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Hello Reader!

Happy Winter Solstice! ❄️ While there are still plenty of dark, cold nights ahead, today, we begin our journey back into the light. ☀️

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

• Winter Solstice celebration & reflections
• An annual planning workshop for explorers
• Current explorations: travel, life, inner journeys
• Podcast launch updates (and a request for help!)

Most people I know can’t wait for Winter to be over. What about you? Personally, I’ve come to embrace this time of year as an opportunity to slow down and recenter.

When the days are longer and the sun lingers, I want to play outside, not sit behind my computer! Dreams I want to build get set aside. Projects I want to start get put on hold.

Winter reminds me that all new life begins in the darkness. 🌌

Whether it’s a seed planted deep beneath the soil or a dream that exists only in your heart right now, we have to slow down and go inward to see the next version of our lives waiting to take shape.

Winter is the perfect season for making the plans that will carry us through the rest of the year. It doesn’t mean doing nothing. It’s about getting quiet enough to hear the voice of our deepest desires. Then, we can use curiosity and intuition to find the best path forward.
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Over the next couple of weeks, we’re about to see a lot of messaging about crushing goals, jumping into action, and making big, bold moves. If that’s your jam, get it! For me, that feels way more like Spring energy.

While I’m all about pursuing big dreams, I cringe at the traditional “New Year, New Me” culture. 😖

I let go of all that hype and hustle in my early 30s, but still wanted a way to stay focused on bringing my big dreams to life. I needed more flexibility to take a detour and deal with life’s unexpected twists. There also had to be space for rest, reflection, and realignment.
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Over the years, I’ve created a process that combines what travel has taught me about staying flexible, the natural rhythms of the seasons, and the mindfulness practices that keep me grounded.

If this sounds like your jam, then you can join me for a new workshop--Mapping Your Year the Explorer’s Way! 🧭

It’s all about helping you get clear on where you want to go, why it matters to you, and allowing intuition and curiosity to show you the most joyful path to get there! You can take the superhighway or the wandering path through the woods. There are no wrong answers.

The live workshop will run twice over the next couple of weeks. For those events, spots are limited to 15 people to make it more interactive.

If you prefer to work through it independently or at your own pace, you can opt for the self-guided version. 🙂

Ready to make some magic in the coming year? Let’s do this!

🧠 Food for Thought:

• How do you feel about the dark days of Winter? Do you enjoy the quiet time, or do you long for warmer, sunnier days? If this time of year is challenging for you, what’s one small shift in your mindset that can allow you to embrace it a little more?
• What’s one idea, creative project, or new pursuit that you’ve been wanting to spend time on? (Think about all the things you say, “I wish I had more time to…”) Can you find a way to dedicate some time to it during these longer nights?

Current Explorations 🧭

🌎 Intentional Travel: I’m starting to get serious about walking the West Highland Way in the Spring! I’ve started looking at flights and mapping out timelines. It’s both exciting and a little scary since I’ve never even done an overnight backpacking trip, let alone nine days solo. 😬 Here for the adventure, and any advice on multi-day treks is very much welcome!

🏡 Everyday Adventures: For the last few years, I’ve set a goal to have at least 100 new experiences every year. I’m ending the Solar Year with 105! This feels amazing, considering I didn’t travel to anywhere that was totally new to me. I’m creating a way for us to do this together as a fun community activity, so stay tuned!

✨ Inner Journeys: There has been a lot of reflection and letting go over the last month. It’s been, and continues to be, a process of reorienting myself in the world so I can find my most aligned path forward. This will continue through the Winters, and I’m very curious to see what new life springs from the ashes of all that’s been released.

Other Updates ✨

My good friend Thomas and I are about to launch our own podcast, Wandering Weirdly, next month! It’s all about exploration and how we creative misfits and joyful rebels find our own unique paths outside the norms and expectations of mainstream society.

Yesterday, I joined my good friend Apryl on The Accomplishment Project podcast! It was a delightful conversation about goals, accountability, and community. Once the episode drops, I’ll be sure to share it with you. In the meantime, check out the other conversations!

Thank you for being here with me to celebrate this new season! I hope the coming year brings all the joy, adventure, and connection your heart can handle. Sending you lots of love and wishing you the happiest of holidays! 💚

Until next time, adventure on, my friend!

Cheers,

Annie

P.S. If you’re allergic to SMART goals but still want to have direction and focus for the year ahead without feeling stifled and overly structured, check out the upcoming workshops!