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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in 2023!

In terms of themes, one idea that popped into my head as I was reading just now was ‘consumption.’ I want to try to buy fewer clothes next year and also spend more time enjoying the clothes I already have - and I want to apply this to books as well. How can we enjoy the things we have and can we practise self compassion/avoid shame when we do ‘slip up’ and spend?

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Yes, brilliant idea, Manda

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Dec 16, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Great theme Manda I might aim for that too

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Oh I love this one, Manda - thank you!! And thank you for being here this year. It means so much to have such open-hearted people as part of this community. I'm so grateful for you 💚💚

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I might join you with my word of the year being joy. It feels like the balm we need right now. A friend helped me out of a depressive episode this year by texting 3 glimmers to each other every day. The joy is there in the tiny beautiful things. Taking a year to be in heightened awareness of that sounds super! Thank you.

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I love the idea of 'glimmers'! I've been thinking along the line of micro moments of joy/awe/connection/etc but really love the beauty of the word glimmer - thank you for sharing! 💚💚

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Love this Gillian. So much joy around. My desire is for the joy to crowd out all the other stuff! Ups & downs of course, yet where I choose to focus is up to me. The word ‘joy’ sounds fabulous to me too. I want to smile spontaneously and laugh loudly & regularly.

Sending you love.

Love Cherie

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I recently read 'The House that Joy Built' by Holly Ringland. A beautiful book about embracing creativity for the sake of joy! I suspect you'll love it if you haven't read already Brooke ☺️

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I haven't read it yet, but was talking to my local bookshop owner and she suggested it too. I've got it on my list for 2023! Thanks so much Stephanie 💚💚

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Dec 16, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Thank you Brooke, great post, you always get me thinking. The themes you suggested for next year sound interesting and I'm looking forward to divng in with you and everyone in this community.

I have a monthly subscription but would prefer to keep as is and not take up the discount, I think you deserve every penny for the hard work you've put into your writing and sharing with us 🥰

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That's so kind of you Nicola - thank you. I'm incredibly grateful to have you here and can 't wait to see what 2024 brings. I hope your Christmas and New Year break is filled with moments of calm and joy 💚💚

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Dec 16, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

What a wonderful post, Brooke. I love the idea of joy feeling a bit bad-ass!! Yes!! That's what we need more of. Imagine if our experiencing of joy, even in our broken world, is our act of rebellion?! I think that's the way I am going to look at it from now on!

So looking forward to the 1% experiment for 2024 and planning to do mine around the many creative projects I want to make progress on.

I am so grateful for you and your work Brooke and this wonderful, nurturing, kind and safe community xx

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Yes! The word rebellion is exactly what I was looking for when I wrote this (but I couldn't quite grab hold of it). I can't wait for the 1% experiment next year and am so excited to have you along for the ride Carolyn. Thanks so much for everything you've brought this community this year xxxx

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Thanks Brooke. Joy sounds fun to me!

I love the themes you have suggested. I want to let go of judgement (of myself and others) - and see what else there is when I don’t do that! What else can I think about instead?!

I am letting go of the habit to comment, criticise (even if it’s in my head and not out loud) Self acceptance is a big thing for me - when I truly accept myself then I can do the same for others.

See you in 2024 to see where it takes us!

Love Cherie

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Oh I hear you on this one too Cherie. Judgement is such a brutal tool isn't it? Even the unsaid kind is detrimental because it becomes our inner voice over time. I've added this to my list for next year too - looking forward to exploring it and whatever else the new year brings. Sending so much love to you and your family this holiday. 💚💚

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

I’m loving the theme of joy Brooke. I would also be really interested to read more on the suggestions you have already been given for next year.

My husband and I have always tried to focus on experiences over things with our children but we’re now facing the challenge of them wanting to participate in a lot of clubs or visiting places or going on holidays that are out of our price range that their friends enjoy going to. We have been keeping to a tight budget so that I can remain at home with them but we regularly feel the guilt of not being able to do the things a lot of other friends and family do and have to remind ourselves regularly of what we truly value but explaining that to our children can be a challenge and hard for them to understand. A written piece maybe on what to do when you feel the pressure to follow everyone else within your community would be of interest to me but I enjoy reading anything you write!

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This is such a great question Laura, and a really relevant topic for so many parents I think. Balancing the desire to give kids experiences over things, but also managing the scope of those experiences as the kids get older is so hard. Especially with added pressures from family/society etc. I'll definitely add this to my list for next year. Thank you for the suggestion, and for being here this year. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. 💚

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

This has definitely been my experience too Laura - no longer having the same life values, or dreams, or even likes as other families in our community. I find that doing less outside 'work' and more inside 'work' at home has changed my friendship group too. It's not a good or a bad thing, it just is. I think self acceptance plays a big part here. I am making these subtle choices because it feels perfect for our family at that time. I trust that it's all working out. Love Cherie

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Love reading all the comments and how optimistic they all sound 😊. Joy, creativity, acceptance and some of the things I am mulling over at the moment. Along with this how to give yourself credit for just showing up and giving your best with what you have and can offer.

Have a great great break and looking forward to 2024 x

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It's lovely isn't it Jan? So much optimism for what's to come - it's the thing I never knew I needed! Thanks also for your suggestions - I love the choice to give ourselves credit for showing up. It's overlooked and understated and so important. I've added it to the list for next year and am excited to see what comes from it after a break. Take care over the holidays 💚💚

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Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Thanks Brooke for another delightfull post. I love the theme of joy for 2024 and have been trying this one myself along with creativity.

The 1% experiment is definitely something I'm planning on doing with you...can't wait!...first Christmas and rest.

Looking forward to your last post for the year already x

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Joy and creativity - a match made in heaven!! And yes, let's all have a rest over the holidays and see where our 1%s take us next year. Can't wait. 💚

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Hello Brooke!

A deep thank you for all of your thoughtful words this year. I treasure them as quiet, attainable moments that are part of my own 1% of wellness.

I sure would love to come along with you in a community supportive 1%. Yes please 👏🏻!

Wishing you and the family love and light ✨ this holiday time.

With JOY from the San Juan Islands in the PNW😘

Angie

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What a beautiful comment Angie, thank you. I'm so excited about the 1% experiment next year and am thrilled you want to join in. It's exciting to wonder what it might bring us. Until then, enjoy the holidays (in your beautiful part of the world) and take good care 💚💚💚💚

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I used to wash my face with honey, too! I feel inspired to try that again 🤩

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I've LOVED this discovery. Such a small thing that brings me ridiculous amounts of joy and satisfaction 😆💚

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Joy is such a lovely thing, Brooke! I love how you tease it out here, too. I'm excited for the 1% offerings in the new year, too! Take good care this holiday season!

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You too Kate! Thank you for being here and I hope your holidays are snug and delightful. 💚💚

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

My word coming into 2024 is Recalibrate. I've always gone big on changes and have changed a hell of a lot over the past few years. Deciding on what big change to make next has taken up a lot of headspace this year. Next year I want to make small changes to settle into what fits my life going forward, which is kind of perfect with the 1% project.

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Oh I love this one Candice. It's such a grounding idea, to spend the year settling into what fits you now and in the future, and I hope it brings you so much peace. (I'm also really glad you're okay up there. The footage I've seen of the damage in NQ is awful) 💚💚

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Thanks Cherie, I appreciate your comment and knowing I’m not alone! I do sometimes feel like I’m in my own little bubble at home and can block out a lot of the societal noise. I find it hard watching my children feel the pressures to conform though to a lot of these pressures and it’s only when I speak to their friends parents I then doubt my own choices sometimes. I agree that self acceptable has a lot to do with this which is something I must keep working on.

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Dec 17, 2023·edited Dec 17, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

I love that “Joy” is your word for 2024. Wishing you, yours and everyone all the joy 🤗

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Thanks so much Diane! And right back at you and yours 💚💚

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Dec 16, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Hi Brooke, I’d love to hear more about values .

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Thanks Genevieve! I've actually got a post scheduled for early January all about values. I find they're one of the best tools for working out priorities and the practicalities of how we spend our time. It sounds easy on the surface of course, but the reality is always complex. Knowing what's important to us helps so much. In the meantime, I hope you have a restful new year. 💚💚💚

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