Hello, dear friends, and Happy New Year!
I hope the first week of 2024 has been gentle and kind to you. My children finally return to school today, after 20 days of winter break. Phew. I am eager to enjoy my quiet house and a more consistent schedule.
At the same time, I’ve been grateful for lots of lazy days at home over the past few weeks, and I’ve spent a lot of it reflecting on 2023 and planning for 2024. I am such a sucker for the energy this time of year brings—though admittedly, it’s a different kind of energy than it used to be.
Not all that long ago, January energy felt harsh and bossy, like I was trying to pull my hair into a too-tight ponytail. I always began with a deficit mindset, remembering all the ways I hadn’t measured up and taking to heart every “should” thrown my way.
These days, the energy is gentler, and January feels like a deep breath. It feels like a great time for letting go of what no longer serves and remembering all the things I love and value most. (I’ve also taken the month off of Instagram, and let me just say: That was a good call.)
My word of the year for 2024 is “story.” It’s a little more abstract than words I’ve chosen in years past, but I’m excited about, and I’ll share more about it later this week.
But in the meantime…
A benediction for Monday, January 8, 2024:
May you begin this week with a great big, deep breath. May you feel the cool air fill every bit of available space, and then may you let. it. go. Make a loud whooshing sound if it helps. May the winds of 2024 blow through your life like grace. May your 2024 be full of really, really good stories. Amen.
"letting go of what no longer serves and remembering all the things I love and value most" Love love love this, friend! Taking this energy into the month and year ahead.
*take a deep breath* thank you for this!