“Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.”

A Personal Essay

The start of a brand new year is a time for dreaming, planning, resolving. I want to write about all the new projects I plan to give birth to in 2025. But my elderly mother has fallen and broken her hip and I’ve spent the Christmas holidays in hospital. It’s not been pretty. I am grieving the beginning of the end.

So let me start where I am. In this place of grief, loss, and preparing to let go. Maybe I’m not alone here. Perhaps you are also grieving someone or something that is passing from your life. Let us honour what is true and grieve the passing of what we would hold onto forever if we could.

My mother is strong of spirit and comes from good Norwegian stock. She may still be here this time next year for all I know. Let me find it in myself to hold her close, but loosely. And give us both grace in this difficult time of transition. Let that be my first resolution for 2025.

Having honoured my grief in what is passing, I am better able to turn my attention to what is coming. I couldn’t be more excited about that.

In 2025 I am resolved to fully embrace my identity as a writer. I’ll be returning to blogging on a regular basis and have a couple of long form writing projects in the early stages. If you haven’t signed up for my mailing list, head over to lifescapers.com and do that so you don’t miss anything.

I’m excited to be leading the Scotland Expedition once again. The dates are May 10-17, 2025 and there is still one spot available so reach out if you’d like more information. I’ll soon be announcing the details of a Fall retreat closer to home, so stay tuned for that as well.

Writing, retreats and expeditions will form the foundation of my work this year. Beyond this I plan to experiment with various media, merchandise and coaching formats. I’m equal parts curious and nervous about those experiments. Isn’t that always the way in the beginning?

If there is something you’d particularly like to see me offer in 2025 please reach out and let me know.

My New Year’s Wishes (And Challenges) for You

If you are grieving losses as the old year passes, I wish you grace.

If you are holding on to old dreams, projects, expectations, relationships whose time has past, give yourself the gift of grieving and letting go.

If you are pulled to revisit and recommit to old dreams or resolutions and see them through this time, may you find the resolve to go back and finish what you started.

If you are harbouring new dreams or wishes that cause your heart to beat a little faster, I encourage you to make friends with those butterflies and take some action.

If you have already made brave plans and resolutions for the coming year, I encourage you to put in place the structures and support that will ensure your success. Start with getting specific about those goals and the steps that will lead you toward them. Put those specifics down on paper and in your calendar. Share your plans with a trusted friend, hire a coach or join a community with similar goals to support you and help you stay on course.

You and your goals are worth the investment. Believe it.

Intentions

I will give myself grace as I grieve the anticipated loss of my mother.

I will be be brave, letting go of those things whose time is passing and embracing those things whose time has come.

I will honour my dreams and wishes for the New Year by taking action.

I will honour my dreams and wishes for the New Year by setting up structures to support them.  

I will pursue my dreams and wishes with curiosity and a spirit of experimentation, giving them room to breathe and become.

I will remind myself that my goals are worth the investment. And feed my faith.

A Blessing

This New Year I wish you grace, courage, resolve, action, and support. As you let go of those things whose time is passing and give birth to those things whose time has come.