. Having that break felt so nice and from that experience I was able to pick up only what I wanted to, and left quite a few things behind. I realised that I love teaching yoga and Ayurveda and maybe all of the other stuff was getting in the way (canteen duty will have to wait for another year!!)
There is definitely a nagging voice that says 'You should be making more money' and I will continue to listen, see where it's coming from, have conversations with my husband and take one day at a time. We have enough money.
I have taken up a daily Yoga Nidra practice, which is really helping to release tension from my body and let my mind rest too. It's been a game changer.
So I am thinking 'rest' and 'discomfort' are two pretty prominent feelings for this year (at least the second half - my memories of the early months in 2023 are a bit hazy!)
I'll go back to my journal and roll around with a few more thoughts and feelings, and right now, as I write this, I feel very proud of myself for making these decisions that have really helped me to thrive.
Sending you all love,
Cherie
I've taken so much inspiration from you and how you live, Cherie. I know we often think what we do doesn't matter beyond our own circle, but it does. Your choices and the way you share them creates ripples in the world that cause their own changes. So grateful to you this year (and so grateful we connected all those years ago on the phone!!) 💚💚
Hi Brooke I loved your 2023 reflections and your way of noticing. I thank you for generous offer of 25 % off subscriptions however, I’m leaving my subscription at the higher rate because your subscription is more than reasonable anyway and I subscribe to support your honesty and courage in your writing. Happy holidays to you and your family.
That's so kind, Olga. Thank you! I'm so grateful to have you here this year and can't wait to see what next year brings. Happiest of holidays to you and your loved ones too 💚💚
My day has been changed completely by reading this as I sip my morning cuppa. What beautiful and honest reflections - I can certainly relate. The paragraph on time!! It gave me alll the feels! You captured it so perfectly. Will be sharing this far and wide. Thank you for adding a bit of calm delight in this otherwise noisy and chaotic world. 🙏✨🤍
Thank you so much for being here, for commenting, for sharing - it's such a joy to be part of this community. 💚💚
Great reflections and I love your thoughts on time, Brooke. And I'm intrigued by the 1% approach, I'll keep an eye out for Sunday's post. I have been reflecting here and there in my journal, but normally leave the big chunk of it until after Christmas. This year, I've even designed Moodle Maps for others to use as reflective tools. I may share one, when I post my own reflections later.
Thanks Debs! Please feel free to join us for the 1% experiment next year if you're keen on playing around with the power of slow, small change. I've loved it this year and am excited to see what next year's iteration looks like. 💚
I’m in for the 1% group experiment! Thanks for adding goodness to my year, Brooke.
Brilliant! So glad to have you Ellen. And thank *you* for being here. 💚💚
I love your reflection Brooke and thank you for being so insightful and honest - it plants many seeds and creates much for me to think about. I do a lot of reflecting through my journal as I really feel it's the best way for me to see progress but also to notice recurring challenges. You are a blessing to my day 💚
Journaling is the best way for me to process too Carolyn. I love looking back over a journal or logbook to see progress or change, it's a reminder of where we began and where we're going (and a reminder that the path usually doesn't look like we expected it to!) 💚💚
I'm also going to keep my subscription as-is. I've been listening and reading for so long and I've gotten so much from everything you and Ben have experimented with and put out there that it's the very least I can do.
This year has mostly just been a big blur of work, conflict, tension, indecision and force. Lots of shoulds and whys and railing against societal norms. It's not necessarily a bad thing and I don't regret anything. This year has kind of just been a big build up before a cleansing storm, which I do recognise is an ironic analogy given the cyclone and subsequent flooding in my town 🙃
That's so kind Candice, thank you! I feel like this year has been massive for you, and hope the new year brings you some peace and space in which to experience the cleansing storm. (Figuratively!!) xx
2023 was hard, it was expensive but I learned a lot about myself.
I am hopefully 2024 will be a little more peaceful.
I hope 2024 is more peaceful too Kristen. Sending you loads of love and peace for the holidays xxx
I’m looking forward to doing some journaling to reflect on my year. Thanks for sharing your reflections and always being so thoughtful and honest.
Enjoy the reflections Melinda! Here's to you and a year of goodness ahead. Much love to you and your loved ones over the holidays 💚💚💚💚
Olga, I am following your example 🤍 I will leave my subscription at the same rate. I am so grateful for your amazing work dear Brooke. Sending a warm hug from a cold Winter morning from Germany.
Thank you lovely Mimi - that's so kind of you. I'm grateful for you and your warm hugs from Germany! Sending one back from a rainy Australia. 💚💚💚