This year has taught me thr importance of caring for my spirit. I am a classroom teacher and a natural empath. I have set aside one day a week where I stop to get a foot massage and reflexology. It calms me after a crazy day. This first 4 mouths of teaching has had increased demands so I needed to set aside some Saturdays as caring for my spirit day. I programmed it on my calendar and refused to schedule events over it. It's a day when I unplug, take a walk, a long bath, write in my journal, paint, or watch nonsense TV. I love making a warm Jamaican soup that reminds me of my granny. The world is moving fast but I don't have to join the marathon. I can pull over and slowly take the service lane. I'll still get to my destination.
Alex, did you write this just for me? It feels like that! A gentle feather landing right on my heart. Thank you. I loved all your reflections and there was so much I could relate to, including learning to walk alone in 2024, a journey I began in 2023 when I chose to end my 33-year-marriage. The hardest and bravest thing I've ever done but also the most necessary, the most essential for my spirit and soul to flourish in the years ahead. I can't wait to explore the prompts and will sign up for the Insight Timer, course. I subscribe to Sarah Blondin's Substack so am excited she is doing this with you. I am SO ready for a 2024 year of renewal. I am still contemplating my word or phrase for 2024. It may well be LET GO. Because in letting go of so much that has held me back (not people or circumstances but principally myself), I will find ways to ALIGN with my PURPOSE (other words that carry meaning for me in 2024). There is so much I want to and need to "let go" of in 2024. The most surprising thing I've learned this year is that in letting go of my long marriage, I thought that would change everything about my life. But in fact...where ever you go, there you are, as the saying goes. So much more to unpack if I am to truly live the free and authentic life I dream of.
The journal prompts are stunningly good because they are so provocative. By design, I'm spending the holidays alone to reflect--thank you for providing such wonderful questions.
Thankyou for these journal prompts Alex! They are truely thought provoking, I am realising I can't actually find the answers , giving myself grace to is something that is needed.
Hi Alex! I am new here to Substack but I am on Insight Timer and doing the challenge this month. I absolutely LOVED your week! I have kept a journal for years so I was excited that you included that in your offering. I have followed you for years as well so I was looking forward to your week and it did not disappoint! I was brought to tears on two of your days. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world! Much gratitude! 💚
Alex your words resonate with me in so many ways. I lost my mom this year(July 4), my dad in 2020 and it has been a challenge to live alone after being a caregiver for such a long time. The journal questions to reflect on have brought on so many thoughts and tears. the words Seen, Heard, Loved, Aligned, Spacious, Joyful, Open are all something to think about.
“Healing for me in 2023 has meant offering kindness even in the face of adversity and extending grace to others even in instances when it's so much easier not to.” 💜
My word of the year is Expand
Oh, I love that word! Beautiful.
This year has taught me thr importance of caring for my spirit. I am a classroom teacher and a natural empath. I have set aside one day a week where I stop to get a foot massage and reflexology. It calms me after a crazy day. This first 4 mouths of teaching has had increased demands so I needed to set aside some Saturdays as caring for my spirit day. I programmed it on my calendar and refused to schedule events over it. It's a day when I unplug, take a walk, a long bath, write in my journal, paint, or watch nonsense TV. I love making a warm Jamaican soup that reminds me of my granny. The world is moving fast but I don't have to join the marathon. I can pull over and slowly take the service lane. I'll still get to my destination.
Such wonderful self care! Inspiring. Classroom teachers are our society's unsung heroes.
Aww, thank you Amy. We need all the love and support.
Alex, did you write this just for me? It feels like that! A gentle feather landing right on my heart. Thank you. I loved all your reflections and there was so much I could relate to, including learning to walk alone in 2024, a journey I began in 2023 when I chose to end my 33-year-marriage. The hardest and bravest thing I've ever done but also the most necessary, the most essential for my spirit and soul to flourish in the years ahead. I can't wait to explore the prompts and will sign up for the Insight Timer, course. I subscribe to Sarah Blondin's Substack so am excited she is doing this with you. I am SO ready for a 2024 year of renewal. I am still contemplating my word or phrase for 2024. It may well be LET GO. Because in letting go of so much that has held me back (not people or circumstances but principally myself), I will find ways to ALIGN with my PURPOSE (other words that carry meaning for me in 2024). There is so much I want to and need to "let go" of in 2024. The most surprising thing I've learned this year is that in letting go of my long marriage, I thought that would change everything about my life. But in fact...where ever you go, there you are, as the saying goes. So much more to unpack if I am to truly live the free and authentic life I dream of.
My word of the year is alignment.
mine is similar , aligned expansion ✨ alignsion 😂
The journal prompts are stunningly good because they are so provocative. By design, I'm spending the holidays alone to reflect--thank you for providing such wonderful questions.
Alex, may all your wishes come true. D
Lord knows I needed this
Thankyou for these journal prompts Alex! They are truely thought provoking, I am realising I can't actually find the answers , giving myself grace to is something that is needed.
Hi Alex! I am new here to Substack but I am on Insight Timer and doing the challenge this month. I absolutely LOVED your week! I have kept a journal for years so I was excited that you included that in your offering. I have followed you for years as well so I was looking forward to your week and it did not disappoint! I was brought to tears on two of your days. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world! Much gratitude! 💚
My word of the year is "HOPE". Wishing you all the best in this coming year.
My word for 2024 is Boundless....
Alex your words resonate with me in so many ways. I lost my mom this year(July 4), my dad in 2020 and it has been a challenge to live alone after being a caregiver for such a long time. The journal questions to reflect on have brought on so many thoughts and tears. the words Seen, Heard, Loved, Aligned, Spacious, Joyful, Open are all something to think about.
“Healing for me in 2023 has meant offering kindness even in the face of adversity and extending grace to others even in instances when it's so much easier not to.” 💜