Celebrate the Solstice and My Birthday!
Today is a special day… the Solstice! ☀️☀️ It’s the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (or the shortest if you’re down south).
Annnnndddddd guess what? It’s also my birthday 🎈… so today is kinda a monumental day in my year 🤣
Maybe it's because I'm a solstice baby, but I love using this day to pause, reflect, and set some intentions. I do the same at the winter solstice or the start of the new year; these seasonal shifts are like nature’s nudge to check in with ourselves.
At halfway through the year, it’s a perfect time to step back and see the bigger picture. Are you living your best life (or as close to it as is feasible) in terms of your creative expression, health, career, relationships, community, and desired impact?
Think back to any goals or intentions you set around the December solstice, the end of 2023, or even just a few months ago when spring sprung. 🌱
How’s everything shaping up for you? What's been the highlight of your year so far? Any surprises along the way?
This morning I reviewed my intentions from December 20th. Some are right on track, others need a refresh, and a few are still important and need more attention. It’s been eye-opening to see what was present for me 6 months ago that is still calling for my attention now. (And, understanding why that area of my life isn't getting my attention is another thing all together). 🤪
SMART goal setting is a popular and effective way to track specific progress; while I appreciate the clarity of SMART goals, and support my clients' progress using them in many ways, there's immense value in setting broader energetic intentions first.
Think of it like this: Imagine dumping a 1,000 puzzle pieces on a table. Setting intentions is like building the border first; it gives you a framework and clarity about what's going to fit in the middle. SMART goals are the pieces within that help you complete the picture.
If setting intentions is new for you, here are a few tips and self-reflection questions to get started:
Energy Focus: Think about what kind of energy you want to bring forward in the second half of the year. More peace and calm? More excitement? More meaningful connections?
Where You Shine: Where in your life do you already feel that quality? What is it about that area of your life that makes that quality (or energy) so easy to experience?
Opportunity for Growth: Which areas of your life need more of this energy?
Action Plan: How can you bring that desired energy into the area lacking it? For example, if you want more calm but your mornings are chaotic, take a few minutes each morning to breathe deeply and enjoy nature’s calm... embody THAT. And then… think about some practical ways to make the morning run a little smoother - for example, what can you do at night so you have more space in the morning?
I’d love to hear how you realign and refocus and if you need help, I'm here for you!
And for my birthday, the best gift you could give me is actually honoring yourself! Here’s to an amazing second half to the year!
With love,
Abbey