A big NO to setting goals in January // On Consistency // Events this week
Hello my loves,
I started this year with trepidation.
Perhaps it was because I hadn't had my usual get-away to Devon to punctuate the end of the year (thanks to our mate Tier 4), or maybe it was because we're in still in the middle of a pandemic (did you forget? Because I often forget!)
In any case, there was a feeling that I did not want to set any goals or come up with any big dreams for 2021 just yet. Setting goals in January, in the middle of wintry hibernation, feels like shaking someone awake at 3am and asking what they want for breakfast - disorientating and a little bit aggressive.
Needless to say, the combination of winter + lockdown is allowing ample time for reflection and processing. I'm certainly re-evaluating many parts of my life and asking if they still make sense. I realised recently that I haven't performed live comedy for almost a year, and have only had two in-person Power of Uke workshops since March. How long will everything be on pause for? I'm oscillating between waiting it out, and seeing it as a nudge (or shove?) to redirect my life.
And despite nothing being open, it paradoxically feels like anything is possible - be that changes to how we work, or where we live (apart from mainland Europe - mahhhhh) - it's all up for grabs. Which of course is overwhelming too. A very strange time to be alive.
Read on for events, reflections and playlist joy :)
Sarah x
Ps. For those of you who are new here, Carousel is a model that supports you to work intuitively with your many projects and interests, and this newsletter consists of musings + music to support you to live in this way. You can read up more here.
Our Day of Musical Joy in the woods before Christmas in between Lockdowns..
My online offerings THIS WEEK
Full Moon Ceremony - Thursday 28th Jan 8pm GMT
A guided 90 minute ritual, inspired by the Full Moon in Leo. Come along to pause, reflect and shake off anything that is not serving you, all to beautiful music.
WTF is going on? - Lunch and Learn - Friday 29th Jan 1-2pm GMT
I'll take you through my Quitting Quadrant® framework, which supports you to check-in with all your projects and work out where to regain balance, and where to quit. A perfect complement to Carousel! Tickets from £5
On Consistent Habits (and my introduction to Eastern Astrology)
This January, as I couldn't think of any huge goals, I decided to focus on every day consistency. My plan was to choose a few activities and commit to doing them both regularly and, crucially, with VERY LOW EXPECTATIONS. This is NOT how I usually work. I'm very much a - ''set an insanely big goal - must be achieved now - all or nothing crash + despair'' - kinda girl.
One of my intentions has been to do some movement every day - this can be as short as a 10 minute YouTube video or a dance around my living room to 1 track, but I'll do something. It's achievable, so bar one day, I've kept it up. I've also been learning one piece of music on the violin, doing a couple of bars each time I play. and just enjoying the musical break rather than needing to perform it anywhere.
In these times it feels very nourishing to just focus on the input we can make today, rather than where it's all ending up. Do you have daily habits that help you in these times, that aren't working towards anything in particular?
One of the prompts for this new approach was a reading with Lauraine McDonald of my Eastern Astrology Birth Chart. I learned I have two animals in my chart - the Tiger and the Monkey - that are in conflict with each other. According to my chart the Monkey energy regularly drives things on before the Tiger has been consulted. She asked if I ever projects that start with gusto and then suddenly run out of steam? I thought about Carousel and wondered if that had been created to support my Tiger/Monkey energy. So the consistency is aiding the slow ripening of my projects...
I found the whole thing fascinating, and whether you believe in it or not, it's a really cool experience to learn about the balance of different elements and animals in your chart and how they can support you.
If you're interested in finding out more about 1:1 sessions or group courses Lauraine runs please contact her here. Mention the code 4PBC to get 10% off.
To listen to...
I DJed for my friend's Zoom birthday the other day and created this playlist of the bangers. One for those 1 minute dance parties...
For anyone who struggles with the Autumn (pre-menstrual) of their cycle here's a playlist which combines angry rage with weepy ballads.
Community offerings
Gentle New Beginnings Ritual - Tuesday 2nd February 7-9pm
Natasha (@toucantoo) enjoyed leading the Winter Solstice and Christmas Star ritual (co-hosted by me) so much, she’s bringing another one to the front of her (wheel of life) Carousel. Join to celebrate new beginnings: the first brave shoots, growing light around the Imbolc festival and the opening of her new Treehouse Community.
Winter Wisdom Mini-Retreat - Saturday 30th January 14:30-16:30pm (UK time)
Vix (@vixzen_warrior) is running a 2-hour mini-retreat is designed to be a balm for your soul for those feeling frazzled by January. Morning Gloryville - Saturday 30th June
Iona (@ionapics) is hosting the sober rave this month with her Tropicana Fantasea cruise ship, the most fabulous and safe virtual cruise to sail away to far away lands! Tickets here.
Tuneless Choir
Tabitha's hosting an hour of ‘singing like no one is listening’ on Wednesday evenings to raise vibration through connecting and crooning!
Improv with Katy Schutte
Three offers from Katy this month: one spot left on Play Like Brené starting in March; 1:1 support with Write Your Solo Show and online corporate improv workshops.
Get a boost
Zaira's just launched her new website, which comes with a FREE SuperHeartPower Artwork and Guided Activator to boost your biological and spiritual nervous system, and create an optimal state for you to focus, learn, engage, create and interact with your world.
Have something you'd like to be included in the next Carousel? Reply to this email and if it feels like a good fit, I'll put it in :)
3 Day Digital (and Connection) Detox
At the start of January I took 3 days off technology to give myself a Creative Retreat. Day 1 was euphoric, Day 2 was tricky and by Day 3 I was really crying out for human connection. I thought I was doing the retreat to help my phone addiction, but it actually gave me a new found appreciation for my phone as a way to have daily boosts of connections during lockdown... So, guilt-free tech for me :)
What's on my Carousel?
Making my personal website - my CoMOONity - coaching - learning the violin - looking into the space to work out what the next chapter may look like...
Want to understand your Carousel better? Book in a 1:1 Pay What You Want Coaching Call at https://sarahweilercoaching.as.me/carousel.