20 for 2020

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Whew. It’s been so long since I actually wrote something just for me and not with some end goal in mind . And this took me a full week of half typing in my notes app on my phone during nap times while an aggressive toddler was attached to my breast. (But I digress) Just so you don’t think I magically got to sit for hours sipping hot coffee writing this. Same with the vision board, half of the time was spent trying to “help” Clare with hers. Mom life.

Discernment.

But first - my word of the year. This will be the 6th year I’ve chosen a “word” for the year. For me that is a way of looking at the year through the lens of a specific word that invokes a specific way of being. I always like words that can go in many directions. 2019 was Pause, 2018 was Whole, 2017 was Allow, 2016 was Enough and 2015 was Presence. And they are all words that have built on one another and there are pieces that I have taken with me into the following years. So for 2020 - my word is Discernment. The main definition is “The ability to judge well” - there is also a sub religious description of “perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.” At first I was turned off because I am not religious at all. But…spiritual I think can be self-spiritual self-guidance. So I am translating it to mean the ability to be judicious in my own choices and on how they affect me as a whole person. I am in Tiffany Han’s Inner Circle this year and something she said recently I want to tattoo on my arm:

“My ambition does not negate my humanity.”

I can want to do big and awesome things and still take care of myself. Here’s to being discerning in how to do both.

And for the list….I’ve always liked the 18 for 18, 19 for 19, etc lists that Gretchen Rubin on the Happier podcast has coined, but the last two years have been kind of insane with child-having, business-buying & building, etc so I didn’t actually do them. But 2020 felt like a good year to do it. It appears most people use them as a part resolution, part to do list, part bucket list for the year. So here is what I’ve come up with for my 20 for 2020 and how I plan to accomplish / track these.

  1. Become a certified Birthing from Within Mentor

    Birthing From Within was the book that really helped me with both of my births so last year I decided to get dual certified for childbirth with them. I love that they call their educators “mentors” and I’ve completed Crossing the Threshold (The Root will be hosting it again in March!) and Heart of Mentoring. The next 9 months will be the full - on birthing from within mentor certification.

    • Budget time in my life and schedule to work through the program

    • Schedule “Taste of BFW Classes” to practice the new skills

2. Do at least 20 Birth Story Medicine® Sessions

I’m still getting my sea legs with this very unique way of listening and healing birth stories and I hope to do more continuing education and mentoring and do at least 20 of these in 2020 (hopefully more!)

3. Launch 2 new offerings at the studio

I have so many ideas for things I want to start offering, but I think realist-wise knowing that I’m only capable of probably 2, when it comes to creating curriculum, etc for something new. Keep an eye out on sacroot.com for these!

4. Relentless and unapologetic self care

I am an introverted (surprise if you didn’t know that about me!) , empath, enneagram 2 and Highly Sensitive Person. I do work where I am caring for others and holding space on the regular. I also have two small children. It is a non-negotiable to take care of myself so that I can take care of others. It’s not a luxury. It’s not selfish. It’s imperative. For the health of the business and the health of my family, I must do this. Here are a few things that fall under that.

    • Monthly float

    • Monthly massage

    • Monthly acupuncture

    • Monthly chiropractic

    • Monthly EFT

    • Daily Quiet Alone time

    • Tarot (daily, moon cycles, seasonal)

    • Wash my damn face at night

    • Saying No even when I want to say yes. Saying no especially if I’m saying yes because I feel like I should.

    • Reading

    • Prioritizing nourishing foods and adequate water

    • Monthly SF trip

5. Take a Legit Lunch Break Everyday.

This could fall under the previous one but really needs it’s OWN line. I need to schedule in that break - whether at work or just home with the kids. Eating at weird times or on the go is not serving my health at all.

6. Dive more fully into Intuitive Eating

On the food note - I’ve been slowly over the past year or 2 been dipping my toe into intuitive eating. I have a couple friends who have really gone deep into it, and I hope this is the year I do so as well.

7. Reconnect with my yoga practice and joyful movement in general

2019. Ugh. I barely practiced yoga for myself. Sure, I do the class with my prenatal and postpartum moms, but I can count on one, maybe two hands the amount of times I went to a yoga class just for myself. I recognize that the way my life is set up may not include practicing in a group setting as often as I’d like, but I NEED to get back into the practice (and to other joyful movement, like Zumba.) Ana’s monthly Amba Moons will help too. But twice a week Joyful Movement would be wonderful.

8. Learn and Incorporate more Ayurvedic Practices.

I’ve been drawn to Ayurveda for a while. I think the first book I read about it was when I was pregnant with Clare, or maybe when I went off the pill and was having all of those crazy side effects?! The rhythm of it and the ritual of it fits well with me and I feel better if I’m following some of those things. I’ve got the tongue scraping habit down. I have a seasonal Ayurvedic cookbook. I’ve read a couple books, but I am always open to more recommendations!

9. Develop my personal Tarot practice.

I spent the last year pulling a card a day for about 80% of the time and I did spreads for every new and full moon. But I really want to learn more ways to intuitively read them. Chris got me Biddy Tarot’s 31 days to Intuitive reading for Christmas, and I imagine I’ll do something with Wild Soul Healing this year because I love her podcast.

10. Catch up on 2018-19 Photo albums and develop a system for 2020

I was religious about project life photo albums right up till Charlotte was born, and then throw the business into the mix and the last two years have been nothing. Someone recently told me about the project life app so I am going to try that since I like her layouts. Committing to dumping photos into a folder each month and spending 10-minute increments a few times a week on that organization.

11. Make Writing (journaling, blogging, just WRITING a priority)

It doesn’t have to look or feel perfect, but I know I feel better when I’m spending quiet time writing more frequently. Some may not know, but that’s what my college degree is ACTUALLY in - Creative Writing. The birth work came later.

12. 12 Months of Something Creative/Crafty

Yet another thing that I know I feel better when I do something crafty or creative. Anyone want to join me on this habit? I’m gonna count this vision board for January. Sarah and I are suppose to go to AR Workshop soon. Would like to do something every month. Some small, some big. Just SOMETHING. And be discerning about what fits in a particular month.

13. Host 3 Unique Gatherings

Favorite Things Party. Book Swap, Etc. I was super inspired reading The Art of Gathering and I’d really like to incorporate her principles to both my personal and work life.

14. Teach myself a few new songs on the piano and start teaching Clare.

Little shuts my brain off as much as sight-reading music. It gets me into a different state, and I need to do it more often. And Clare has been dying to learn, so I suppose it’s about time I brushed off my piano teacher hat and started teaching her. Even if she is a bit young.

15. See 24 Shows

Marcie and I literally already have 17 on the list with the end of this year’s Broadway Sac and Sf tix plus Music Circus, Cap Stage and possibly one at Harris Center. It should be no trouble to get the other 7 once they announce the next season of Broadway Sac/SF. Theater brings me all the joy and clearly I make it a priority.

16. See 12 Movies

Surprisingly this one will probably be harder to manage than the shows. These could be at home or in theater, but I do love movies as well so I’d really like to try to see one a month (ish).

17. Read 24 Books

Follow me on Goodreads. 30 was a bit too lofty a goal last year with the demands of two young kids and the business. But 2 per month seems doable for 2020.

18. One day per month with NOTHING on the calendar

No explanation necessary. White Space.

 19. Visit at least one new place.

I’m not much of a traveler, but when we go somewhere, we tend to go to the same places. I’d like to visit at least one new city I’ve never been to this year.

20. Wear more red lipstick. (AKA experiment with style and being bold and out there)

Stop hiding and trying to take up LESS space. That’s the patriarchy and it’s bullshit.

Alright. That’s it for 2020. A whole lot of self care and goals that bring me joy. What are your aspirations as we start this new decade??