This is one of the first times I'm seeing the emphasis on "write OR speak" for annual reflections when so many of them are focused on solitary writing prompts. I totally agree that much of this can be worked out verbally with a trusted friend!
A long time ago, on NYE, a friend of mine shared his philosophy of incremental change throughout the year, as needed, and I’ve lived by that ever since.
I love the solstices and equinoxes (and other holidays) for reflecting on what is moving along and what needs a little course correction.
And I love that you shared this in a way that sheds even more light on the infinite facets of that practice. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this Rachel. It's funny because my New Year's resolution is always the same: steps forward, even if it's just one. That's not slow growth to me. It's consistent, measured growth
I’m getting ready to start another batch of Sequoiadendron giganteum seedlings, which will reach their full majesty in a couple thousand years. Slow-growing life that starts from a seed that looks like, but is smaller than a rolled out that eventually because the largest living thing on earth.
There may be a lesson somewhere in those tiny seeds and little seedlings.
I call the beginning of these ideas “seriously toying” its more than dreaming, but less than commitment. Its taking steps ‘as if’ it is something I will genuinely pursue. A bit like trying on those too-expensive but desirable shoes: they either don’t fit comfortably, so you can let them go without (much) regret, or you LOVE them, you fully commit and you start planning your strategy & sacrifices to make it HAPPEN.
Either way, its time well spent. So I didn’t become a B&B host, I did go on a long (4 month) solo mid-life adventure and the pandemic killed my plan to run a Maker’s Studio where you could go to use all the sexy equipment like digital fabric printers, quilting machines, hat blocks, overlockers, industrial sewing machines, knitting machines, etc that individual crafters only need sometimes. Maybe one day I’ll find a way to start an introvert-friendly cafe chain for airports and shopping centres called “A Bit of Shoosh” with sound proofing and noise cancelling headphones and tables that hold a maximum of 2 people...I mean, I’d pay extra for a coffee at that establishment. Bring on 2024 and your next adventures, Rachel.
This is so lovely, Rachel - thank you for sharing. An emphasis on slowness feels so needed for me right now, and I love this emphasis on writing or speaking what we desire as a small but essential step. Going to be returning to this exercise over the next few days in my own end-of-year reflections and explorations around what I want to move towards in the year to come. 💖
A wonderful post, Rachel. I also love the metaphor of the garden for a slower, more cyclical take on life. And when I think of how one might fertilise such a garden, it also strikes me as a good way of using some of the shit life throws at us.
I admire what you have done with the woodland. I once dreamed of owning a small tract of forest in a place far away. No longer, but your prompt has made me think that I have slowly moved towards the life I am living now, having realised a few years ago that the one I was living wasn't quite right. Thank you for helping me see this in such a positive light.
I love that you and your friends bought some land and all that went into the build up of that purchase ! The one thing that you are the most proud of - incredible 🤩 rebalancing my hormones was the slowest growing idea I’ve ever had and embarked upon! I read it took years - it took me 3 years before I even felt any sense of balance and started making giant leaps forward with menstrual migraine from that point on. I can always see how turned off women are when I talk about how long it takes to achieve. I’m now 5.5years in and am so well and healthy. Almost 44 with no sign of perimenopause - just the healthiest of periods and a sense of balance not only in my body, hormones and all other bodily systems, but In all areas of my business and life too🤩 absolutely one of the best commitments I’ve ever made to myself.
Slow long term goals but determined and persistent in each second. We will never really get there and it's ok. We are always here trekking towards the goal forever. The process is the prize, the mere fact that we are striving for something is a gift. The fact that we can play, we already have won. We may look way past the horizon, but the most important thing is to feel good where we are as we gradually move along towards our desires.
Love the vox article - that’s the best article on chronic illness I’ve ever read! One that actually knows what it’s on about - the opposite of the let’s control and manage approach we’re usually fed. I’d also been wondering at the latest chronic illness stats for the US - when I first started my research back in 2018, it was 50% for the US (now 60%) and 30% for the UK (now 34%).
This is one of the first times I'm seeing the emphasis on "write OR speak" for annual reflections when so many of them are focused on solitary writing prompts. I totally agree that much of this can be worked out verbally with a trusted friend!
A long time ago, on NYE, a friend of mine shared his philosophy of incremental change throughout the year, as needed, and I’ve lived by that ever since.
I love the solstices and equinoxes (and other holidays) for reflecting on what is moving along and what needs a little course correction.
And I love that you shared this in a way that sheds even more light on the infinite facets of that practice. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this Rachel. It's funny because my New Year's resolution is always the same: steps forward, even if it's just one. That's not slow growth to me. It's consistent, measured growth
I’m getting ready to start another batch of Sequoiadendron giganteum seedlings, which will reach their full majesty in a couple thousand years. Slow-growing life that starts from a seed that looks like, but is smaller than a rolled out that eventually because the largest living thing on earth.
There may be a lesson somewhere in those tiny seeds and little seedlings.
I call the beginning of these ideas “seriously toying” its more than dreaming, but less than commitment. Its taking steps ‘as if’ it is something I will genuinely pursue. A bit like trying on those too-expensive but desirable shoes: they either don’t fit comfortably, so you can let them go without (much) regret, or you LOVE them, you fully commit and you start planning your strategy & sacrifices to make it HAPPEN.
Either way, its time well spent. So I didn’t become a B&B host, I did go on a long (4 month) solo mid-life adventure and the pandemic killed my plan to run a Maker’s Studio where you could go to use all the sexy equipment like digital fabric printers, quilting machines, hat blocks, overlockers, industrial sewing machines, knitting machines, etc that individual crafters only need sometimes. Maybe one day I’ll find a way to start an introvert-friendly cafe chain for airports and shopping centres called “A Bit of Shoosh” with sound proofing and noise cancelling headphones and tables that hold a maximum of 2 people...I mean, I’d pay extra for a coffee at that establishment. Bring on 2024 and your next adventures, Rachel.
This is so lovely, Rachel - thank you for sharing. An emphasis on slowness feels so needed for me right now, and I love this emphasis on writing or speaking what we desire as a small but essential step. Going to be returning to this exercise over the next few days in my own end-of-year reflections and explorations around what I want to move towards in the year to come. 💖
A wonderful post, Rachel. I also love the metaphor of the garden for a slower, more cyclical take on life. And when I think of how one might fertilise such a garden, it also strikes me as a good way of using some of the shit life throws at us.
I admire what you have done with the woodland. I once dreamed of owning a small tract of forest in a place far away. No longer, but your prompt has made me think that I have slowly moved towards the life I am living now, having realised a few years ago that the one I was living wasn't quite right. Thank you for helping me see this in such a positive light.
I love that you and your friends bought some land and all that went into the build up of that purchase ! The one thing that you are the most proud of - incredible 🤩 rebalancing my hormones was the slowest growing idea I’ve ever had and embarked upon! I read it took years - it took me 3 years before I even felt any sense of balance and started making giant leaps forward with menstrual migraine from that point on. I can always see how turned off women are when I talk about how long it takes to achieve. I’m now 5.5years in and am so well and healthy. Almost 44 with no sign of perimenopause - just the healthiest of periods and a sense of balance not only in my body, hormones and all other bodily systems, but In all areas of my business and life too🤩 absolutely one of the best commitments I’ve ever made to myself.
Slow long term goals but determined and persistent in each second. We will never really get there and it's ok. We are always here trekking towards the goal forever. The process is the prize, the mere fact that we are striving for something is a gift. The fact that we can play, we already have won. We may look way past the horizon, but the most important thing is to feel good where we are as we gradually move along towards our desires.
I'm food blogging here as a long term, forever goal https://www.makepurethyheart.com
This is great and I thank you ❤️
Love this Rachel, and especially your garden analogy - so helpful, I often find there's a metaphor for everything in life in the garden ❤
Love the vox article - that’s the best article on chronic illness I’ve ever read! One that actually knows what it’s on about - the opposite of the let’s control and manage approach we’re usually fed. I’d also been wondering at the latest chronic illness stats for the US - when I first started my research back in 2018, it was 50% for the US (now 60%) and 30% for the UK (now 34%).