How to take intentional steps toward a life of alignment and purpose.
Today, Saturday, January 4, 2025, I’m setting new goals and intentions. To truly understand my next chapter, I know I need to plan for it intentionally. One thing I’m certain of: this year is all about wellness.
I’ve realized I don’t need to wait for the “perfect” environment to begin—whether that’s my dream of a retreat on the lake, designing a private spa, or a home that feels like a sanctuary.
I’ve decided to spend this year testing concepts for my vision. I’m not going to just wait hoping it happens. I’ll use the time to test ideas, explore possibilities, and set a foundation for what I want to create.
In the vision for 2025, Calvin wrote that as I start actually using my Digital Handshake—a way of sharing my authentic self—it inspires others to begin their own journey. This simple act of starting, of connecting authentically, resonates deeply with me.
Structuring My Days for Creativity and Rest
Lately, I’ve been wondering if getting up earlier might give me more time to write and reflect (it’s my most helpful habit). That also means going to bed earlier—a habit I need to cultivate.
I want to create better nighttime routines to help me wind down and let go of my day. Right now, after 4 p.m., I crave coziness, a moment to curl up and relax with a glass of wine. But what would a healthier pattern look like?
Last night, I worked late, partly inspired by a friend who pushed through not feeling well to keep going. It got me thinking about balance—how to fuel greater inspiration without sacrificing rest.
A Global Journey for Wellness
I’ve also been dreaming about visiting spas and bathhouses around the world—Turkey, Japan, Europe… What draws me to these places? For thousands of years, bathhouses have been centers of community and connection, places where people came together to relax and unwind.
These ancient practices intrigue me. Bathing, meditation, fasting—these rituals prepared people for sacred moments, for celebrations of prosperity, and for the rewards of overcoming challenges.
The connection between relaxation and celebration feels essential. You can’t fully enjoy one without understanding the struggle that precedes it.
Rediscovering Ancient Wisdom
I find myself wandering to far-off lands and ancient times, imagining temples where entry required preparation and discipline.
These practices remind me of the simplicity—and complexity—of balance. Quieting the mind for real thinking and problem-solving is a discipline in itself. Quiet is necessary.
Hard work and goals are essential, but so is the ability to notice when life falls out of balance. That’s where I’ve found my Digital Handshake to be a powerful tool. It offers a visual reminder of how the different areas of my life interact—and when they’re misaligned, it’s obvious not just to me but to others. I’ve found this to be the greatest accountability.
Reassessing Commitments
Right now, my commitments—both personal and professional—feel overwhelming. The participation page on my own Digital Handshake is overflowing, a reflection of how I’ve said “yes” too often. As I walked a new DH member, Emma Lyons, through my own DH I realized It’s time for some soul-searching. I need to determine which commitments align with my life goals and which volunteer opportunities resonate with the person I aspire to be.
This year, my focus is clear: wellness, balance, and rediscovery. I’m ready to explore what these mean for me and how they’ll shape my journey.
Simplicity isn’t easy, but it’s worth pursuing. Let this year be one of intentional steps toward a life of alignment and purpose.
If you see that I am out of alinement with who I say I aspire to be, please let me know. It’s easy to miss our own blind spots.