Embracing a Slow January

January brings the quiet moments that allow us to reflect on the beauty of starting anew

This voiceover is an audio version of my Slow Sunday Letter below. It is unedited, so may have some stutters, imperfections, and background noise. I hope you enjoy listening to it anyway!

Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a gentle community for YOU. We find pockets of time for slow & gentle living, books, writing, journaling & life affirming work. You are so welcome here in our cosy space, grab a cuppa & stay a while... 🐢🙏📚☕💌

Welcome back to another Slow Sunday Letter! I hope you have had a slow and gentle week.

“Slow living is all about creating time and space and energy for the things that matter most to us in life, so ask yourself what you have to gain?” - Brooke McAlary

I love the energy in January. After the lights, sparkle and noise of Christmas, I really embrace the slower energy offered in January. I love getting my new notebooks, journals and diaries and thinking about my intentions for the year ahead. There is a gentle hum of anticipation as we move into a new year, and begin to bed down in January, and I think it has a lot of quiet power. A time of fresh starts and new beginnings, but also a time to slow down and get cosy.

January is a wonderful month to embrace Slow Living, if you lean into the quiet and the gentle pull inward.

So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s explore a slow January today …

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An Intentionally Slow Start to the New Year

So, how is the beginning of the year going for you?

I haven't always embraced the slow energy of January, in fact historically it has felt like a really demanding and overwhelming month for me, and probably you too! With so much external pressures to ‘hit the ground running’ - there can be a lot of pressure as we embark on a new year to be ‘your best self’, to join the gym or start moving through your resolutions or goals at record speed. You feel behind, before you have even started.

Slow living has given me so much peace and calm, and never more so, than as I take my first steps into the new year. I am easing into 2025 with intentionally slower energy. I am bursting with inspiration and motivation for the year ahead, but I am not rushing forward - instead I am allowing for a quiet, slow, and mindful approach. I feel so reflective and thoughtful this month, I want to take my time to think about the path I am on, and what direction I am heading in.

There is no rush to figure it all out straight away, and then start taking giant leaps forwards. First and foremost you are enough exactly as you are. You do not need to be ‘more’ or ‘better’.

January is a time to embrace wonderful you, whilst feeding on the optimistic energy and magic of potential that January offers.

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My Top 3 Slow Living Tips for a Slow January

Is it just me or do the first few weeks of the year feel special? Somehow apart from the rest of the year and the ordinary? As if a veil has fallen temporarily over our normal lives.

January is slower, quieter and there is so much magic and possibility in the air.

It is the perfect time to weave a spell of your own over these first few weeks of a new year. I invite you to invite a slow, gentle and restorative energy into this space and tap into some of this magic before we get going with the year ahead.

My Top 3 Slow Living Tips for a Slow Start to the year…

1) Slow down and breathe. Let the world move around you and let go of some of those ‘to dos’ – enjoy welcoming in a little peace and calm. See where the days take you, let them unfold naturally - and don’t plan so much. Intentionally slow down and see where your attention is being drawn.

2) Allow softness and joy. In these precious first few weeks of the year, let go of the pressure to start the year ‘strong’ – go gently. Give yourself permission to rest. This is your time to love yourself for getting through another year, and welcoming a brand new one. You’ve ebbed and flowed throughout the year - and now is the time to rest and welcome a new year and all its possibilities.

3) Waste time. If wasting time means sleeping in, going for a walk in the morning sunshine, catching up with friends, crafting, watching afternoon movies under a blanket, trying a new hobby, reading a book all day, or having a nap – let’s do it! It is never a waste to do something you love or to take the time to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

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Journal Prompts: January

Channel the gentle vibes of January and use it to seek a closer connection with your inner voice.

If you journal regularly, or if you don’t at all – grab a pen and a notebook, curl up under a blanket, light a candle and make yourself a hot drink – consider the following questions…

• How am I feeling right now?

• What is my spirit calling forward to me?

• What new dreams are asking for my attention?

• What do I feel ready to begin?

• How can I slow down this month?

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Slow & Steady - My NEW Paid Membership!

Would you like company through a slow and steady year? Then join my new membership!

A cosy and gentle space to gather together, learn from and inspire one another. Go deeper into Slow & Gentle Living and what it can mean for you.

Slow & Steady will offer 12 exclusive letters for members moving through each month of 2025. The membership is an extension of my free offerings, a deeper and more personal dive into slow and gentle living, creative work and my own life and experiences.

I do hope you will consider joining Slow & Steady - for £3.50 a month (or £35 a year), you will get an exclusive monthly letter, access to our members only journal chat space and a personal welcome letter from me to you!

I would be over the moon to welcome you. To read more about what my new membership includes read my launch post below!

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A Slow January

“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.” - Katherine May

As the seasons change and the demands of nature shift in gentle rhythm, so do you. Give into its gentle lessons, and softer moments and you will emerge rested, and ready to move onward. A slow January has enormous purpose, a period of quiet, inward reflection will serve to comfort and reinvigorate you for the coming seasons.

I really hope you embrace the slowness of January, and use it to move intentionally into 2025. In doing so, you will give yourself the precious gift of time to build up your energy, which will support you as you move deeper into the year.

If you feel able, please do share how you feel called to slow down this January … and as ever I am here to help you embrace slow and gentle living in any way I can.

I would really love to know your thoughts and if any of this resonated with you - if you feel able, please do share in the comments.

Thank you for being here,

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