Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go. —Hermann Hesse |
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Hello, love. I hope this note finds you taking a pause for yourself. It's hard to believe that the first month of 2024 is nearly over, no?! Over here, it's been a blend of both spaciousness and overflowing (in a good way). I'll share a few ideas on where I've been focusing in hopes that they nourish you, too. During my Year in Review podcast, I forgot to share what I'd done to “save me from myself” as I alluded to in a previous Love Note. For over two decades I've either taught a New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day workshop. I wanted to make a change by saving those two days for myself and sauntering into the year at a gentler pace, so I intentionally started the Coterie two weeks later and signed up for a five-day ballet intensive that started the morning of January 1. This is what I meant by saving myself from my usual tendencies and ingrained beliefs. Sometimes we have to make changes to what we've always done to open up the space we crave. In my latest podcast, I announced that after 18.5 years “Season 1" had come to a close. When I started the process of letting go/pausing last fall with virtual retreats, pet loss support sessions, and the clothing line, I told Tim (my producer and partner) that the podcast was next. He joked that it was the end of Season 1 and it stuck. Of course, you'll be the first to know what's ahead for Season 2. Right now, I'm savoring a pause. That's why I mentioned at the beginning of this Love Note that so far 2024 had been a blend of overflowing and spaciousness. Spaciousness because I'm letting go of things I've done for years. Overflowing because I'm filling it with ballet classes and performances (one in DC this June—details coming!), planning to launch a Substack and write a book, catering to Coterie, Salon, therapy and coaching clients, spending more time with my senior pugs and partner—it's simpler and beautifully full. I encourage you, too, to consider the art of making space by intentionally letting go. Picture your life as a well-lived wardrobe, filled with experiences, relationships, and possessions. Midlife is an opportune time to sift through the pieces, discerning what still resonates with who you've become. Much like refreshing a wardrobe with timeless essentials (I'm looking at you little black dress!), embrace the practice of releasing what no longer aligns with your present self—outdated beliefs, draining relationships, or possessions that have served their purpose. Create a closet of experiences and connections that reflect the wisdom and authenticity that define you in this chapter. As a midlife woman navigating various roles and responsibilities, letting go becomes a strategic act of self-care. Picture it as editing the script of your life—refining, condensing, and leaving room for the scenes that truly matter. Let the wisdom of making space guide you to a midlife that's uncluttered, purposeful, and uniquely yours. As the quote above reminds us, sometimes it's letting go that makes us strong. Pull out your journal to contemplate this idea. And, as always, be gentle with yourself. You get a gold star (as my ballet teacher tells me)! Journal prompts: What emotional baggage can you release to make space for renewed joy and authenticity? Reflect on one outdated belief or expectation you've carried from your past that you're ready to let go of and why. What physical possessions or clutter have become symbolic of a past version of yourself, and how might clearing them create a more space for who you are today? |
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Wishing you everyday tranquility (workbook below), a chance to make space for what matters, and a deep honoring of what's most on your heart. May we embrace this season as an opportunity to rest and reset. Thanks for sharing your inbox and being on this journey with me! PS Tranquility Salon releases on February 1 with a self-love guided meditation, a private podcast on practicing tranquility with self and others, journal prompts, a fave recipe, and a jazzy love-infused Spotify playlist. Only $9/month, join here. PPPPS Speaking of wardrobes, here's a peek at a few of my favorite pieces plus winter layering tips. |
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