What. A. Year. 

Reflections on what we’ve been through.

One year ago I launched this yoga program, I called it Navigating November - starting on Election Day, 2020. 

Do you remember election day 2020? It feels like a lifetime ago.

In this past year there have been some bigs wins and some devastating losses. We can all relate to this in our own ways, so I don’t intend to recount either. Rather, I hope to acknowledge your wins and losses, they are both relevant and seen. 

Some of you have been practicing with me each month for the last year, others have popped in here and there. You have been a valuable piece of my community and my own healing as I navigated the changes in my life. 

I owe each of you a resounding THANK YOU for your presence and support in these last 12 months.

Here’s a snippet of what I’ve learned, hopefully some of this resonates with you.

Change: 

Long before the pandemic we all knew life moved fast and that the ‘only constant was change’. One of the things I loved most about The Studio was the job was always changing based on our plans for that year. I love variety and challenge of learning something new. 

But, we were not prepared for this change. This change is wholistic and rapid succession. It's turn everything up-side-down change. As I reflect, I realize in the past we expected change, we could sense it coming on. 2020 and 2021 gave us no warning, no roadmap, no recollection of what was to come. And yet, here we are doing more or less of what we’ve always done: adapting and evolving.

In no way am I minimizing the changes that have occurred - especially the tragic ones. But I do want to highlight the nature of human resilience. We are strong and capable no matter what. And now I know. I know we can face the unthinkable and it will be ‘OK.’ Our generations are now prepared for change in a way we couldn't imagine two short years ago. 

Stay: 

I love to travel, see new things, visit friends, and connect to familiar places. In 2018 & 2019 I traveled internationally 3 times and domestically 5 times, averaging 4 trips per year. In 2020 and 2021 I took a total 3 vacations, all by car, all within a 6 hour drive. That might be more than you, it might be less.

This is significant to me for conflicting reasons: I miss it. I love it. The missing it is easy, I love eating new food, seeing different people and spending time away from home. 

It’s the loving it part that is confusing. I don’t LOVE not traveling, rather I love being at home and having a routine that is easy and comfortable. I love not being free of the debt of big airplane tickets (and other costs). I love my summer and holiday season not congested with preparing for or recovering from a trip. 

Will I love it forever? Probably not. I want to hop on a plane and visit my friends and family in their beautiful places. I want to get warm in the middle of a cold winter! But I plan to be thoughtful and particular about traveling in the future. And being mindful about the passive work that sneaks up on us as we ease out of pandemic life. 

Connect: 

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned over these past two years is how important it is to forge connections with loved ones. When we are busy it is easy to loose touch. Life events like a new job or a new family member can change the course of your communication and social habits. 

Right before the pandemic started my son turned one. At the time I was ready to make plans with friends and we were looking for a babysitter for the first time. Welllll, we still haven’t gotten a baby sitter (do you know one?!). As most of you can relate, those first few months felt like the first year of being parents all over again, isolating.

As the pandemic wore on, it was essential to fortify both in person and phone connections. I called friends a lot. We 'face-timed' and 'marco-poloed.' It was helpful that we were all in a similar situation - at home at the same time for once. I’m extra grateful for those friends that ensured that we get together outside, around fires and at parks. It was these moments, even when we sat 6 feet apart that deepened our connection. Smiles, laughter and also shared sorrow and frustration. These are the parts of friendship that balance our energy and soothes the soul. 

The lessons keep coming. We are in a time of change and learning, and we may never quite get ahead of the change. It is important to give ourselves grace and time to transition. 

Thank you for being here. I hope you feel supported and safe. Please know that you can always reach out here or via text.