The Journey Inward

Making room in the first half of January looked like…

1. Writing out my intentions for the year: what’s in and what’s out, listing 25 things I want to try in 2025, choosing my first of 12 activities in 12 months, and selecting my word of the year.
2. Preparing my guest room for my daughter’s boyfriend.
3. Converting my family room into a physical therapy/crochet studio for my daughter recovering from surgery.
4. Donating food from my pantry that we didn’t eat during the holidays.
5. Clearing out closets and organizing cupboards.
6. Putting away Christmas decorations and donating those items that aren’t sentimental or don’t bring me joy anymore.
7. Disassembling a camping tote I always have at the ready, putting the bag in basement storage and donating or repurposing the items within.
8. Putting a basket of warm hats, scarves and gloves in the back of my car.
9. Picking out a new refrigerator to replace my leaking one. Adding a washer and dryer to the order a week later!
10. Scheduling all my students for testing.
11. Finding joy in meeting with my students one on one.
12. Booking a trip to my friend’s new place in Colorado.
13. Applying lotion to my skin after my nightly shower.
14. Attending a friend’s 65th birthday at her barre class!
15. Accepting an invitation to go on a date.
16. Deciding that I’m not interested in dating right now.
17. Developing a new writing class.
18. Watching movies and shows by myself for myself.
19. Staying late at work once a week to get organized in the quiet.
20. Meeting with various special people each weekend for tea: a best friend, a former teammate, an old friend and a former supervisor.
21. Picking up dog poop in the yard.
22. Taking online classes.
23. Visiting Peddlers Village with the kids for our annual pictures.
24. Following the Australian Open on my app.
25. Being there for my friend at work who needed to vent and cry.
26. Containing my feelings of worry and concern over my job as my district looks to cut another $3 million and focusing on what I can control.
27. Accepting that my brain is working through my fears for my daughter by catastrophizing in my dreams and knowing that things look better in the light of day.
28. Walking on the treadmill during lunch while listening to an all female artist playlist.
29. Reading historical fiction about topics that give me more perspective, understanding, and empathy.
30. Showing myself grace when I think instead of allowing my body to feel.
31. Feeling compassion for my mother’s pain and instability as a child and how she tried to give us what she didn’t have.
32. Talking to families and dogs at drop off and pick up.
33. Meeting with my therapist.
34. Seeing a live band and dancing!
35. Having dinner with an old friend who is kind and genuine.
36. Writing with my Writefully Hers group.
37. Joining a committee at school to explore departmentalization as I consider going back to the classroom.
38. Enjoying my friend’s coffee cake.
39. Having my student read about therapy dogs to our school therapy dog.
40. Being present to witness and name student reading strengths by using an asset lens, while also coaching them into better habits.
41. Puzzling through reading behaviors with fellow reading specialists.
42. Reconciling that coaching is not criticizing, as this can be hard for me because of all the criticism I grew up with and I heap on myself.
43. Disappointing someone by canceling plans on a Friday night when I needed a night at home to rest and relax.
44. Savoring a decadent cup of hot chocolate made with milk and cream at a cold outdoor event. Determining to make my own hot chocolate that way more often!
45. Not stopping at half a sandwich during dinner out as I’d planned, but changing my mind and enjoying it all!
46. Putting up a boundary with a friend who can sometimes take advantage of me.
47. Listening to a podcast about the brain that gave me greater self awareness.
48. Taking a day trip to Longwood Gardens with a dear friend and being able to fill the nine hours with non stop conversation.
49. Writing poems about the beautiful sights and photos I took.
50. Getting curious about the people who owned the property I explored, who had power because of their skin color and money, and seeing their mix of entitlement and philanthropy.
51. Silencing my phone when I don’t want to be disturbed.
52. Editing the many pictures I take, making collages and sharing them with people who enjoy them.
53. Sharing my covers with my puppy when he’s chilly at night.
54. Attending a new exercise class that was outside my comfort zone.
55. Hitting snooze when I need it.
56. Hearing my daughter as she shared the surgeon’s update and her coach’s reaction to her missing this season.
57. Stopping for groceries after work and taking my time in the aisles.
58. Cheering my friend on for the boundaries she set with her ex.
59. Choosing Australia Open bracket winners each day with my daughter.
60. Getting excited about a new player I watched and following her progress.
61. Feeling anger and resentment and hugging myself.
62. Reflecting on how hard all my mom’s moves must have been on her growing up and wishing I’d asked for all the towns she lived in.
63. Being flexible with my daughter’s changing schedule that is out of her control and reconciling that my travel plans will have to be last minute.
64. Laughing with a student who asked, “How long have we been together? We really have a special bond!”
65. Tearing up when a student told me about buying a doll for his mom who never had one as a child.
66. Appreciating being a teacher students can trust and be vulnerable with.
67. Finding a PD on AI intriguing.
68. Having dinner with an old friend during restaurant week in New Hope.
69. Marathon chats with a friend that go into the wee hours.
70. Soaking up a tiny bit of sun on a cold and windy bus duty day.
71. Celebrating the 8 year anniversary of moving into my house.