I’d like to start my first blog post of 2023 with a journal prompt:
What loving commitment can you make for yourself that will support your mental health this year?
(I will come back to that in a bit.)
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash
But first let me introduce myself
My name is Sophie and you’re reading this because you’ve been with me, since the start of my blogging journey OR you practise Baptiste Yoga OR you signed up for my free IVF Prep Guide.
I’m dropping in to say hi how are you. I haven’t been writing in exactly ONE YEAR, OMG! And the reason for that is I shifted my energy towards creating content for my @bravinginfertility gram.
For those who know me, knows that I suffer from acute overwhelm-nitis. I could have done both but creating reels takes up as much energy as it does with blogging. And I’m glad I took this year out.
why I am here today
My purpose in writing today is to share my "Year in Review", or as I like to call it - Creating my New Year of Possibilities. It consists of FOUR things -
“High and lows of the previous year”, “What I will do in 2023”, and “my 2023 WORD of the Year”
(Scroll down if you want to jump right into it)
I’ve been doing this since 2017, and every year, it has been a real struggle to continue this self-made tradition. However, I know I’m doing myself a disservice for not celebrating and remembering the good and the bad that has happen. And by doing this very process, I’m creating space for new possibilities in my life.
I’m a little late with my New Year post, so my apologies. Obviously by right, I should have written (and sent this off) before 31st Dec 2022. But by wrong, WAIT - there is nothing wrong. I just needed a little bit more time to get my groove and get inspired.
I’m going to pause and affirm this:
"It is safe. It is never too late. There is enough time."
Full disclosure, this post has been sitting in my Evernote for a good 2 months. I was tempted not to post it. And this week, whilst I was trying to find inspiration for my Tuesday Yoga for Self Care class, I found a quote on Instagram which said, "REST is more than napping on the sofa. REST is anything that makes your nervous system feel safe enough to switch off so your mind and body can recover and restore."
Boom! I thought this was the perfect description of my class. And just like that, I was inspired to write and so here we are.
RESTING
- that is a loving commitment my students make for themselves every week, and I want more of that too, for me.
I want to lovingly commit to
Take time to REST even when I do not have the time.
I do not have to exercise every day. I really don't.
Taking time to listen to my body more.
And I thought it is nice to lovingly commit to something instead of making the old boring resolutions.
So whether not, you have a practise of writing new year resolutions, perhaps you will try a new way of looking at it? Can I invite you to take our journal or your phone and make a list:
What loving commitment can you make for yourself that will support your mental health this year?
I would love to hear what you write. Share in the comments below?
With so much Love and Light. Sophie
PS. And I didn’t forget why I’m showing up in your inbox. Scroll down to read my New year of Possibilities list
If you wish to create your own New Year Possibilities- click HERE to find out how.
“Remember that “It’s safe. It’s never too late. There is enough time.””
New Year of Possibilities 2023
(1) 2022 Highlights
(my joy list, my wins, milestones)
Holidays: Travelled to UK 3 x and gallivanted down to Spain, Portugal, Dubai, Bali, Phuket, Dubai
Ticked camel riding off my bucket list
Went back to my favourite hotel in Phuket for Xmas - Renaissance Hotel
Started a new hobby - (Sugar)boxing
I’ve a new niece named Asiyah
Got my post grad certificate in positive psychology
Dancing (still) twice a week
Got featured in my dance teacher’s youtube video
Stopped feeling guilty about not posting on social media
Doing yin yoga with my husband
Syncing my yoga practicing according to my cycIe
Create a Freebie for my IVF community
Nurturing a private FB group called Calm Courage - Anxiety support for IVF warriors
I co-hosted an IVF group meeting for the Fertility Support Group Singapore (FSS)
Consistently teaching my weekly Yoga for Self Care
(2) 2022 SURRENDER LIST
(my lows, things I'm leaving behind)
Negative self-talk
Things I can't control
my infertility diagnosis
Comparing myself to others to move to another apartment
Phone got stolen
Not being consistent with meditating and yoga
Dropped my Baptiste Yoga morning classes
(3) In 2023 I will .........
List down list of loving commitments/possibilities/mindsets/habits for the new year and things I can do better, things that were missing in 2022, things to keep doing, things I want to make happen
Surrender to things I can't control
Do one thing that gives me joy every day
Allow myself to Rest without guilt or judgement
remember to stop and breathe more
Be the best, kindest version of myself
Complete my bebomia certification (march 2023)
re-start my weekly yoga sutras sessions with AYP
Walking daily
Waking early to meditate and journal
Write a monthly blog post
Prepare for bedtime at 10
Yin Yoga every week
Rest more
(4) My Word for 2023
My word for 2022 was SELF-CARE
Self-care is super important to me. I made time for it. Mine ranged from dancing, massages, long walks, yoga, meditation, and teaching - things that require me to be singly focused on one thing for that hour.
For sure, my mind wanders, but to me self-care is all about prioritising me and thankfully the most of the activities I choose has a meditative quality to it where I learn to slow down and quieten the mind.
And for 2023, I was deciding between TRUST, SURRENDER and ABUNDANCE. And a friend asked me why I chose them, so that’s a very good question, so I’m choosing:
Abundance because…
I’ve been repeating a morning affirmation which goes like this:
I am grateful for all the joy, love and abundance that will bring me today, I am open to receive and I’m ready.
And a few days ago, a friend wrote about doing Gabrielle Bernstein’s Manifesting challenge, and i think that is a sign. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the deadline to sign up but I remembered I had her book (which I bought and haven’t read) and thus I started listening to her “Dear Gabby” podcast and whatever she is saying or eating, I WANT IT!
I want to manifest abundance whatever it looks like. I want to surrender to magic, miracles and blessings. I want trust that the Universe has my back. I want to trust the choices I make is right for that moment, and I have the power to choose again.
“In order to experience Abundance, you have let it go.
Let go of the thoughts that doesn’t serve you or makes you anxious. If it’s happening in the future, give it up; If it’s in the past, give it up.
Give up the clutter, the noise, the things that get in your way of
Peace, Bliss and Growth.”