Fearless
on reflecting on last year, cracking open the new diary to draw my goals and settling on my word for the year
Dear Musers
When we packed up our camping gear after nine days camping by the river at an idyllic spot, I stalled. The days had been delicious, tank-filling. Sun on my back, cool clear water gushing across the rocks, swims against the current, laughter and chats with friends, lazing in the hammock reading, listening to birdsong, watching sunsets and trees, fish freshly pulled from the river and shared like loaves and fishes. I didn’t want it to end.
Our friends had left a few days before us. I didn’t want them to go, but they all had plans and after they’d left, it was just M and I. As we settled into our pace, a drive here, a cuppa, small chatter, a dip in the river (and a tiny hiccup with food poisoning from a pie), I pulled out my 2024 diary, pens and pencils and began my thinking and planning for the year ahead. My favourite time of year. Goal setting. (I’ve written about it here, here and here and probably a dozen other places)
I may be the last person on earth to have a paper diary, but it provides focus. The act of preparing the diary is when my year’s goals, manifestations and plans come together. I am not a resolution kind of person, but I take time thinking about the shape of the year. Then I create the icons that I colour in as the year unfolds. It’s deeply gratifying visually and mentally.
For those who have loved my diaries from the past, here are snapshots of last year’s.
Looking at last year, the best thing is seeing how the number of days of migraine attacks diminished (the grid of black boxes) from 16-21 a month to 8-11 a month. It’s been a long hard battle that has been with me for most of my life and I am deeply thankful for my neurologist’s care. I can even imagine a life, now, where they are a rare thing.
Last year was hard in many ways, for me and the world. But there were wonderful moments in there. A short story published, more time with good friends, a wonderful work contract, read many great books, my first retreat’s success, good health for my family, a wonderful yoga teacher, less migraine attacks, and you. The growth in my readership and responses to my newsletters has been great to remind me why I do this.
I had also been trying to land on a word for this year for a number of weeks and it came to me on that last day as I stumbled over the rocks into the water.
Fearless
As I entered the river with a fearlessness after we’d packed the car, I noticed how my confidence clambering over the rocks had grown. Then I knew my word for 2024.
fearless
/ˈfɪələs/
adjective
This year is going to look a little different for me, and for you. I am committing to a two newsletters a month, alternating between one for all subscribers and one for paying subscribers. At this stage, I am open to what I will be putting into the paid subscription newsletter, so watch this space (or shoot me a message if there’s something you would like to know more about).
My days are also going to look a little different as I take on communications and editing freelance to allow more time for my writing, running retreats and coaching.
My lungs are full of air and excitement, edge-of-the-cliff ready to stretch my wings. I’ve jumped off the metaphorical cliff enough now to know I have wings and that I am only here because I want to see what I am capable of. A delicious, and privileged, space to be in.
Five things
I loved this idea of a daily writing routine from Ian Fleming that a friend sent me. It allows for time to do the other things, to exercise, spend time in the sun. When I go away to write, it is intense and I come home wrung out. I am stealing a little from Fleming’s routine to carve out something that keeps my body healthy and me in touch with the world around me.
It was deeply sad coming home to no dog. I don’t know when this sadness will end, and when I’ll put her beds away but I am learning to sit in this discomfort for now.
I have decided to start an open house night each week for stragglers and friends to join us for dinner and it is already filling my heart.
Time spent with friends is the best way to fill an empty tank.
A line someone said that kept them sane as younger parents was It just gets better. It is so true and I wish I had been told that when my boys were young. I’m using this with other parents as it may be the glimmer of optimism that they need.
So, my friends, I hope that you are seeing in the new year well, that you have plans and dreams that excite you. I would love to hear more about what these are and how you come to them.
As always, thanks for reading and thanks in advance for you shares, comments and likes. They buoy me on.
Til next time
x Meg
PS … Writing retreats!
If you want to attend one of my writing retreats this year to help you achieve your writing goals for the year, they are filling fast. February only has one spot left, so don’t wait too long to commit to that. April is booked out but you can go on the waiting list by emailing me. There are a couple of spots left for the June and August retreats and a couple more for the October and December retreats.
https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=fearless&tl=true
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearless
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fearless
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/fearless
me
Oh, I love the 'it just gets better' !!! I am hanging on to that