For those that don't know, I write a monthly newsletter on Substack called The Yoga Letters.
Coming to the end of what has been the first year of writing it, I can honestly say that it's one of my most favourite projects ever, and I can really see (and feel) a sense of worth from it.
And it goes beyond monetary value.
For me, The Yoga Letters is about sharing the practices that I love - and that, usually, keep me sane - because I feel the world could really do with it.
As somebody very clever once said:
If the whole world practiced yoga, it would be a very different place.
Which leads me on to the challenges I've felt, deep in my bones, these last couple of months.
First-world problems such as relentless coughs and colds for my children, zero sleep for me, an only ever increasing to-do list and the feelings of inadequacy that often equates in me. Plus my own physical and mental challenges.
Oh, and did I forget to mention climate change and war; the world feeling like a hostile and ugly place to be and not one I'd wish for my children.
And the guilt - heavy - for things such as being warm and having a roof over my head.
All this means that my time for 'self-care' was nonexistent, and, boy, could I feel it.
Self-care shouldn't be a luxury.
And so I stood looking at the new year and wondering what to do with my 'one wild and precious life.'
An existential crisis of some sort, perhaps.
All of this has reminded me of how things used to be, for me, how messed up it was, barely functioning. Which is one thing: bad enough. But, personally, it runs the risk of me sliding down a horrible slope - one that I would have to work miracles to get back up.
So, ever the optimist, I realised something: just how important writing and yoga is to me, and just how many of my readers feel the same.
After the most recent issue, I received some beautiful messages, ones that I feel so fortunate and privileged to have received.
Being vulnerable in words can sometimes feel exposing. But, at the same time, the sense of true connection that comes along with it is too beautiful to articulate.
For that I am thankful.
I am happy to say that a little bit of mental space (whenever I could get it) has helped enormously and I've been dreaming and writing and shaping my offering for 2024.
Taking my privileges and doing what I can to make them meaningful.
The Yoga Letters is the result.
If you're not already a subscriber, then please click on the link above to do so.
The Yoga Letters is entirely complimentary and I'd really love for as many people as possible to be with me on the new journey of the year to come.
So, please, share it with others.
The more the merrier.
With kindness,
Louisa
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