(This voiceover is an audio version of the newsletter below. As always, it’s unedited and today I’m not even entirely sure I make sense. Sorry!)
I know, I know, it’s Christmas Eve, you’ve quite possibly turned off your emails and closed your laptop by now, with better things to do than read a short letter from me. But I wanted to pop back in one last time this year to say a couple of things before I switch on my out-of-office and take a few weeks off. The first being:
Thank you.
Thank you for being a huge part of what’s been a strange, wonderful, creative, exciting, sad, messy, healing, painful, delightful, awe-inspiring year. I have loved every second of writing to you, and every comment, every email, every moment of attention you’ve given my words has meant so much. I don’t take it for granted. In fact, I cherish it.
I’ve said that 2023 was about healing, and mostly, I meant in a physical sense. But I realised over the last few days of reflection that it’s also been a year of healing my relationship with words.
At the beginning of this year I wasn’t sure I wanted to write anymore. Didn’t think I could. But now, just days away from 2024, I’ve never loved it more. And that’s thanks to you.
So, from the bottom of my grateful heart, thank you for being here, and thank you for the gift you’ve given me.
The second thing:
Ben and I are taking some time off over January, which means no plodcast next month. I have, however, pre-scheduled a couple of posts that will arrive in your inbox early next year. The first will be about values (including access to my three-part values workshop) and the second will give you a list of questions to dive into ahead of our 1% experiment.
I hope your holidays are filled with tiny moments of joy (which happens to be my guiding word for 2024), and that you’re able to take some time to rest over the new year.
And if you’re waiting for someone to grant you permission to slow down, consider it granted. Take those five minutes. Lay on the grass. Pat the neighbour’s cat. Float in the ocean. Paddle on the river. Step out into the cold night and look at the stars. Hug a tree. Hug a friend. Hug a grandparent. Get up early and watch the sun rise. Commit the smell of suncream to memory and eat as many mangoes as you want. Put on your favourite album and do a jigsaw puzzle. Read a delicious book.
Remember: slow is in how we pay attention to the moments themselves, not the ticking of a clock.
So that’s it from me this year. Thank you again for being here, for being part of the best corner of the internet, and for being your warm, open, kind-hearted selves. I am very excited about 2024 and all the possibilities it offers, but before that: it’s time to slow down.
Sending you and your loved ones peace and joy and gratitude. See you next year.
Take good care,
Brooke xx
For some reason this post brought me to tears, in a comforting way. The feeling of 'kinship' with other human beings who seem to inhabit the world in a similar way to me. Thank you for writing Brooke, your words have brought comfort to my life for a long time.
And...I love that middle paragraph about slowing down. I resonate with every one of your suggestions, except maybe the neighbour's cat. It poops in my garden and we're not the best of friends 🤣 and sadly, I've no grandparents left to hug but I will give my mum and dad a hug and they are grandparents after all 🤗
Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer break making memories together xx
Have a great break Brooke! Tiny moments of joy is such a wonderful way to make life richer without being overwhelming. Also the 1% is resonating for me right now as I have a few projects that I have been stuck with and starting to make some progress, all be it slow 😊 Thank you thank you for caring and sharing your ideas and experiences with us all ❤️🥰