New Year Reflections

Ohhhh, I do love my year-end reflections!

Today was an interesting start to the day. I woke up to emails from a national bank (who I do not hold accounts with) saying that my account was overdrawn nearly $2K. I've been receiving these emails for a few weeks now, but every time I call customer service, I get the run-around.

So I called again, boldly told the CSR to please stop interrupting me so I can accurately explain what is going on, and felt that ooze of empowerment that I've been leaning into this past year reignite.

Boundaries. Self-expression. Unapologetically taking up space.

That's where my personal spiritual journey has taken me this past year, and embodying this now felt oh, so natural.

I spent two hours at the local branch while we tried to piece this puzzle together--which had more moving parts than expected. I don't have an account, and yet my email is linked to an account. I felt calm and centered as the lovely branch workers and I worked through this together, and it was such an awesome juxtaposition to witness--how empowered and joyful I felt with the interactions I was having while simultaneously experiencing this not-so-pleasant thing.

(How you feel informs your experience, not the other way around!)

I then took myself to Target because Target graciously informed me they would close my card if I didn't use it. So I bought myself the Taylor Swift Era's Tour book as a belated Christmas present.

(Don't threaten me with a good time, Target!)

Now I'm ready for my traditional NYE sushi and cozy night.

But this post isn't supposed to be about today. It's supposed to be about looking back--and yet, what I experienced today feels like the perfect conclusion to the year that was.

It was a quieter year, and one in which I felt called to stay close to home and nurture what is here. Weird, I know, since I love to travel, but it's been good for my soul.

Even though it was quieter, A LOT still happened...

- I built beautiful sacred containers and firmer foundations for my spiritual business, revamping and evolving Susan Dawn Spiritual Connections in such a way that it feels cohesive and whole in a way it never did before.

- My novels started taking off thanks to some book reviewers on Tik Tok, and now The Last Letter is getting new life and more traction, which means more awareness and advocacy, and that makes my heart so incredibly happy.

- I'm plugging away at novels 5 & 6 and fingers-crossed have them slated for this coming year.

- I got back into reading novels again after being in a fiction slump for months (years?). I celebrated my birthday this year by heading out to The Book Barn in Westchester and spent hours browsing for books.

- Speaking of books, I wrote one. Unexpectedly. Unexpectedly because while it has been in my heart for years, suddenly I felt the nudge to take all of my SDSC teachings and channelings and put them into a book. Like, NOW. So I spent most of March writing the first draft, ran a Kickstarter campaign that funded at over 220% in June as a special community launch, and celebrated the official publication in November with a book signing and livestream event at my favorite spiritual shop.

- I also really prioritized my health. As someone who is multi-passionate (and an entrepreneur with multiple businesses to boot), I have tended to neglect myself in the past. For the past two years, I've been adamant that I didn't want to do that anymore, so I've been seeing a personal trainer weekly and have created more of a self-discipline with regards to exercise and nutrition.

I recently got myself a walking pad which, thanks to YouTube, I get to travel the world and learn all about new places--I'm considering it preparation for when I actually travel to these places! With a standing desk situated on top of it, I can also work and write.

(I might also at times pretend I'm in the Hadestown musical...If you know, you know!)

- The year was also filled with family and friendship. I went to some concerts, shows, and A LOT of hockey games (back2back champions!); was a psuedo-guide and photographer for my parents on their 50th Anniversary day trip; played A LOT of Canasta games with my family; celebrated best friends; and snuggled and loved the hell out of my fur babies.

It was a good year. A really good year. I'm ending it now more connected to who I am--more connected to my heart and soul--than ever before.

I can't wait to see what's next.

Happy New Year!