P.S. Some bonus fun for our first day...

Here is a small ritual recipe for creating more inner space, and an invite to integrate 2024 and open into 2025 in community. Feel free to make it your own! It can be for Winter Solstice, which is on Saturday, December 21st, or for the end of the year or anytime in between.

☕ Early morning before dawn or in the evening: Make a cup of your favorite tea, coffee, or hot chocolate in a special mug (grandma’s china, your favorite cup, with a new purchase specially for this ritual). In the dark sip your brew, going back through your year and naming your favorite moments.

🕯️ Light a candle, saying you gratitude out loud and naming what you would like to call in for 2025.

💫 Over the next few days name what you want to release and state what you are opening to: as you drive, on walks, while waiting in line. Repeat each statement at least three times, and take a breath after each sentence.

Here are three examples:

I release not prioritizing my health. Breathe. I release not prioritizing my health. Breathe. I release not prioritizing my health. Breathe. I listen to what my body needs for nourishment. Breathe. I listen to what my body needs for nourishment. Breathe. I listen to what my body needs for nourishment. Breathe. Feel what it would be like to listen to your body.

I release self-judgment. Breathe. I release self-judgment. Breathe. I release self-judgment. Breathe. I open to self-intimacy. Breathe. I open to self-intimacy. Breathe. I open to self-intimacy. Breathe. What does self-intimacy feel like in your being?

I release taking on other people’s drama. Breathe. I release self-judgment. Breathe. I release taking on other people’s drama. Breathe. I release taking on other people’s drama. I keep my focus on my path. Breathe. I keep my focus on my path. Breathe. I keep my focus on my path. Breathe. Imagine acknowledging someone else’s drama or fears without taking their emotional content or worry on.

Pick a word that will be your intent for 2025 before the end of the year. (My word last year was Sanctuary.) Create something to remind you of your intent: draw a picture, make a little collage, create something on your computer.