Thank you for sharing these questions Beth, I will be reflecting on each one over the next couple of weeks however these 2 have stood out as I've read through the list; 9. How will you steady yourself in times of inevitable uncertainty? I feel that over the past 2-3 years I've been unconsciously trying to do this and now starting to see that this is essential for me to do daily to keep going and I'm really curious what the difference could be with a more mindful approach to this practice, I have some 'hows' in place and want to explore this more with intention and reflection.
10. What are you hopeful about? That after living across the other side of the world for 15 years, coming back and settling in UK is the right choice for our family.
My intention for this year is to let Consistency be my watchword. Consistency in keeping my body healthy and strong. Consistency in deepening my writing practice. Consistency in nurturing my heart and soul. That's all. If I can build consistency, I will be mostly happy, mostly healthy, and mostly content.
I caught myself scrolling the other day — something I almost never do. I don’t own a TV or a microwave. I listen to the share market report on CommSec each day. I haven’t watched the news in over a decade.But living in the marketing world means I’m surrounded by noise at work - that constant hum. Usually Im imune to it - I just see the art of placement etc - but Im finding I really don’t want to see even that anymore. I’m not sure what the answer is yet — but I know something needs to change before I go bat-shit-crazy in distraction.
Beth, thank you for these thoughtful, reflective questions. So much richer than a list of resolutions. I’ll be very interested in any comments on living well, as that is the title of my Substack: Couple Love and Living Well.😄I hope this new year brings many treasures to you and your family
This is such a lovely way to begin the year, Beth! My intention is to remain positive and keep my complaining to the pages of my journal and the ears of my BFF. If I say YES to anything that might help a loved one…or, for that matter, a stranger…it will create a positive ripple effect. Happy 2026 to all here!
But what about the rude people? What if we cancel them, walk away?
What will they do?
Go home alone, sad, carrying a bitterness so heavy it flows out into the world as a toxic river of defensiveness. What manifests in the world as toxicity, rudeness is their own profound pain.
What if we were kind even when it’s very difficult?
I’m answering your question 2: I would like to make time daily for loving-kindness meditations. They helped me through the pandemic and I miss the warmth and hope they gave me.
I have been thinking about doing this more. I feel the world is very shaky atm and the things (and leaders) that are causing all that fear and anxiety isn't something I can do anything about. Then I thought maybe sending out loving kindness mediations would be something I can do.
how wonderful it would be if many of us were to do that every day?
Could it change the energy in the world?
I am going to start from today to do it, maybe if I know you are doing it too then that's 2 of us, maybe more can follow.
I haven't always been as focussed on my writing, or anything else, in the past year - I underestimated the impact an ADHD diagnosis would have, but I have finally begun to come out of the creative slump and your lovely Winter Writing Sanctuary is helping a lot. I've learned so much from you - I hope the new house and the new book turn out well and wish you the happiest New Year ever.
I used to think I had to explain myself. Then I realised, people can only see things from their perspective, and I could talk myself hoarse and they’d still not hear me.
But if we were all the same, the world would be a boring place.
With your welcoming smile, kind nature, and soft spoken voice, not mentioning your generosity, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever being rude to you; but I guess we don’t know their story as to why they live in the world the way they do, and we don’t need to. Because we know our story, and our loved ones are the only ones that truly matter.
Just keep being you, because the world, I think, is a better place for it.
So yes, keep on shining to the ones who truly see and appreciate you.
Thank you for sharing these questions Beth, I will be reflecting on each one over the next couple of weeks however these 2 have stood out as I've read through the list; 9. How will you steady yourself in times of inevitable uncertainty? I feel that over the past 2-3 years I've been unconsciously trying to do this and now starting to see that this is essential for me to do daily to keep going and I'm really curious what the difference could be with a more mindful approach to this practice, I have some 'hows' in place and want to explore this more with intention and reflection.
10. What are you hopeful about? That after living across the other side of the world for 15 years, coming back and settling in UK is the right choice for our family.
Big questions!
My intention for this year is to let Consistency be my watchword. Consistency in keeping my body healthy and strong. Consistency in deepening my writing practice. Consistency in nurturing my heart and soul. That's all. If I can build consistency, I will be mostly happy, mostly healthy, and mostly content.
7. I don’t want too much noise.
I caught myself scrolling the other day — something I almost never do. I don’t own a TV or a microwave. I listen to the share market report on CommSec each day. I haven’t watched the news in over a decade.But living in the marketing world means I’m surrounded by noise at work - that constant hum. Usually Im imune to it - I just see the art of placement etc - but Im finding I really don’t want to see even that anymore. I’m not sure what the answer is yet — but I know something needs to change before I go bat-shit-crazy in distraction.
What a gentle, luminous start to the year. Thank you for sharing it
Beth, thank you for these thoughtful, reflective questions. So much richer than a list of resolutions. I’ll be very interested in any comments on living well, as that is the title of my Substack: Couple Love and Living Well.😄I hope this new year brings many treasures to you and your family
My intention: I will fill my life with art and rid it of online negativity. ❤️
Happy new year. Beautiful prompts - i haven't done them yet, but maybe tomorrow!
This is such a lovely way to begin the year, Beth! My intention is to remain positive and keep my complaining to the pages of my journal and the ears of my BFF. If I say YES to anything that might help a loved one…or, for that matter, a stranger…it will create a positive ripple effect. Happy 2026 to all here!
But what about the rude people? What if we cancel them, walk away?
What will they do?
Go home alone, sad, carrying a bitterness so heavy it flows out into the world as a toxic river of defensiveness. What manifests in the world as toxicity, rudeness is their own profound pain.
What if we were kind even when it’s very difficult?
‘Positivity and Kindness’. Yes 🙌
Happy New Year.
PS … THREE cups of tea 😮
I know, right. When I reqd that, I thought "I'm glad I'm not the only one who consumes copious cups whilst journalling!" 😂
My old body can’t take that much caffeine these days 😝
I’m answering your question 2: I would like to make time daily for loving-kindness meditations. They helped me through the pandemic and I miss the warmth and hope they gave me.
I have been thinking about doing this more. I feel the world is very shaky atm and the things (and leaders) that are causing all that fear and anxiety isn't something I can do anything about. Then I thought maybe sending out loving kindness mediations would be something I can do.
how wonderful it would be if many of us were to do that every day?
Could it change the energy in the world?
I am going to start from today to do it, maybe if I know you are doing it too then that's 2 of us, maybe more can follow.
There are already many more of us. And I do believe it helps. We are all connected in some way.
Happy New year
I haven't always been as focussed on my writing, or anything else, in the past year - I underestimated the impact an ADHD diagnosis would have, but I have finally begun to come out of the creative slump and your lovely Winter Writing Sanctuary is helping a lot. I've learned so much from you - I hope the new house and the new book turn out well and wish you the happiest New Year ever.
I used to think I had to explain myself. Then I realised, people can only see things from their perspective, and I could talk myself hoarse and they’d still not hear me.
But if we were all the same, the world would be a boring place.
With your welcoming smile, kind nature, and soft spoken voice, not mentioning your generosity, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever being rude to you; but I guess we don’t know their story as to why they live in the world the way they do, and we don’t need to. Because we know our story, and our loved ones are the only ones that truly matter.
Just keep being you, because the world, I think, is a better place for it.
So yes, keep on shining to the ones who truly see and appreciate you.
☺️✨💙
I will definitely be listening to you read the questions, your voice is a balm and a mediation. I look forward to seeing what spills out.
Wishing you a positive and kind 2026 🖤