31 Comments

I love how DREAM seems to be a great theme for the year. I am working towards manifesting my own dream of becoming a full-time writer. Reading this was very inspirational. Thanks.

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Oh wonderful, a beautiful dream to have and I am sure it will become a reality and a 'dream life' for you before long! I am so glad this post helped a little. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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A poetic reflection on the year gone by. It beautifully captures the essence of slow living and the profound lessons learned. Here's to a year filled with dreams, creativity, and the joy of living slowly.

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Thank you so much ! I hadn't written poetry in maybe over 20 years so it was really fun to explore that medium. I really hope this does inspire some slow living vibes for people this January. ✨💞

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I love the idea of a slow January Emily, but feel as though there is too much calling my attention at the minute. How beautiful that you wrote a poem and I love those oracle cards. What experience have you had with them so far? 🙏💫

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I totally understand... it's got to be the right time. You can take elements and inspiration from slow living and move gently. When you have a lot going on and lots of demands for your attention ... I like to practice single-tasking as much as possible. Multitasking often feels like the best way to get through never ending to do lists and jobs, but often just focusing on a single task at a time and moving through it helps a great deal ... Your mind and to do list!

I've loved the oracle cards ... Provides lots of inspiration when writing my morning pages. And I'm not sure if it's a coincidence... But I'm remembering my dreams more clearly in the morning too!

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That’s great advice Emily. 💫🙏

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This really resonated as my word for this year is SLOW. After a supremely quiet start & feeling all the post covid things, I am seeing the word slow everywhere!

God has been nudging this change for a while, I think I have finally caught up & understand it.

Here’s to a slower more productive year with plenty of creativity & space wrapped around it.

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This is wonderful and I so believe in the signs around you and just taking time to notice them. Slow living has changed my life so much for the better, I really hope it does for you too. And please do read some of my other slow and gentle living posts if you have time and reach out if you need or want to chat about anything at all. 🙏

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Thank you that is super kind. 🧡

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"There is no rush to figure it all out straight away, and then start taking giant leaps forwards." I really felt this, I'm here for the quiet power of slow sustainable changes you can walk forward hand-in-hand with that will support and carry us throughout the following week, month and year. They'll still blossom into a beautiful in a vibrant and fulfilling life x

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YES! It was honestly an epiphany for me too. As soon as you start being kinder to yourself, listening to the voice within and moving in rhythm with the ebb and flow of nature you take the pressure off! In doing so, your power, strength, energy, inspiration and focus have time to flourish. It is wonderful.

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Such beautiful words, refreshing to the soul. My word of the year is "color."

After consuming too much media of minimalistic, beige, monochromatic styles I found myself bored. This year I am allowing myself to like color! Whether that is in clothing, home decorating, painting, or even in being more of an expressive person, I want my days to be more colorful.

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Thank you so much.

I love your word so much, I can see how it will be such a fun and inspirational word for the year - as you said, it can influence so many aspects of life. I feel inspired just thinking about it!

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As someone who has historically had his challenges with January, this article was a breath of fresh air. Thank you, Emily, for the gentle reminders... ☺️

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Thank you! I was absolutely the same. I felt very uneasy with January in the past, expecting way too much of myself! I am very happy to have provided some reassurance for people, that January is a slow, reflective, restorative and quietly optimistic month and that is it's offering to us.

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Have you still got your poems from high school?? I wish I could find my poem book. 😔

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No, I don't ! I got rid of most of my old school stuff. I have kept most of my university work but not all... Sometimes I do regret my minimalist energy after a cull 😂

I hope you find yours ! 🙏

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I too have been savouring @beth kempton Winter Writing Sanctuary. A wonderful way to enter a new year with creativity in your soul.

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I totally agree- she has been so generous and made such a difference to so many.

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I love the oracle deck! It will be a wonderful tool to incorporate into your day🌟

I have a pretty packed schedule this month, mostly self inflicted haha. But this newsletter helps me take it down a notch when I feel like I have to run through things at full speed💕

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It's a beautiful deck of cards ... I'm really enjoying incorporating them into my journaling.

I think having a full plate is wonderful 🙌 I, too am bursting with inspiration and things I'd like to do this year ... The key is remembering to listen to your inner voice and knowing that it's ok to slow down.

Often in slowing down you can speed up ... as your energy and focus increases 🙏

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I will keep that in mind🍀

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Ahh, you got the cards. Great!

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I did !!!! I am really enjoying using them. I have been choosing one before writing my morning pages and I really love the gentle focus it gives.

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I love this piece Emily, thank you for writing it! I used to despise January, but now I really think it’s up there as one of my favourite months. It’s one of the few times of year we can really lean into rest! I feel called to slow down in all areas at the moment, particularly with work. I just have less energy at the moment but I’m coming to realise that is actually natural this time of year. Im doing my best to not feel guilty about not feeling productive and giving my self some leeway for a little while x

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Thank you for sharing! I totally agree... I used to feel its weight of expectation as it got closer! But you are so right, it is the perfect month to lean into rest and have a gentle start to the year! I think it is really helpful to think about nature, after all we are natural beings - and there is not one animal, organism or element of nature that can be blooming, and 'on' all the time. Aligning with natural rhythm and cycles can really help allow your body and mind to seek out the calm and rest when it is needed, and then drive forward and flourish when the time comes too. I hope you continue to have a slow and gentle January.

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I needed to hear all of this! Thank you Emily!

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I am so glad. A slow start to the year can be just as powerful and impactful !

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I too have been savouring @beth kempton Winter Writing Sanctuary. A wonderful way to enter a new year with creativity in your soul.

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I too have been savouring @beth kempton Winter Writing Sanctuary. A wonderful way to enter a new year with creativity in your soul.

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