New Year Check In <3

Hi Everyone!

This is a completely spontaneous check-in and I need your input!

But, first — I hope everyone is well! As well as one can be, anyway. I acknowledge that life generally seems to feel fairly difficult for everyone right now. Whether directly or indirectly, we’re experiencing and witnessing some pretty dark stuff. More than any generation to come before us. What a time to be alive, hey? It reminds me to be extra gentle with myself and to put my damn phone down.

Did y’all have a good New Year? I’m not shy in admitting that I don’t like celebrating New Years Eve. I’m not one for crowds, and shockingly I’m not really one for alcohol these days (besides the occasional glass of wine.) This year, my boyfriend went out and I didn’t — a decision we were both okay with. He called me at midnight, we had a sweet and silly conversation, I told him I was smooching the cat (I was), and I was asleep by 12:03am. My kinda NYE.

It’s also not the technical New Year, at least not in the way our ancestors celebrated. Who the heck calls for radical change in the middle of winter? Another sign of the ways that humanity has slowly disconnected from nature… Many ancient cultures saw the New Year as the Spring Equinox. A time when warmth returned, seeds were sewn, and life began to erupt from the soil. All of that to say, if you feel pressure to do ALL of the things right now, be gentle with yourself. On the contrary, it is Capricorn season, which is all about hard, intentional work. So while I don’t love the hustle and bustle of the modern New Year, I must say I’ve been feeling inspired to clear out and get ahead of a few projects I’m working on.

All of my packages finally arrived to Texas from the UK and I’ve been opening up boxes and boxes of clothing that I haven’t laid eyes on in over 3 years. A very strange experience, but also, it’s felt a bit like Christmas! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have seen my clothing sale that I did last week (another one coming soon!)

And here is where I need your input… The clothing sale was the first time I’ve ever really shared face-to-camera. I had such a positive response and it got me thinking about how much I enjoyed it and how much easier (and quicker) it is than writing for me. It turns out that Substack now has video capabilities and I’m wondering if I turn this into a little video channel, with some written bits to support. For instance, I’ve done so much research on natural skincare, and I thought I’d start sharing all of the natural/organic shifts I’ve made in my own life. Feels a bit influencer-y, but I’m fine with that. This will be for paid subscribers only.

And on that note — My podcast is finally launching very very soon! So you’ll also have me in your ears in no time. The themes of the podcast are grief, dark nights of the soul, God, and so much more…

Let me know your thoughts and any topics you’d be interested in hearing more about from me!

Wishing you all a grounded and peaceful January.

With Love,
Kelly

*A completely unrelated, but cute film photo - taken by my 5 year old nephew - of John and I over the Summer. (I’m a visual person, so like to include images somewhere with my writing!)