Rest, reflect and a gentle reset - a New Year

Setting new intentions and choosing my word of the year

The natural world surrenders to deep rest during the short, dark days of January. Trees, plants and animals are pulled by a cyclical rhythm into stillness and quiet - Joey Hulin

Photo by photo nic on Unsplash

Hello my friend.

A very warm welcome to my little corner of Substack today. And welcome to a brand New Year.

Come on in and get warmed up by the fire. Make yourself comfortable. Let me make you a warm drink. What would you like?

With the last New Moon of 2024 on Monday 30th and welcoming the beginning of a brand new year on Wednesday, now is the perfect time for reflection and setting gentle intentions for the coming weeks, months and year.

But firstly we must remind ourselves that we are still completely immersed in the season of Winter, the season of rest. Frozen in time.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

A lot of us returned to work on Thursday, and with that the return of the busy chaotic culture of productiveness that we find ourselves in today.

If we observe what nature is doing, it is simply resting, rejuvenating, preparing to bloom once more in Spring. What if we were to do the same, move in harmony with the season. Rest as we were meant to, as Mother Nature intended.

As

Victoria Harrison

reminds us here, January’s Full Moon Celtic name is “Stay Home Moon”.

Instead of feeling burned out, with failed resolutions, come Spring, we too could find ourselves blooming alongside the daffodils and crocus bulbs.

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

Reflections of a year gone by

I can look back on 2024 and smile. It wasn’t all good, but I always try to see the positive in everything and reflect with gratitude.

• I reduced my hours in my day job, meaning I stopped working on Fridays.

• I read more than ever before.

• I fully immersed myself in my writing and started publishing my work weekly, and my readership grew.

• We bought a van and converted it into a camper.

• We gave up our allotment in order to give us time to enjoy the van.

• We travelled more, with two trips up to Scotland and a week in Derbyshire.

• I saw the Northern Lights for the first time.

Intentions for 2025

• Be more mindful of my eating and activity habits. Eat more healthily and increase my activity.

• Focus on my mental health. Meditation, bringing nature indoors, rest.

• Declutter my home. Although I have already done a declutter, which has been an integral part of simplifying my life, clutter can return when you take your eye off the ball. There will be more focus on what Beth Kempton calls “Soulful Simplicity” in her book Wabi Sabi.

• Continue publishing weekly content here with more focus on simplifying, seasonal living and living by the moon cycle.

• Spend more time outdoors in nature.

• Be more intentional in my use of digital devices.

My word of 2025

Based on my intentions, my word for 2025 is WELLBEING.

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This weeks ASMR recommendation

Sit back with a good book, cosy socks on, and a nice warm cup of tea or coffee, or maybe a hot chocolate. Listen to the fire crackling and glance up and watch the snow falling.

Journal prompt:

What does resting mean to me?

Until next time.

Debbie xx

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