Hi Brooke, first of all I am wishing you all the best for the upcoming surgery. Healing seems like the perfect area for you to focus on, and I'm sure that your 'go-to' list of ideas for post-op recovery will help you on that journey 🤗
My main 'themes' for this year are nature, creativity and inner peace. My area of focus at the moment is daily meditation and creativity. I have so many projects I want to do from knitting, sewing, gardening etc etc that I am loving spending a little time each day on one of them. At the moment it's a knitting project - a cozy throw to give my hubby for his birthday in March. The downside is having a thick wooly blanket on my lap while I knit in the middle of summer 🤣
Hi Brooke, wishing you well ahead of your operation . I like the idea of rebelling against a busy Feb and March and just letting the late summer be a chance to heal.
I’m going to add 1% of self care- just taking stock on the little things that need to happen each day that I can do to build myself up, add some self love as well each day.
Hi Brooke - there is much to ponder here and I'm looking forward to sorting out what I'm going to focus on. I'm thinking there might be two areas - one highly practical / instantly visible and the other more nebulous / less tangible but no less important....
But first, all the very best for the op and your recovery. It sounds as though you are planning very thoroughly - remember to have some pre-op rest as well!
Sending you my best wishes for your procedure and your recovery, Brooke! Thank you for this generous letter today modeling your plans for pre and post care plans. I decided this year that I’ve only got two goals: do yoga and learn to cook. It feels really freeing to be setting non-work goals! I would have to say my 1% term for my process would be curiosity.
Firstly, wishing you all the very best for your surgery and recovery. ❤️🩹 My mum had a hysterectomy when she was 40, but unfortunately didn’t have a lot of support during her recovery. I’m so glad you do, and that you have resting at the forefront of your plans. Also - the list of things the kids can do to be extra helpful is such a lovely idea. 😊 I also love your focus on your microbiome and fibre. 💪 In addition to the extra serve of veg, may I also recommend an extra serve of legumes. Even though just adding 1/4 cup can be wonderful. (Dr Michael Gregor has lots more bean info on his non-profit site nutritionfacts.org if you’re interested.)
Secondly, my word for the year is also “joy”! How joyful it is to focus on it. 😅😆 I so enjoyed the audiobook of “Joyful”, written and read by Ingrid Fetell Lee.
Thirdly, the 1% Experiment is great timing. Towards the end of last year I started wanting to make myself a timetable for the afternoon/evening, like my niblings have stuck to their fridge. So my 1% will be something/several things/one overall thing where I ensure I can do more of the things I want/need to do and less of things I don’t. Here’s to more movement, reading, Japanese study, crafting, and more.
Thanks, as always, for everything you do, Brooke. (And please know that you don’t need to worry about preparing things for the Tortoise for your surgery/recovery time.) 🙏❤️🩹
This is a lovely letter Brooke, in fact it brought tears to my eyes. To be fair, there’s a lot going on for me right now, but it’s also been a little while ‘between drinks’ of reading your work, and this morning really brought home for me how much I’d missed reading your stuff! And just how much I adore your approach, how much it resonates with me, and how much we need community such as this, when the world feels so heavy so often. So thank you - I’m catching up on your letters this morning over cups of tea, and I’m so grateful as The Tortoise is a real source of joy in my life 🙏💛
My 1%... well, the first thing that comes up is rest. It’s not an area of strength for me, I get too caught up in the doing, but I’m a believer in the power of rest. And I’ve also decided that rest can look very different each day - it doesn’t have to be sleep. Doing a yoga nidra, journaling for 15mins, meditation, or just being alone in divine silence. Yep, I’m committing to rest.
Wishing you all the best for your operation and recovery. Sending healing vibes ❤️🩹 x
Wishing you all the best for your op and recovery. I am trying to incorporate some things such as daily exercise and meditation into life after a big move - I’m finding that writing a list /timetabling things in and just sticking to those times is working well for me. It amazes me how much I have kicked against these kinds of things in the past but actually now it is feeling more like I’m grateful to myself for planning ahead
Hello and Happy 2024 in earnest, Brooke! Thank you for the 1% Experiment encouragement and for (as always) transparency regarding your own challenges. I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago at age 39, and given my own health circumstances, it was the best thing I could have done. Wishing you a good recovery, lots of relief, and a sense of peace with your surgery.
I am embracing two 1% activities this year, one physical, one intellectual: 1. Move some way - ANY way - for 15 minutes every day. 2: Read fiction for 15 minutes each day. I'm off to brainstorm my grab and go lists now.
Hi Brooke, all the best for your operation. My sister and close friend both just had a hysterectomy and they both look and feel better afterwards. Hoping the same for you xx
Wishing you all the best with your op Brooke, please don’t pressure yourself to write lots for The Tortoise pre op and when recovering, as much as we love your writing we will still be here when you’re ready to come back.
I love the idea of the 1% experiment, my problem is that I have so many areas I would like to focus on it has been hard to choose! I would really like to focus on my health initially so will work out targets for my day around this, combining them with a bit of joy too!
A beautiful post Brooke. Wishing you healing in every sense of the word, both pre and post op. 🥰🥰Take as long as you need to recover well. As you know, nothing is as important as your health.
My word of the year is Joy too! I also want to spend more time being creative this year...I find when I do that i feel more in tune with me and more joyful...yes please!!
So term one...1% experiment is joy! Going off to make a list of grab and go's 😊😊🧡🧡🥳🥳
I love your lists of joy and healing things. The next 6 months are looking pretty full for me, I’m trying to remember to make time for play and enjoyment too, not just doing all the tasks that need to be done. This is a constant lesson for me!!
Hi Brooke, first of all I am wishing you all the best for the upcoming surgery. Healing seems like the perfect area for you to focus on, and I'm sure that your 'go-to' list of ideas for post-op recovery will help you on that journey 🤗
My main 'themes' for this year are nature, creativity and inner peace. My area of focus at the moment is daily meditation and creativity. I have so many projects I want to do from knitting, sewing, gardening etc etc that I am loving spending a little time each day on one of them. At the moment it's a knitting project - a cozy throw to give my hubby for his birthday in March. The downside is having a thick wooly blanket on my lap while I knit in the middle of summer 🤣
Wishing you all the best Brooke. Hopefully you’ll find some joy in the healing and will get a twofer! My 1% this term is self compassion.
Hi Brooke, wishing you well ahead of your operation . I like the idea of rebelling against a busy Feb and March and just letting the late summer be a chance to heal.
I’m going to add 1% of self care- just taking stock on the little things that need to happen each day that I can do to build myself up, add some self love as well each day.
Take care!
Hi Brooke - there is much to ponder here and I'm looking forward to sorting out what I'm going to focus on. I'm thinking there might be two areas - one highly practical / instantly visible and the other more nebulous / less tangible but no less important....
But first, all the very best for the op and your recovery. It sounds as though you are planning very thoroughly - remember to have some pre-op rest as well!
Go well 💚
Hi Brooke,
All the best for your op and recovery - I had the same op several years ago and remember experiencing mixed emotions too!
Looking forward to being part of the 1% experiement in 2024 - my word for the year is Release.
‘We can’t fail, we can only learn’ - what amazing words to live by!
Sending you my best wishes for your procedure and your recovery, Brooke! Thank you for this generous letter today modeling your plans for pre and post care plans. I decided this year that I’ve only got two goals: do yoga and learn to cook. It feels really freeing to be setting non-work goals! I would have to say my 1% term for my process would be curiosity.
All the best with your surgery Brooke. Keep it up with your women’s health advocacy. My themes for the 2024…patience & gratitude ; ) xo
Hi Brooke,
Firstly, wishing you all the very best for your surgery and recovery. ❤️🩹 My mum had a hysterectomy when she was 40, but unfortunately didn’t have a lot of support during her recovery. I’m so glad you do, and that you have resting at the forefront of your plans. Also - the list of things the kids can do to be extra helpful is such a lovely idea. 😊 I also love your focus on your microbiome and fibre. 💪 In addition to the extra serve of veg, may I also recommend an extra serve of legumes. Even though just adding 1/4 cup can be wonderful. (Dr Michael Gregor has lots more bean info on his non-profit site nutritionfacts.org if you’re interested.)
Secondly, my word for the year is also “joy”! How joyful it is to focus on it. 😅😆 I so enjoyed the audiobook of “Joyful”, written and read by Ingrid Fetell Lee.
Thirdly, the 1% Experiment is great timing. Towards the end of last year I started wanting to make myself a timetable for the afternoon/evening, like my niblings have stuck to their fridge. So my 1% will be something/several things/one overall thing where I ensure I can do more of the things I want/need to do and less of things I don’t. Here’s to more movement, reading, Japanese study, crafting, and more.
Thanks, as always, for everything you do, Brooke. (And please know that you don’t need to worry about preparing things for the Tortoise for your surgery/recovery time.) 🙏❤️🩹
This is a lovely letter Brooke, in fact it brought tears to my eyes. To be fair, there’s a lot going on for me right now, but it’s also been a little while ‘between drinks’ of reading your work, and this morning really brought home for me how much I’d missed reading your stuff! And just how much I adore your approach, how much it resonates with me, and how much we need community such as this, when the world feels so heavy so often. So thank you - I’m catching up on your letters this morning over cups of tea, and I’m so grateful as The Tortoise is a real source of joy in my life 🙏💛
My 1%... well, the first thing that comes up is rest. It’s not an area of strength for me, I get too caught up in the doing, but I’m a believer in the power of rest. And I’ve also decided that rest can look very different each day - it doesn’t have to be sleep. Doing a yoga nidra, journaling for 15mins, meditation, or just being alone in divine silence. Yep, I’m committing to rest.
Wishing you all the best for your operation and recovery. Sending healing vibes ❤️🩹 x
Wishing you all the best for your op and recovery. I am trying to incorporate some things such as daily exercise and meditation into life after a big move - I’m finding that writing a list /timetabling things in and just sticking to those times is working well for me. It amazes me how much I have kicked against these kinds of things in the past but actually now it is feeling more like I’m grateful to myself for planning ahead
Hello and Happy 2024 in earnest, Brooke! Thank you for the 1% Experiment encouragement and for (as always) transparency regarding your own challenges. I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago at age 39, and given my own health circumstances, it was the best thing I could have done. Wishing you a good recovery, lots of relief, and a sense of peace with your surgery.
I am embracing two 1% activities this year, one physical, one intellectual: 1. Move some way - ANY way - for 15 minutes every day. 2: Read fiction for 15 minutes each day. I'm off to brainstorm my grab and go lists now.
Hi Brooke, all the best for your operation. My sister and close friend both just had a hysterectomy and they both look and feel better afterwards. Hoping the same for you xx
Wishing you all the best with your op Brooke, please don’t pressure yourself to write lots for The Tortoise pre op and when recovering, as much as we love your writing we will still be here when you’re ready to come back.
I love the idea of the 1% experiment, my problem is that I have so many areas I would like to focus on it has been hard to choose! I would really like to focus on my health initially so will work out targets for my day around this, combining them with a bit of joy too!
A beautiful post Brooke. Wishing you healing in every sense of the word, both pre and post op. 🥰🥰Take as long as you need to recover well. As you know, nothing is as important as your health.
My word of the year is Joy too! I also want to spend more time being creative this year...I find when I do that i feel more in tune with me and more joyful...yes please!!
So term one...1% experiment is joy! Going off to make a list of grab and go's 😊😊🧡🧡🥳🥳
Hope it’s a solid recovery Brooke 🧡
I love your lists of joy and healing things. The next 6 months are looking pretty full for me, I’m trying to remember to make time for play and enjoyment too, not just doing all the tasks that need to be done. This is a constant lesson for me!!