So… yeah… it’s mid-month now, but nonetheless, I’ve finally written out my goals/notions for the new year and have been putting processes into action over the past couple of weeks.
Self-care and creative-time are taking precedence this year: I’ve scheduled it into my calendar to make time for Pilates’ Wunda Chair twice/week and to get back to a regular morning routine of stretching/breathing (Qi Gong). I’ve also FINALLY unpacked my sewing/craft things and ALL of the machines (sewing/serger/embroidery/Dremel) are plugged in and ready to zip along again. Two and a half years of storage were two and a half years too long for creativity to be put on hold. I’ve missed that creative part of self. I need this to thrive – fully. My first project back was to sew a missing button on a pair of pants. Grins. But, in seriousness, the next project was an apron for my cousin’s b-day. She keeps a couple of goats – who are magnificent – so I sewed up a goat-applique apron for her. Today’s project: A tote-bag (with inner-pocket for a water bottle as well as another inner pocket) that was cut out and packed into a “project stack” before I put everything into storage and eventually unpacked in Westcliffe.
2024 was my biggest year of classes taken within one year. I took six workshops: advanced brain work, thorax/lungs, the entire body of peripheral nerves, advanced “listening”/evaluation techniques as well as a fantastic four-day workshop in SLC taught by Stan Gerome for practitioners to do their own work/be more present in their sessions with clients. Everyday, in the clinic, I use at least one or two techniques I learned this past year. And it has made monumental differences in the work.
BUT taking six classes in a year made it apparent that taking a year off from classes is totally okay too – and this year, I’m ready to nurture my soul again, create, play, get out the acrylics, whittle a bit, and allow my mind to wander, expand, and review more of what I’ve learned. Last week, I read a book about the importance of “leisure time” – as poets, philosophers, and physicists would take a century ago. They went for LONG walks and let their minds be/wander/commune with the Divine/God and ideas/solutions fell upon them with ease. My ancestral roots are deep in nature – in the trees, actually – as my family owned a nursery and we lived with the seasons. My grandparents taught me to listen to the forest and to be present. I will say that my grandma’s “swimming lessons” – me tied to a rope – tied to an inflatable boat with lots of rubber-tape over the holes – and pushed out hard in a big pond – were a little, mmm, cruddy, BUT, I did learn to kinda swim OR at least, NOT drown. Smiles.
Another “goal” for 2025 is to get back to writing a monthly blog. It’s a creative outlet. I maintained a monthly blog with my last two practices (Ohio & Castle Rock, CO). During the pandemic, I kinda shut down expressing anything online or anything at all, really. And now, here we are, five years later, in a changed world. A lot of censorship – MOST especially noted, in my experience, the “misinformation” about mouse vs chipmunk poo that can be found online. Jus’ sayin’ – the world has changed!! (In many more ways than mouse/chipmunk scat – that was a ridiculous example – but I think you get the point.)
So, anyways, in 2025, may you all find joy and peace in nature and dedicate some time to self-care and creativity.
One of my big projects this year is to host a Community Mini-Clinic, held on the first Sunday of each month from 9:30 – 2pm. 30 minute treatments that allow 15 minutes for intake/out-take for $45. These modalities can be life-changing, in regards to pain/dysfunction/optimal function, and offering these mini-treatments is my way of giving to the community. If you know someone who could benefit, please have them call to schedule. I’m putting some flyers around town too.