Hi everyone,
I have a ritual in December around the Solstice to set aside some not-too-formal time to get a larger feel for the year that has passed.
For those of you that appreciate a glimpse into the year, here are a few highlights I'll share here:
For Real Food Wellness:
This past Spring, I resumed in-person sessions one day a week which felt utterly bizarre for about a month, after such a long time away from the office during the pandemic.
Real Food Wellness launched its first 1-Day eating psychology in-person retreat which was very well received, enough for an encore offering in January if you'd like to join (this time online for those that prefer it)
The Real Food Wellness website had a make-over. A bit boring, so long story short, my old Wordpress site was one update away from crashing so I hired a Wix team to migrate my site and several years worth of blogs, and voila, new functional site as well as a new newsletter format that works better too. We did have a couple snafus, (I only panicked twice :) ) but we worked through them.
Requests for support reached a high, leading to quite a waiting list this year (especially over the Fall). I am extremely grateful to offer something that meets the legitimate needs of others. One-on-one work delights me to no end. I also plan to continue group offerings as there's a type of camaraderie and healing that can happen in community. (Past clients: you can reach out for check-in sessions as needed. I try and leave a little open space in my calendar each month).
And if you have an interest, the top two articles this year were, interestingly, the most recent ones: The Holy Land of Eating Psychology and Weird Holiday Eating? (if you missed these and would like to read them)
Personally:
My partner and I received our COVID vaccinations early in the year. This change alone made for a huge year for all of us (for better or worse).
I wrapped up a new leg of my scholarly journey completing additional Masters work in the field of Transpersonal Psychology, working to bridge IFS therapy, depth psychology, health psychology, and psycho-shamanic healing and pursued an amazing practicum that helped me do it. This was deeply meaningful personally and really continues to bring a type of integrity to my work that I value so strongly.
I've been participating in monthly drum circles with a small spiritual community I've been a part of for several years. This summer I led one drum circle, teaching, and singing, and drumming and experienced a new sense of power. My parents also were involved with a dimension of this this late summer with my partner and I which touched all four of us a great deal.
I've held steady with my dance life, (one of the reliable streams for renewal for me) learning a new dance form and attending dance classes (online and in person) and, really, I just tend to look for excuses to dance
For those that have an interest in my eating life (since this is a part of my work) not much to report. Things are solid. What I notice marks healing for others and for myself is the right amount of energy invested in diet and eating (not too much or too little). It has a lot to do with the balance between eating well and moving on with life. Yet we each get to decide what our "sweet spot" is. The inner work to get to this place is worth it.
Losses:
This year we've lost a great many people, recently and notably the great poet Robert Bly, the author, teacher, and activist bell hooks, and spiritual teacher Malidome Patrice Somé. These are few among a number of great others.
My partner and I also lost someone to COVID this summer and another to suicide last month, both young people and heartbreaking
Also, a long-time friendship of mine that was no longer healthy ended, which took a great deal of clarity, courage, and love for myself and the other person. Not easy. Given all above, it's been a tender year.
Of course I could get long-winded and keep going, but I will stick with my intent to keep things relatively short.
Though many people post a good deal publicly though channels like social media, I find the most meaningful reflections come when we are alone with ourselves reflecting on our life in a way not overly influenced by social perception. I do hope you do whatever feels great to you personally to mark another year passed.
We are here and alive and can create beauty and meaning simply because we say so.
Have a wonderful New Year. See you in 2022.
With love,
Laura