“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” 🌱 ~Lao Tzu

gentle beginnings... (#400)

You know that feeling when all of your socials and emails are bursting with that “new year, new me” energy, perfect vision boards, and have already created detailed Q1 plans? Meanwhile, you’re still here, sipping your coffee, maybe still wearing your holiday PJs (because they bring you joy!), and thinking, “um... I'm still processing 2024?”

I get it. Because that’s where I am too.

While everyone else is rushing full-speed ahead into 2025, I’m intentionally taking my time. Slowanuary anyone?

January has become my month for gentle reflection, quiet dreaming, and giving myself permission to move at my own pace. I’ve learned that sometimes I need to create space for my best plans to emerge.

Don’t get me wrong, I already have some thoughts on things I’d like to happen this year. Here are a few things I’ve jotted down:

• Learning to swim (this got derailed last year due to injury, so I’m putting it back on the list!)

• Aiming to get 4 paid speaking gigs (I got 2 last year, so I’m building on that success!)

• Creating some more fun things for this space. I’m noodling on the idea of a side hustle reset challenge (maybe next month?) and some other ideas, but courses like this and reading about comfy businesses are getting the ideas flowing.

• Continuing to focus on what I can control amid everything that’s about to go down in this country, starting on Monday.

These ideas are still percolating, and honestly? That’s exactly where they need to be right now. Some days I’m excitedly making plans, and others I’m just letting things simmer as I go about my day.

Here’s what I’ve come to believe: Starting a new year doesn’t have to be about dramatic transformations or setting resolutions. It can be about continuing to honor your rhythm and trusting that clarity will come in its own time.

If you’re also in a gentle planning mode, here are some baby steps that have been helping me:

• Jotting down quick notes on my phone when ideas pop up (no pressure to act on them yet!)

• Taking a few minutes with my morning coffee to just daydream a bit

• Continuing to reflect on 2024 wins and learnings and wonderings about 2025.

What if we gave ourselves permission to ease into 2025 our way?

💭 I’d love to know: How are you approaching the start of this year? Are you diving in or taking it slow like me? No wrong answers here!

On to the picks!

P.S. Happy 400th issue of #jesspicks! Thank you for being part of my world. 💖

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#love 😍

• 📺. Watching: A Peek Inside The Mind Of A Productivity Expert. I often think about this conversation between Josh Spector and Khe Hy. They talk about the concept of $10,000 work versus $10 work, work/life harmony (not balance), and how Khe has built a business where he can surf every day (which is super important to him). I love this idea of building your business around your life, and what that could look like. Something important as I think about plans for the year ahead.

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#read 👓

Work Your 9–5. Build on the Side. You Will Change Your Life in 7 Years.

“Making money for yourself, on your own terms, doing a thing that feels at the core of who you are and what you want to express to the world is the most liberating feeling I’ve ever felt.”

Love this post about building on the side and the reminder that it’s a long game.

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top picks: This super-chill book club and Fathom AI Notetaker.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” 💫 ~Arthur Ashe

• 🌱 Side Hustle Idea Kickstart: My 30-minute mini-course is perfect for exploring possibilities without overwhelm. Instead of pushing you to “go big”, I walk you through finding an idea that fits naturally into your life. Includes personalized feedback from me as you work through each lesson at your own pace.

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#lifevibes

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#supporters ☕️

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