Gently Gathering 2023

Soaking in the year that's been

Hi I’m Debbie, a spiritual director and mother based in Glasgow. I offer stories, ponderings and gentle invitations to share a moment with your soul.

---

Hello in this in-between time,

I find the invitation of the turn of the year irresistible. I love the chance to look back, to pause and notice where I am and where I've been before looking forward. This year I’ve noticed that I’m feeling saturated with other people’s words and ideas, I deeply want to coorie in and listen to the sacred whispers I find within myself. I hear the encouragement to rest and be gentle yet I’m still pushing productivity for myself.

I’m tempted to approach reflecting on the year Like It is My Work, studying my journal and skimming through photos. I realise heavy lists, smart goals, aims and workbooks are not what I need this year.

Instead I’m wondering how I can soak in 2023 like a delicious bath. With no end goal except to rest and to notice what comes up. Looking back reminds us of the joys and the sorrows, sometimes the quiet of the tub can be a space to cry and release. I want to choose to lean in to the practices that feel like restful reflection.

Having said all that, the other thing I apparently can’t resist is sharing suggestions. If you’ve no space in your brain, just skip below. But if you’d like to hear the gentle ways I’ll be soaking in this year, onwards…

My 2023

Each year my family make Spotify Playlists for my mum. This may or may not have started with the spark of sibling rivalry (what do you think Ben?) So here are some of the songs that I’ve gradually gathered during 2023.

I always love to see my annual Goodreads page, I’ve read 35 books this year and I’m hoping to squeeze in one or two more before Hogmanay.

I adore Jen from Cobbleworks’s annual Reflection Journal filled with her quirky, gorgeous art. She approaches the Prayer of Examen as a conversation between Love and Hope. Her prompts accompany me as I slowly consider the medley of this past year month by month. I'll flick through my own Journalling from 2023 and see what stands out We also use this to shape our conversation as we eat cheese on Hogmanay. The Reflection Journal was sent out with her recent newsletter, but if you send her a message on Instagram you can get a copy.

This year I also made a list of Noble Friendships inspired by Courtney Martin’s post below. She encourages us to reflect on and relish our interconnectedness and the inspiration and influence of others on our life and work.

“Of course all good thinking and creating, like caring, takes a proverbial village. Who do you have conversations with that always light you up? Whose writing makes your heart skip a beat? Whose art makes your mind spin out in a million wonderful directions?”

Reflecting on noble friendships at year-end

Beth Kempton is offering a Winter Writing Sanctuary at no cost, running from December 28-Jan 6. Now, I signed up for this before I acknowledged my push to productivity. But I also know that allowing myself some time each day to tune inwards and play with words is nourishing amongst the beautiful chaos. I’ve found that structure helps me to claim the time, and now I’ve told you for accountability! If it feels too much like work, I’ll pause and return to it later. Let me know if you fancy joining in?

Essentially I’ll be taking a few weeks to slowly re-read my journal and write daily as I soak in the year. I pre-scheduled this post, so I will hopefully mostly be reading books instead of screens and soaking up time with my people too.

I’m currently reading Skandar as recommended by my 8 year old.

Let me know if and how you mark the passing of the year?

Happy New Year when it comes. May we rest, play, soak and be gentle with ourselves.

With love,

Debbie