New Year, New City, New Word
Time to move on . . . and go deep
Hello and Happy New Year! This New Year’s letter is all about reflecting, looking ahead, and centering on a word that expresses where I’m heading in 2025.
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How are you feeling about the year that’s past and the year that’s ahead? I did two end-of-year workshops that helped me think deeply about these questions. I’ll share the two wonderful facilitators of these workshops below so you can check out their work.1
My two big takeaways
Looking back at 2024 I saw some things that I’ve lost, things I didn’t want to lose. But what is most important to remember is why those things were important to me and what values of mine they tapped into. I can let go by finding new ways to honor those values and express them. I don’t have to let go of the parts of myself that came to life in those contexts. I can remember what is truly important to me and go after that in other ways in the new year! (Thank you, Cynthia, for this insight!)
I need to develop a daily ritual. I’ve really been longing for grounding, and my attempts to find that externally haven’t worked out. So I’ve been looking for it within, meditating and journaling more. Now I’d like to settle into a practice that makes this a habit rather than an occasional exercise. (Thank you, Laurel, for helping me see this!)
Where will the new year take you?
My new year will very soon be taking me to Manchester. I am moving there to be closer to the university while I continue my MA in creative writing course. The commute has been too much (I’d been having vertigo after the stress of going back and forth), and I need to get the most out of the course and connect more with the people I’m meeting in Manchester. I’m sad to leave Edinburgh, but these past few months, I’ve not really been fully here or fully in Manchester. I want to embrace where life has led me with this course and make the most of it. Manchester has so much to offer, and I’m excited about my new apartment and my new city. Updates to follow!
Lastly, I want to share the word that I’ll be focusing on this year. In 2023, my word was “Opening.” And it pretty much was for 2024 as well. I have a lot of affection for that word, and it is still very much with me. But it’s time for a new one, so this year my word is:
DEEPER
“Deeper” expresses my desire to dig into the life I’m in, to deepen my relationships, to mine this very rich vein of life I have found. My travels took me far and wide and spread me rather thin. I opened myself to the world, and now that I have landed where I am, I want to go deep instead of wide. I’m already putting practices in place that will help me do that. I’ve been meditating a lot more, which is helping center me and connect with what’s important to me.
What about you? Where do you find yourself as the calendar turns over another year? Do you have a word that expresses the value or desire on which you want to focus in 2025? Is there something you need to implement that you will help you on that path? Are you headed somewhere (literally or figuratively) that will open you or take you deeper? I can’t wait to read your responses to this one!
One more thing: THANK YOU for being a part of this Audacious project I started last spring. I am so grateful for every one of you, whether your reach out in the comments or via email or prefer just to read. You can’t know what it means to me to write for you, how much it helps me process this sometimes crazy Life 2.0 I’m living, and how insanely much it means to me that you are all out there, caring enough about what I’m doing to read what I have to say about it. As I’ve said before, once my course is over, next fall, I look forward to creating more opportunities for us to connect. For now, though, I want you to know how much I value your presence and your attention.
See you in the comments!
Anne
P.S. On the subject of Opening, I also wanted to let you know that there are only 4 spots left in the retreat I’ll be co-leading in Sicily in October.
Hoorah for moving to Manchester!
My word for 2025 is release. I'm intending to clear out old stuff so I don't leave it for my daughter to do when I'm gone. I've discovered the process is called Swedish Death Cleaning. I'm still healthy but about to be 90, so I have to get to it and do it. A new thing I've started is sketching at the breakfast table. One or two simple drawings inspired by art of the delightful and witty Maira Kalman.
Happy New Year Anne! I think your move to Manchester will be soothing, which sounds like an odd word for a very busy city, but living in the same place you're doing the course will take out so much friction in your life, and enable you to make connections with others both on your course and during other activities you'll pursue.
Deeper is a great word to delve into parts unknown. I love that!
I've never had a WOTY before, but I found the 'Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025' journal from Project You, via a mention on Emma Gannon's substack. I immediately sought it out, bought it, and spent some good time over 'Twixmas' completing the prompts. It was the first time I've ever really looked back on any year or looked forward with a plan, and I did enjoy it.
As a result of that, my word/theme for 2025 is 'NOURISH'. For me this means nourishing my mind, my body, and my spirit in careful, nurturing ways. I am very much a 'head' person, ignoring my body and spirit completely. Now is the time to recognise that I really am more than just a brain and a mind. Here's hoping it will be fruitful!
Looking forward to hearing about all your new adventures in Manchester. At least now you can avoid all the pitfalls of the dreadful British train service!