I’ve been thinking about the things I’ve done throughout the years, and who I’ve been. Daughter, sister, cousin, friend, co-worker, wife, mother…and the changes I could have made, to be more effective. Not regrets exactly, but if I had my time over, I’d definitely do things differently.
I’ve taught about using crystals, and essential oils, about health and wellness. I’ve studied naturopathy, aromatherapy, education, creative writing, and even religion. I educated, guided, mentored, bossed people…but I’m still not exactly sure who I am.
I identify as a mother first and foremost, ironic, seeing as I stuffed that important role up, to a huge extent. I no longer ‘mother’ anyone, or teach, or educate. I no longer have my naturopathy studio or teach about essential oils and using plants for healing. I still use them; I just don’t share the information as much.
My focus has been on my writing, for nearly two years now. I’ve still kept the social media pages for my other passions active, but as we roll into the new year, I’m considering a change. (I’m pretty sure I say this every year, but this year I want to focus on less.) I’m not ‘just an author’ or ‘just an anything’ – I keep coming back to ‘eclectic witch’ to describe me. In my head, it works to describe who I am and what I consider important. (I mean, my kids are still the most important things, but they’re adults and off living their best lives.)
Just like as a naturopath I know that all health starts in our gut, as an eclectic witch, the best way to sort things is by starting with gratitude, then intention. 2025 will be different for me, than the start of 2024, or even 2023.
We have a house now, not a farm, garden maintenance is more achievable (fingers crossed). I have a job, which brings money in – so house – tick, job – tick – things should be more settled. So much to be grateful for. Every morning, I try to spend a few minutes listing things I’m grateful for, the same at the end of the day. I don’t always remember, but I try.
What are my intentions for 2025? I’ll no longer be able to have market stalls, but that’s okay. No longer planning to hold more workshops – the interest isn’t there, people find their information on the internet now, not face to face. Now that I’ve established what I’ll not be doing, and I’ve expressed gratitude for the years that went into that part of my life, what’s ahead?
It’s the act of re-inventing myself – finding out who I am, for me – not for kids, or spouse, or anyone else. Who am I? An author – yes – I am going to keep writing and publishing books. My garden is still important to me, and the craft skills I’m learning. Not to teach others or earn money from it, just for me, and that is the huge paradigm shift. Whatever I decide, it has to be, just for me. My health, wellness and witchiness are part of how I do what I do, but I don’t have to share with everyone, unless I am asked.
Vision boards, setting intentions and goals for 2025 – yes! Tarot cards, crystals, incense, essential oils, sigils, spells – yes! Social media? Yes, but I’m not sure what that will look like. I’m still in my planning phase. Like a caterpillar deep in the cocoon, I’m working out what I’ll look like when this metamorphic change is complete.
What won’t change – gratitude and intention – stay tuned.