My wellness experiment is to stop comparing myself to others. It's that simple. And yet is likely to be a complex challenge to overcome as I'm constantly faced with the achievements of others. But I want to be inspired, not compelled, to do likewise. Great post and loving the tights!
My wellness experiments are currently all about nervous system regulation, I truly am coming to believe that everything else flows on from that. Happy new year to you 😊
So many people I’m resonating with here on Substack. I’m also feeling called to journal this year (though I’m always writing ✍️ my chicken scratch notes LOL). Enjoying your writing and your beautiful photos.
Interesting that you're talking about wellness and social media in this post - I've been thinking that the biggest thing I can do for my wellness right now is rethink my relationship with social media. Looking forward to your chat with Kat! (And to seeing you in Alnwick!)
Oh I love your soft transition into the new year. And your questions and journaling prompts make me reconsidering my a little but too intensive goal setting list...
For my wellness I want to get back to my morning yoga ritual and the to shed at least some of those 17 kilos (yikes) I have gained over the last four years. They are nice when it's freezing cold but generally very unconfortable.
I've definitely got Gabrielle's book on my 'want to read' list! I'm thinking a lot about self compassion at the moment and I'm sure her words and suggestions would be a great support in this
My wellness experiment for 2024 is getting back into daily yoga for at least the month of January and spending at least 10 minutes outside every day (unless the frigid Michigan winter air makes it hazardous for health). I’m setting the bar low-ish so that I can add to these practices throughout the year.
This sounds such a nice set of habits to work on Jillian - getting outside should be the easiest but like you sometimes I’m like Ooof it’s cold and raining; meh, I’ll go tomorrow 😆
I’m right there with you! But I’m trying to adopt the Norwegian attitude that “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a work in progress!
My wellness experiment for 2024 sounds completely ridiculous but it is to actually listen to my body & the (many) signals she has been giving me for the longest time. Another round of the pesky c word has meant that wellness is most definitely front & centre all lit up in her finery as I step into this bright new year of possibilities 💫
I'm also reading the Artists Way with the intention of clearing space for and reconnecting with my creativity this year as my wellness experiment. It's founded in the two phrases for the new year "sparkle finding" and "self-honouring". It's starting with a stocktake of everything I am investing in energetically and deciding if it feeeels good for me. If not, them I let it go and create space to be in simplicity and stillness until I feel a sparkle ignited that leads me into a creative pursuit to try. So far painting, writing and a desire to potter and sew/knit have been ignited.
Happy New Year Claire! I am so excited for 2024... in fact I can't remember the last time I felt this excited for a New Year!!!
My wellness experiment is morning pages ! I am doing a read along of The Artist Way - which amongst other things requires daily morning pages for 12 weeks (and hopefully beyond) ... I am hopeful but also worried about sticking to it as a non negotiable!
I'm also doing this, Emily. I'm only on day two and unsurprisingly there have been some very interesting realisations! I'm cheering us on to stay committed and allow our artistry to flow freely.
Me too!!! It s so nice to be able to experience the book in a community as I suspect it will be quite the journey for us all. I am getting used to the early rises for the morning pages, how are you finding them? Do you do them as soon as you wake up or do you get ready (shower etc?) first?
Oh definitely before showering! I'm quite fortunate that I'm already in a journalling routine so the morning pages aren't new as such. But some of the prompts have really opened stuff up! Yeah I definitely work well with accountability so this community approach is really valuable for me. Let's see how we go!
Lovely. It does feel like a magical time doesn't it? I think I'm feeling pulled in two different directions... whether to just wake up and reach for my notebook and pen immediately, or 'wake' up a bit first - grab a cuppa, shower etc .
Less pressure, greater pause. Whether it's counting to 3, before answering, allowing small daily habits eg shower/ coffee, to become ritualistic havens, or the recognition (which I greatly struggle with) that I am not a machine. Give myself permission to take an hour off. A day off. A DND break more than twice a year. Happy New Year 🌟
Thanks Claire. I've just signed up for your social media workshop - sounds like just the sort of thing I need to get my head back into the game with a bit more focus 😊
My wellness experiment is to stop comparing myself to others. It's that simple. And yet is likely to be a complex challenge to overcome as I'm constantly faced with the achievements of others. But I want to be inspired, not compelled, to do likewise. Great post and loving the tights!
My wellness experiments are currently all about nervous system regulation, I truly am coming to believe that everything else flows on from that. Happy new year to you 😊
Happy New Year, Claire.
Love this, thank you:
The Bhagavad-Gita says, “It is better to follow your own path, however imperfectly, than to follow someone else’s perfectly.”
I have been thinking about journaling - this is another gentle nudge in that direction. I am gloriously unburdened by goals for the year.
So many people I’m resonating with here on Substack. I’m also feeling called to journal this year (though I’m always writing ✍️ my chicken scratch notes LOL). Enjoying your writing and your beautiful photos.
Interesting that you're talking about wellness and social media in this post - I've been thinking that the biggest thing I can do for my wellness right now is rethink my relationship with social media. Looking forward to your chat with Kat! (And to seeing you in Alnwick!)
Oh I love your soft transition into the new year. And your questions and journaling prompts make me reconsidering my a little but too intensive goal setting list...
For my wellness I want to get back to my morning yoga ritual and the to shed at least some of those 17 kilos (yikes) I have gained over the last four years. They are nice when it's freezing cold but generally very unconfortable.
Happy new year, Claire.
I appreciated your gentle ease into 2024.
I've definitely got Gabrielle's book on my 'want to read' list! I'm thinking a lot about self compassion at the moment and I'm sure her words and suggestions would be a great support in this
My wellness experiment for 2024 is getting back into daily yoga for at least the month of January and spending at least 10 minutes outside every day (unless the frigid Michigan winter air makes it hazardous for health). I’m setting the bar low-ish so that I can add to these practices throughout the year.
This sounds such a nice set of habits to work on Jillian - getting outside should be the easiest but like you sometimes I’m like Ooof it’s cold and raining; meh, I’ll go tomorrow 😆
I’m right there with you! But I’m trying to adopt the Norwegian attitude that “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a work in progress!
My wellness experiment for 2024 sounds completely ridiculous but it is to actually listen to my body & the (many) signals she has been giving me for the longest time. Another round of the pesky c word has meant that wellness is most definitely front & centre all lit up in her finery as I step into this bright new year of possibilities 💫
Sending love and sparkles Tiffany!! ✨
Thanks lovely Claire 💫
Love this read, thanks Claire!
I'm excited to join you and Kat in Jan.
I'm also reading the Artists Way with the intention of clearing space for and reconnecting with my creativity this year as my wellness experiment. It's founded in the two phrases for the new year "sparkle finding" and "self-honouring". It's starting with a stocktake of everything I am investing in energetically and deciding if it feeeels good for me. If not, them I let it go and create space to be in simplicity and stillness until I feel a sparkle ignited that leads me into a creative pursuit to try. So far painting, writing and a desire to potter and sew/knit have been ignited.
All the best for the New Year ahead!
Lua, x
Happy New Year Lua - love the artist way; it's so anchoring for our creative practise.
Happy New Year Claire! I am so excited for 2024... in fact I can't remember the last time I felt this excited for a New Year!!!
My wellness experiment is morning pages ! I am doing a read along of The Artist Way - which amongst other things requires daily morning pages for 12 weeks (and hopefully beyond) ... I am hopeful but also worried about sticking to it as a non negotiable!
You won the competition Emily - could you email me with your postal address - claire@creativelyconscious.co.uk 🥰
Omg 🥳 I literally never win anything 🙌 I'm over the moon ... Thank you Claire
yay!!! xxx
I'm also doing this, Emily. I'm only on day two and unsurprisingly there have been some very interesting realisations! I'm cheering us on to stay committed and allow our artistry to flow freely.
Me too!!! It s so nice to be able to experience the book in a community as I suspect it will be quite the journey for us all. I am getting used to the early rises for the morning pages, how are you finding them? Do you do them as soon as you wake up or do you get ready (shower etc?) first?
Oh definitely before showering! I'm quite fortunate that I'm already in a journalling routine so the morning pages aren't new as such. But some of the prompts have really opened stuff up! Yeah I definitely work well with accountability so this community approach is really valuable for me. Let's see how we go!
I love to write in the dark early hours. A habit I picked up in the last year from Caro Giles and Beth Kempton. ✨
Lovely. It does feel like a magical time doesn't it? I think I'm feeling pulled in two different directions... whether to just wake up and reach for my notebook and pen immediately, or 'wake' up a bit first - grab a cuppa, shower etc .
Oh how gorgeous - I love the process of The Artist Way and all the possibility of it. Happy New Year.
Oooh I'm reading this too! Love it so much!
Less pressure, greater pause. Whether it's counting to 3, before answering, allowing small daily habits eg shower/ coffee, to become ritualistic havens, or the recognition (which I greatly struggle with) that I am not a machine. Give myself permission to take an hour off. A day off. A DND break more than twice a year. Happy New Year 🌟
Ritualistic havens... mmmmm! How lovely. Happy New Year Rebecca. ✨
Happy New Year Claire 🎉
I love a good sleepy toddler cuddle 🥰
They are getting rarer now so I had to snap that one.
Thank you for sharing my book, Claire, and inviting people to share their wellness experiments, it makes fascinating reading!
You’re super welcome. For me it’s going to be a daily walk in winter... two days done so far and feeling good! ✨❄️🌊
Be more mindful
That's a lovely one Lisa.
Thanks Claire. I've just signed up for your social media workshop - sounds like just the sort of thing I need to get my head back into the game with a bit more focus 😊
Yay - we are soooo excited to share more and get to grips with this important topic.