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Love It, Leave it, or Lean into it


Photo cred: Matt Olivar (LA resident/friend/photographer)
Photo cred: Matt Olivar (LA resident/friend/photographer)

I'm writing from a heartfelt and heavy place. In many ways, I, as well as many of you who have friends and ties to Los Angeles, am still in shock. Last week, our Los Angeles friends were setting their alarm clocks all through the night, getting up every other hour to check the erratic wind directions and evacuation warnings, either scared for their own home or the homes of their loved ones. I am so sorry for anyone who has had loss or been affected by these traumatic fires. In the same week, but a completely different fire, I received news that my high school friend lost his life after a fire rescue. Landon Toshi was a paramedic on the scene of a fire in a residence on Oahu and passed away hours after. My heart goes out to his wife and two children he left behind. He was beloved by our whole class; he wore a permanent smile and was just the nicest ever. Again, different situations and places on the globe, but grieving loss from similar flames.


I realize this is a very somber preamble and a somber start to the new year. I decided, though, instead of trying to force a tone and pace that's more optimistic and up-tempo, I'm going to keep my system spinning on delicate mode. Move in a way that feels more authentic and reflective. It's a time of year when we all naturally want to update our courses and reset better patterns. So there's always that January recalibration mode you see flooding the crowded gyms and healthy food aisles; however, this feels different. It feels more thoughtful and pivotal. This time we're on the heels of unexpected destruction, trauma, and real life-altering repair. The reflection on what's important in life has been cranked to another level. The typical editing process on what we want to bring with us in the new year, and what we want to leave behind, feels heavier. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have the time to decide, unlike our friends who had to quickly evacuate and did not have the same luxury. Where I might be looking around at our belongings to figure out what's important heading into the New Year, others look around without any of their belongings or a place to belong to—and have to figure out how to get to tomorrow. Starting the year like an actual Phoenix rising from the ashes.


I was planning on posting about my favorite podcast on how to stick with resolutions and approach them in a way that's scientifically proven to be effective. Six tips have really helped me in previous years to stay on track with a goal, actually achieve it, and make it part of my lifestyle. However, given this last week, I'm going to keep things simple. I will save that one for next week.


I will, however, share the last tip since I think it is relevant, which is implementing a "slack day" into your New Year's goals. This helps avoid shame or disappointment in yourself when you slip up or just need a moment, especially at a time like now. Dr. Maya Shankar, who is a cognitive scientist on the podcast, calls it Emergency Reserves. I also see it as days of grace—a moment to let the wheel spin because too much is being processed at once. Then do what we all have to do when we stare at the spinning wheel: BE PATIENT.


My wheel-spinning moments are not necessarily me moving slower, but taking more appreciative bites of things. I find my glances towards my child and husband are held longer. The way I see my things, just physical THINGS around me, has been completely revalued. My movements are WAY more deliberate, so I actually think I'm getting way more out of my workouts. I am embracing this fugue-like state and see it as a necessary part of my reset, treating it the same way as a full night's sleep. Without a full night's sleep, I will not have a healthy immune system to fight off obstacles the next day. Without giving myself this moment of grace and slow processing (no timeline—it's for as long as I need), I will not have the strength and endurance to fight off the hard stuff in this coming year. Whether it's natural disasters, man-made disasters, political slapstick, or all the unexpected curveballs, I need this time to rehab my system and slowly digest it all so I have the strength to tackle any future nonsense.



Even though I'm moving in a more reflective way, do not worry, I am not sleepwalking! Rest assured, classes will move as they usually do, maybe even more targeted. I will be here and present, providing a setting of familiarity, dependability, fun energy, and warmth. You will still leave lighter in your spirits and spicier in your muscles—which is my version of a hug from me to you. I also invite you to process last week exactly how you need to. Give yourself as many "slack days" as you need—no timelines. If I see you moving through class on a delicate cycle, I can meet you wherever you are. I can give actual hugs too if you want, sometimes I know how to do that.



If you are interested in the whole podcast I plan to blog about next week, you can get a head start on it here. I share it every start of the New Year, it is that good:):


Excited to make your bodies sweat, smile, and reset.


XO,

Celeste

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© 2023 by Celeste Caliri. Seattle and Beyond.

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