In this week’s edition of Tranquility du Jour, I share my Year in Review. Hear my top 10 highlights, what went well, what didn't go so well, dreams for 2024, and more PLUS a variety of resources for you!
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Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. —Søren KierkegaardHello dear reader. I hope you're finding a gentle landing spot in this new year.
Longtime blog readers may recall my “weeks in review” turned “months in review” turned "season in review" over the years. Now there's an annual Year in Review.
This reflection exercise allows me to stay accountable, set and review goals, celebrate, and note what needs adjustment.
Below is a list of my year’s experiences in no particular order. There's also a brief reflection and resources to support us moving into the new year.
To compile this information I reviewed my planner, monthly dreams, birthday exercise (here's mine from 2021), goodreads app, ballet class platforms, and photos. Needless to say, it's a process!
Consider your own 2023 list. Look for patterns, wins, challenges, boundaries, and those sweet moments in between. Although this year may have been challenging, you may just rediscover some gems when you compile your own Year in Review.
Oh, and here's an Instagram reel with heaps of photos from 2023.
Year's Experiences Top 10Hosted 30+ Coterie events including an in-person tea party Won 1st place for Les Sylphides in the International Adult Ballet Festival's Beginner Classical Category (more photos and Instagram reel) Turned 50! Celebrated Gizmo's 16th birthday with a DC staycationFeatured as Ms. December in a ballet calendar Made simplification shifts (clothing line example) Traveled to Paris twice (here's one trip and another)Released the TDJ balletcore collection Created Tranquility Salon monthly membership Revealed my new book's cover (now I need to write it!)
More Experiences in Random OrderHad another hip surgery Collaborated with amazing clients Booked flights for postponed retreat in Borneo with Borneo Orangutan Survival Went to Paris with Mama Wilson Took 300+ ballet classes Released the Tranquility Within: Mental Health Course Performed in two group pieces at the International Adult Ballet Festival (one en pointe) Released new Tea with Kimberly videos Traveled to NYC for three private sessions with my teachers Enjoyed 10 live jazz shows (four in NYC, one in Paris, five in DC) Spent a weekend in NYC with my friend Jenn Hosted my final pet loss support session and virtual retreats Hours of physical therapy Took a 16-week pointe class with Broche BalletDanced through 50+ private virtual lessons Joined Kathryn Morgan and friends in NYC and Philly for ballet weekends Made dozens of Pigs & Pugs Project micro-grants Hosted one TDJ Style Pop-Up, the 600th Podcast Soiree, four virtual retreats, Pink Friday, and Fall Inspiration Sent 250(ish) snail mail love notes Released 26 podcast episodes Sent 30 newsletter Love Notes Received my first AARP snail mail, oh my! Attended many therapy-related trainings Enjoyed dozens of tea dates with friends Celebrated 19 years with my partner Tim Planned and launched Coterie 2024 (doors close 1/13)Read only 18 of 40 books in Goodreads Reading Challenge (bought dozens more!) Updated Living Tranquility: TDJ Tenets digital course Worked with a beloved support team Traveled between DC and WV dozens of times Celebrated my dad's 80th in Oklahoma Dabbled in more Instagram reels Saw two Harry Styles shows in Paris Donated 10K to charity—Pigs & Pugs Project, Borneo Orangutan Survival, 1% for the Planet
ReflectionWhat Worked Well for Me in 2023? Hosting the Coterie, trimming my offerings, full psychotherapy practice, a bit of travel, virtual private ballet sessions and group classes, second hip surgery, creating digital courses and the Salon, ate more salads (in wraps), hired amazing support, finalized a new book cover.
What Didn't Work for Me in 2023? Lack of mobility for a month after hip surgery, my therapist of nine years retired and booked a one-way ticket to Italy, I lost my signature ring (Tim found it five months later), reading was hard for some reason, challenges managing physical pain, not completing online courses, didn't create as much content as I'd hoped, didn't complete new book draft, exhausted often, excessive vet visits and senior pet needs, brain fog.
What Did I Learn About Myself Last Year? I need more rest and simplicity in my life.
How Did My Goals for 2023 Unfold? I achieved more than 3/4 of my Year’s Dreams list. Released 25 podcasts, created digital courses, had a meaningful 50th birthday, had the band around my femur removed, nurtured the Coterie, streamlined my website (thanks Mara!), gave a proud performance of Les Sylphides, and took trips to Paris. A few that I didn’t meet and are still on my radar: read 40 books, solid pirouettes at the barre and in the center, daily greens.
My 2024 Year’s Dreams: complete and release Advanced Tranquility book, healthy pugs, send monthly love notes (sign up here), new website, increase color on my plate and eat more veggies/whole foods, learn and perform a made-for-me ballet solo to La Vie en Roseat the International Adult Ballet Festival, get back en pointe consistently, nurture my Coterieloves and clients, incorporate more play and relaxation time, create an "Embrace Your Inner Parisienne" micro-course, finish a few e-courses I’ve signed up for, donate to support orangutans, pigs, and pugs, create AM writing time, create content for you (starting a Substack soon!).
Wrap-Up: Overall 2023 was an okay year. Ballet continued to be a dominate presence along with my therapy practice, the Coterie, and pug caregiving. I see this continuing into the new year and hope to make more space to write, cuddle pugs, and read fireside (or by twinkle light).
My word/theme for 2024 is attention. What about you? May 2024 be filled with time and space for what matters most to you! Bisous. x
Resources40 New Year’s Resolutions Ideas How to Create Your Personal Year End Review 22 Ways to Ensure 2022 is the Year You Supercharge Your Career How to Make 2022 Your Best Financial Year Yet 22 of our Favorite Healthy Ways to Welcome 2022 5 Tips to Meet Your New Year’s Resolutions My 2019 Year in Review My 2020 Year in Review My 2021 Year in Review My 2022 Year in Review Are New Year’s Resolutions Powerful or Pointless? 5 Science-Backed Strategies for Nailing Your New Year’s Resolutions Pick Your Nudge Word 7 Daily Habits That'll Improve Your Mental HealthTea with Kimberly Video on 6 Tips for the New Year Ezra Klein Podcast on Attention