Everything is temporary, evolving as you read and as I type.
Trust that what's good is equipping you for whatever is next.
What's not so good is equipping you for whatever is next.
You are more expansive than your reality.
More capable than you know.
More resilient than you have experienced.
More generative than may seem possible.
You are more expansive than your reality.
You've got this, even if it feels like you don't. You do. You really do.
And, if you need to lay down and cry, do it.
If you need to stand up and scream, do it.
If you need to ask for help, do it.
If you're able to offer help, do it.
You are more expansive than your reality.
Questions you could ask yourself on the heels of a new year:
What were my biggest lessons this year?
Given what I know now, what would I do differently?
What am I proud of myself for?
How have my priorities changed?
What (who) am I ready to move on from?
What am I over and done with?
Who am I becoming?
What do I want to create, even if I don't know how?
As I grow older, what conditions do I need to feel safe? To feel inspired? To feel alive?
What do I want 2026 to be about?
What I really want is...
From an email I received last week: What's the one decision I'm not making, right now?Imagining your life is a movie or a game show, and there's an audience watching. What would they be shouting at the screen? What would be so obvious to them that is not obvious to you?
Reader, the most enduring lesson from my 10-day Vipassana sit a couple years ago is that suffering comes in two forms: clinging and resisting.
I've never been more resolved about what I need in my life. Never have I been so ready for a year to end.
Talking to a friend yesterday, she reflected on how the first couple months of 2025 felt like a year. I was nodding and mmmhmming, then said, "And BOOM all of a sudden it's December."
I want to think that god, the universe, my mom helped move this year along as quickly as possible. When it started, it was slow and painful. Then the powers that be made a compassionate intervention to speed things along. Unfortunately they can't make people doing bad things stop.
Now here we are, hours before we change our calendars. I'll take a photo of mine, then wipe it clean and start again.
I'll sit in front of my altar with all its wisdom and offerings from the past 12 months, then I'll close my eyes and start again.
Fresh starts, sure. But what's not new is the work. The work to get to the next place. The next idea. The next paycheck. The next experience. The next connection. The next ....
There's a familiar effort that comes with being alive. And it's never-ending. Being alive takes effort. Some days more than others, but everyday.
That familiar feeling of doing the thing, the practice, the ritual, putting one foot in front the other — this is living.
In all its mundanity, this is what I'm here for. This is what I'm grateful for. Perhaps more than any other time in my life. Thank you for being a part of it.
Whether we're in direct relationship with each other or you're here as a reader, I'm grateful for you. Thank you for being part of my journey.
What I'm looking forward to
Next week I'm hosting a group of beautiful humans at The Emerging Artist Retreat here in New Mexico.
Two of my guests are coming from out of state, the others from around the state. Relationships will be created. Joy will be shared. Contemplations will be made. Art will be fertilized. I'm so excited, but in a grounded and peaceful way. 😌
Gorgeous food will be prepared by my friend Caro of Sunroom Cooking. Accommodations made lovely by my long-time collaborators, Nancy, Amy, Jon and Monica at Sarabande Bed & Breakfast.
This morning my aunt texted, "Nexton the agenda, your retreat! It is going to go great! 😊 It’s the perfect way to start the new year. It’s something that you are good at, that you know, that you built. BUT with a new layer of love, art and love of art."
If you're interested in attending my 2027 retreat, click here and I'll be sure to let you know first.
In 2026, if you want to work together...
My most popular coaching service is great for busy people and those on a budget. And right now, it's a really good deal. Take a look.
If you we've worked together before, I have a loyalty link. Text or email me and I'll send it.
Wishing you a final few hours of 2025 filled with whatever you need to move into tomorrow with a newlayer of love.
With love, Annie
I'm also looking forward to more painting! This was my first oil lesson two weeks ago with a friend/classmate from last semester. Eventually those will become carrots and I'll share how they turn out. 🥕
To all the things...💕✨😌🌱🙏🏽
A gesture of love
A friend sent me a generous tip out of the blue last month because she said she gets a lot out of the work we do together and suggested I invite others to consider doing the same. 😌