A Blythe Coach

March was about Mindfulness, Women’s History, Moving Around- 2024 Month 3 Review, Quarter 1 Wrap-Up

I hope you had a very merry March and quarter one of 2024!

March Mood

So very springy! In Cologne, Germany where I am located, there were early-spring flowers all around, with changeable, moody weather. What can be very energetic and productive and also very challenging time of change for many.

Celebrating International Women’s Day with two festive events kicked off my month, which continued with planning upcoming travel adventures including a weekend getaway we reveled in at the end of the month and US visit this spring.

The Kunstler Sozialkasse or artist’s guild organization of Cologne accepted me as a member, a big milestone! Now my health insurance, retirement contributions and such will be paid through them, which was very timely since my expat insurance will come to an end this year as I reach 5 years in Germany! Just wild that in July Rufio the cat and I will celebrate such a momentous anniversary of moving abroad.

Working to restore damage from the war, this Nuernburg museum houses game history

Quarter 1 Highlights

Since the end of March also marks the end of the first quarter, I wanted to look back at some significant experiences from the past three months and reflect on what is important going forward.

Learning Tango, teaching and coaching, seeing the live performance of “Twelve Ton Rose,” my admission to the KSK/TK, participation in Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Women’s History Month/International Women’s Day (and other workshops and challenges), attendance at Haie Hockey, Koeln Karneval, new windows installed in our apartment, an Easter Weekend getaway to Bavaria, the photo exhibit at Atelier Zoozmann, Robot Cat sushi with friends, new rubber stamps, and planning travel for quarter two are a few of my outstanding memories from the first three months of the year.

Quarter One Fun Bullet Journal Video

Because of its role in my creative process, Bullet Journaling has become a part of my YouTube content, so here’s an update on what I’ve been up to in my notebooks and life as recorded in my notebooks:

Quarter One Fun – March 2024 Monthly and Q1 Review video on YouTube

Time Stamps:

01:06 Jan quick review flip

03:20 Feb quick review flip

04:10 March & New Quarterly/Seasonal Book flip

08:33 Twenty-four 24s in 2024/ Projects update in Annual Book

13:30 Depth/Low-Buy/Intentional spending year

Teaching & Coaching

Got “in the swing” of my spring schedule of classes and sessions in-studio, at school, and online, including Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga Will keep you posted as further offerings become available and my schedule evolves.

Bullet Journaling & Planning

The above YouTube Video is a flip-through of March 2024 and Winter into Spring (January through March) in my Seasonal Bullet Journal books, with some commentary and thoughts along the way and links sprinkled throughout this article.

In March I continued to update my Monthly, Weekly, and Daily logs and Annual Collections and set up my April pages. April tends to always be a very action-packed month for myself as well as students and clients, so I wanted to be sure to plan ahead wherever possible.

In the first couple months of the year, I completed a few of my “Twenty-four 24s”

Twenty-Four 24s in 2024: Keeping Track of Projects & Practices

As I wrote about in my Twenty-Four 24s in 2024 article, and with an update in the video above at 08:33, for each of the 24 chosen metrics I intend to make at least 24 contributions, in this way consistently supporting my major goals and most valued priorities.

Some of the activities truly do fall about every two weeks, some being weekly or even daily (such as yoga practice, meditation, and reading), I will arrive at my goal at a different rate for each type of action, but each is something that I value and want to nurture.

Being daily rituals, I had completed twenty-four Daily Logs, Yoga, Meditation, Gratitude, & German Language practices by January 24th and I also surpassed that number of Movement Classes Taught in the first month of the year. With setting up for the year, quarter, and months ahead, I’ve also already made over 24 Bullet Journal Spreads. Social Media Posts (IG specifically) followed in week 6. Which of my 24s will I accomplish next?

Alphabet Superset

The Alphabet Superset challenge with Campbell Walker, aka Struthless, which began in 2023, continues into 2024. Everyone I know who is participating is behind schedule (Campbell himself is coming up on “K”), but we are hanging in there!

I published 2 micro video choreos to TikTok and Instagram in March, for a total of 8 in Q1:

  • “S” on TikTok
  • “T” on TikTok

Only U-Z still to go!

Freeze from my “R” Alphabet Superset micro video choreo by the Rhine

Writing & Publishing Articles

Reflection and completion very much continuing to be major themes in my thinking and writing, in March I published three articles to the blog, for a total of 6 in Q1:

Filming & Sharing Videos

I published four videos to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in March (for a total of 9 in Q1), meeting my monthly posting goal sharing dance and creative journaling content for the month:

24 Bullet Journals in 2024 video on YouTube
Dynamic Drinking Bird dance cross-training video on YouTube
Reflecting on February video on YouTube
Inspiring Inputs of 2023 Media Favorites video on YouTube

Connecting through Email & Social Media

I sent four weekly Email Newsletters in March full of value-packed resources for fellow creatives. Also fairly active on Instagram and Facebook, and on TikTok in order to post my Alphabet Superset micro video choreos. It has been so cool to get to know like-minded folks on social media and to slowly grow community online through these avenues.

The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter.

Would love to be connected to you there, here, on social media, online or in-person!

Media Musings

March media inputs included reading, listening, and viewing entertainments:

Books & Reading

I finished two novels in March for a total of 5 for Q1:

  • Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper: “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word…” 
  • In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren was an outstanding wintry “Groundhog Day-” inspired Rom-Com and I’m excited to explore other titles by this author duo

Along with In a Holidaze, I had two other favorite reads for Quarter One:

Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper, which is a Memoir/Nonfiction book which I bought as a supportive resource for my 2024 theme and have been savoring along the way. Interesting life story, entertaining style and format!

The Guest novel by Emma Cline was off-the-rails but also compellingly written.

Music & Listening

In March I transitioned from my balletic new year’s soundtrack, Quantum Leaping into 2024, into Spring Sensations Dance and I’ve also been actively working with playlists such as my in-progress

Alphabet Superset music, ABC Choreo Music Ideas, and playlists for each of the classes that I teach.

My favorite new song from March and quarter one is “​Shimmer Shimmer​” by Moxxy, “your new glow up soundtrack!”

Viewing

This section is about Films & Series seen, particularly outstanding YouTube videos watched and so forth. My favorite movies of quarter one were:

  • “Good Grief” film
  • “Nimona” film

For series, my top faves from Q1 were:

  • “Girls5eva” series
  • “Death and Other Details” series
  • “The Bear” series
  • “The Brothers Sun” series
  • “Blue Eye Samurai” series
  • “Homicide: New York” series
  • “Naked and Afraid” series
  • “What We Do in the Shadows” series
  • “Queer Eye” series and the
  • “Gender Agenda” comedy special on Netflix with Hannah Gadsby
Program and notes from Trisha Brown’s “Twelve Ton Rose” performed by Ballet de Lorraine

Questions for Reflection

  • What quantum leaps have I taken this month and quarter?
  • Which potentialities are still gestating?
  • What plans do you have for the coming month, quarter, season?
  • How can I support you in springing forward this season?
The first Daffodil bravely displaying that Spring is on it’s way!

Resources for Further Exploration

Happy new season and new quarter, may the energy of change move you in positive directions.

Special events for Dance Week, Coaching Week and more coming up soon!

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

Inspiring Inputs: 2023 Reading, Listening, Viewing & Media

Having already published a general reflection on 2023 to the blog, A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation and Growth, here I’m recording impressions from my year in books, films, series, songs, and a variety of media inputs. Of course not all were stellar, but it can be fun to look back at the influence my viewing, listening, and reading has in my creative and personal life!

It’s just incredible the access we have to endless information in this day and age, to endless information. I try not to get overwhelmed by all the options, but focus on a mix of what I enjoy and expanding my exposure and perspective.

As a teaching artist, media such as music and video are key to my practice, and I also appreciate how cultural knowledge connects us socially in society.

2023 Media Favorites

This video above is a flip-through of my Reading, Music, and the Media Memories portion of my Monthly Bullet Journal Spreads for 2023.

Along the way I provide some commentary on which books, songs, films, and series I would recommend or enjoy again.

2023 Media Favorites video on YouTube

Tastes vary! What floats your boat might very well vary from what tickles my fancy and not everything I saw or listened to last year became a classic or favorite. Hopefully this provides a fun reference for me in the future, jogs your memory of your own influential media inputs such as past works or future goals like “to read,” “to watch” and other life lists.

2023 Media Faves

Chapter Time Stamps to jump ahead to what interests you:

01:30 Books Read & TBR, Goodreads

03:00 All the books I read in 2023

05:35 Music Playlists

08:30 January Media

11:08 February Media

13:00 March Media

14:45 April Media

15:30 May Media

16:25 June Media

17:30 July Media

19:15 August Media

20:20 September Media

21:50 October Media

24:20 November Media

26:30 December Media

“Navy Blue” Dance Concert by Oona Doherty & OD Works at Schauspiel Koeln in October

Live Performances & Exhibits

Here are the highlights of the year for live special exhibitions, theatre, and dance:

  • “Susanna” at Museum Ludwig was a fascinating exploration of this historic figure in art and culture
  • “Reset: A Day Without Men” was a Theatre Piece with integration of audio and video at Studio Trafique, both conceptually and technically compelling
  • Finally we were able to see “The Nutcracker” ballet, originally scheduled for the year prior to be performed by a Russian traveling company (Russisches Stadtballett), who were replaced by a Ukrainian troupe. The small group of hardworking dancers themselves did a great job, but there was no set design, few props, and low-quality costumes (including some racist and out-of-date references) which failed to add magic to the story. At least our friends, for whom it was their first live ballet performance, were impressed but I was disappointed by the lack of love in the production values, having seen and participated in superior “Nutcracker” peformances over the years.
  • For example, Tanzschule Tanzraum’s “Alice in Wonderland” Ballet, produced by fellow educator Vivi Obadashian in November, was a far better, more magical and experience though an amateur performance. So proud of the work of our students and teachers!
  • “Navy Blue” by Oona Daugherty/OD Works was the standout dance performance of the year, which we were lucky to catch due to tickets from friends. Beautiful, well-polished, politically relevant, emotionally moving. Including an after-show talk which further revealed the diversity and depth of the dancers. I would love to do a full review of such inspiring works, but not in this format.

Sports & Games

These events I enjoyed in real-time but virtually, watching on television or online:

  • Sumo Championship – my parents turned me on to the wild world of Sumo highlights on NHL and now we’re hooked!
  • Eddie Aikau Big Surf Competition – so cool that it got to happen this year! Since the conditions have to be just right, it’s not a given, and wow is it exhilarating and terrifying to watch the competitors ride monster waves.
  • Women’s World Cup Final – very climactic
  • Stray – it is a video game about a cat in a world of robots and though I am not a gamer (watched over Ela’s shoulder as I did last year with Red Dead Redemption), it is a lovingly-rendered scene and adorable characters

Reading & Books

I find books to read all over, including special offers through Bookbub, podcasts like Soul+Wit, YouTube creators such as uncarley, Grace Nevitt, and more.

Nonfiction

  • Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks and Dan Kennedy was especially valuable and full of excercises and tools as I prepared to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo/Memoir and continued the journey to compelling writing. Dicks asserts about storytelling, “This is a much more selfless act than conventional wisdom would have you believe. It’s a little like leaving a note in the logbook on the trail that others will be hiking after you, a note that might give the next hiker a clue: ‘Keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes by the bluff at the two-mile mark’ or ‘There’s fresh water at the fire lookout if you’re running low’…” Supplemental materials also available online, such as Dick’s YouTube video How to Tell a Compelling Story
  • The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield I avoided for so long due to the title, but it has a great message for creative people and quick listen as an audiobook. Will refer back to his advice about “going pro” again in the future as a professional teaching artist! A good nugget: “Rule of thumb: the more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”
  • Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins is another inspiring business book for creative souls: “Creative people tend to live in the world of ideas and possibilities. Because of this, we might struggle with a lack of focus, but this is not always a bad thing. A wandering mind can be an asset, if you learn how to use it.”
  • The Go Giver and The Go Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David, which I listened to as audiobooks have a good message of service, though a bit pedantic: “Your true worth is determined by how much more  you give in value than you take in payment.”
  • I also bought a few eBooks as birthday presents to myself, including The Creative Act by Rick Rubin which will continue to be a reference in the future and also has a lot of supplementary promotional materials on YouTube
  • Also purchased Yoga Through the Year by Jilly Shipway “Each of us can reinvent and reimagine yoga in a way that is inclusive and respectful to all genders and the earth.” and
  • Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi, both of which will help me continue to deepen my yoga practice in the future
My 2023 Books Read Bullet Journal Spread

Fiction

Novels

  • The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo kicked off my year and was a fantastic start! I seem to be hooked by Taylor Jenkins-Reed’s novels, read a couple the year prior as well
  • Carrie Soto is Back also by Taylor Jenkins-Reed, about a tennis comeback and so much more
  • A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking was delightful, action-packed and adventurous, would be good for scary season though it is for a more youthful audience
  • The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton seemed like my kind of thing, not bad, but not quite up to my expectations
  • The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy we re-read for my 42nd birthday (I know where my towel is!) and it was Ela’s first time in English
  • Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean is a touching Rom-Com that takes place in Portland, Oregon
  • The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna was a heartwarming and modern supernatural mystery tale
  • The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is a stirring romantic adventure on the high seas
  • Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck is a very dramatically magical witchy romantic comedy
  • Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, who is also the author of the Veronica Speedwell series that I enjoy, will have to check out more of her writing
  • Thrice the Brind’d Cat Hath Mew’d by Alan Bradley was a book I put on hold during spooky season and tons of fun, but unfortunately not the first of the series about this young heroine (I’ve got the first book on hold now)
  • This Book Belongs To is a cute tale of adventure and love, got it for free through Bookbub!
  • Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan is an emotional Rom-Com
  • Yellowface by R.F. Kuang was a psychological thriller with an unsympathetic (to me) main character, which I found difficult to take as a reader but excellently delivered
  • The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown was a charming cozy with a youthful hero

Series

  • Veronica Speedwell Cozy Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn are a slow-burn Rom-Com series led by a female Lepidopterist and crime-fighting adventurist, fast moving and fun. In 2023 I finished A Perilous Undertaking, A Treacherous Curse, A Dangerous Collaboration, A Murderous Relation, An Impossible Impostor, and A Sinister Revenge.
  • Mahu Gay Police Crime / Murder Mystery series of five books, which takes place in Honolulu in the 90’s written by a Floridian. It’s not perfect, but it put me in that place in those days and introduced me to a genre I wasn’t familiar with before. Especially delightful to read before, during, and after a trip home!
  • American Royals third in the series by by Katharine McGee, lots of fun as a Rom-Com, well-written.
2023 Bullet Journal Spread of Books Read and T.B.R.

Listening & Music

Playlists

One of my personal accomplishments of the year in music was that I began transitioning from Spotify to YouTube (Unlimited) Music as my home base for managing music and playlists for teaching and personal use.

It’s been a pain, but is more compatible with the organizations and work I’m doing currently. Below are a mix of playlists old and new that were in heavy rotation last year.

My most-enjoyed playlists in 2023 were:

Songs & Pieces of Music

  • “Float” by Janelle Monae
  • “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
  • “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga
  • “I Wanna Be Yours” by the Arctic Monkeys
  • “I Made You Look” by Megan Trainor
  • “Unholy” by Sam Smith
  • “Never Ending Song” by Conan Gray
  • “Rush” by Troye Sivan
  • “in my head” by mad tsai
  • “Paint the Town Red” by Dojacat
  • “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue
  • “Chant of the Islands” by Fiji
  • “Catch a Tan” by Kimie
  • “Big Island Moonlight” by the Brown Boys
  • “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
  • “Strawberry Bubblegum” by Justin Timberlake
  • “The Sea” by Morcheeba
  • “Swing” by Zero7
  • “Light My Fire” by The Doors
  • “Blue Moon” by Ella Fitzgerald
  • “Ghosts” by Florence + the Machine
  • “Autumn’s Waltz” by Shoshana Michel
  • “This is Halloween” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
  • “Season of the Witch” by Donovan
  • “How You Like That” by Blackpink
  • “In the Night” by the weeknd
  • “WAP” by Cardi B
  • “Jealousy” FKA Twiggs
  • “Kelly Watch the Stars” by AIR

Podcasts

Writing this article makes me realize that though a number of Podcasts and YouTube videos were influential for me over the course of the year, I don’t yet have a good system in place for tracking the most valuable works to pass along. Those subscribed to my weekly email newsletter are the first to learn of resources that light me on fire, but after that I tend to lose track.

For now, noting that the information is only as good as my ability to apply it to my life and share with others, so this will be a goal for the future. Noting in my Bullet Journal helps, but I imagine my monthly review blogs which I started in 2024 will also be a good home for such information.

Stay tuned!

Viewing

Here I have more of a log of what we watched without further commentary, but in the video I provide more context:

Films

  • “White Noise”
  • “Puss in Boots” (Gestiefelte Kater) in the theater
  • “You People”
  • “A Girl Called Birdie”
  • “Sea Beast”
  • “Your Place or Mine”
  • “Superstar” an oldie/cult classic that I saw for the first time in 2023
  • “Murder Mystery II”
  • “Empire of Light”
  • “They Cloned Tyrone”
  • New “Guardians of the Galaxy”
  • “Renfield” (new Dracula movie)
  • “Elemental” Disney Pixar
  • “Barbie” in the theatre
  • “Bruised” by Halle Berry
  • “We Have a Ghost”
  • “Love Hard”
  • “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight”
  • “Moonshot”
  • New “Indiana Jones”

Series

  • “White Lotus”
  • “Only Murders in the Building”
  • “Florida Man”
  • “Killing Eve”
  • “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
  • “Schitts Creek”
  • “Dragonfly Lane”
  • “Alaska Daily”
  • “What We Do in the Shadows”
  • “Oroville”
  • “Golden Girls”
  • “Naked and Afraid”
  • “Queer Eye” Season 7
  • “American Gladiators: Muscle & Mayhem”
  • “Godless”
  • “Sex Education”
  • “Forensic Files”
  • “Last Stop Larima” Netflix Series
  • “The Case of Jenna…
  • “Down for Love”
  • “Bodies”
  • “Download”
  • “Rick and Morty” Thanksgiving Episode
  • “Princess Charming” German Lesbian Reality Series
  • “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” Reality

YouTube

  • Never Too Small Channel is our favorite place for minimalist and space-saving design
  • Coffeehouse Crime Channel has a bevy of true crime
  • World Ballet Day streamed live on YouTube, and I wanted to write up observations about what I saw and possibly record video and publish an article. That hasn’t happened yet, but these folks did post their own World Ballet Day highlights and I look forward to next year!
  • “All My Homies Hate Skrillex” YouTube Documentary is a great one about the evolution of music and popular culture
  • JashiiCorrin Channel for Bullet Journaling
  • Mark Your Pages Channel (formerly Men Who Bullet) for Bullet Journaling
  • HAY! Studio Channel for Bullet Journaling
  • Erin Smith Channel for Bullet Journaling

Media Goals for 2024

My big-picture, long-term goals haven’t changed this year, but I will be continuing to pursue them in patient, persistent, and strategic ways. I’ve chosen Twenty-four 24’s for 2024 and some have to do with inspiring inputs as well as consistent output.

Having already declared a Word of the Year in this article, next up will be jumping into action and creating systems to support the journey of the coming year. Glad to be on this journey together!

A little birdy told me we are going to fly in 2024!

Questions for Reflection

  • Do you keep track of the books you read or want to, films and series to watch, music to listen to, games to watch or play?
  • What are you enjoying and looking forward to in terms of media, reading, listening, and viewing?
  • What outstanding books did you read last year or recently?
  • Which films, series, or pieces of music have most impacted you?
  • How do you reflect on the year past?

Resources for Further Exploration

I’ve got oodles more free resources for you here on the blog, on the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel, on social media and live! The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, here, on social media, online or in-person!

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

February was for Love, Eating Disorder Awareness, Dancing Up a Storm – 2024 Month 2 Review

I hope you had a February full of your favorite things. For me, the month included celebrating Black History Month (02:25 in the video below) along with creators @plantkween @blairimani @isaiah_esquire @black.nutritionist @queeragenda), Leap Day, the first flowers of the year (07:20 in the video below), these birdsongs and the First Flower Full Moon, Valentine’s Day, Karneval (a huge deal in Cologne), and Eating Disorders Awareness Week as well as my ongoing work and projects and other special events.

Happy Lunar New Year as well to those who celebrated!

“Am I your Instagram boyfriend?” – Ela, cameraperson for “R,” best gf

Ela and I, Cologne skyline on the scene of my “R” Alphabet Superset video

February Mood & Timeline

In February things tend to get rolling for the year and 2024 was no different, as I taught and coached online, regular classes in schools and studios as well as additionally substitute teaching for colleagues on vacation.

Working on exercises and technique for a ballet exam coming up, as well as foundational work for centre, turns, and jumps with my adult students. Choreography sketches for Alphabet Superset continued to be a creative focus, and we took part in a lot of socializing for Karneval and other events.

Lots of friends, family, colleagues, and students also got sick this month, but I managed to stay well, which was a huge blessing as I worked to make progress with my first quarter goals.

With winter still in effect and spring flirting with us, I drank a lot of coffee and cocoa and curled up in flannel a lot in February, but also tried to get out and enjoy the moments of sun and witness the phenomenal early signs that spring is coming!

Teaching & Coaching

Started to get “in the swing” of my spring schedule of classes and sessions in February, though I anticipate shifts and changes through the season and year. Kept very active also substitute teaching for multiple colleagues and trialing classes in a new location.

Online Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga have been ongoing, and I will continue to share as further offerings become available and my schedule evolves this spring and beyond.

Reflecting on February in my BuJo video on YouTube, links provided for major topics

Bullet Journaling & Planning

The above YouTube Video is a flip-through of February 2024 in my “Winter” Nov-Feb Seasonal Book Bullet Journal, with some commentary and thoughts along the way and links sprinkled throughout this article.

In February I completed my March setup in a new “Spring” Seasonal/Quarterly Book (Moleskine Cahiers last me 3-4 months for this purpose), updated my Monthly, Weekly, and Daily logs and Annual Collections. One of the Annual Collections I had the opportunity to update is my “Twenty-four 24s in 2024,” for which I detail below under “Creative Chosen Challenges.”

Creative Chosen Challenges

Hosting and participating in challenges and workshops has already become an important part of 2024 as they were in 2023. Here are a few I hosted and participated in last month:

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This year I signed on to be an Eating Disorders Awareness Week collaborator again (04:35 in video), as this is an issue close to my heart and personal experiences along with many I know.

Personally, I continue to learn about anti-diet nutrition, Health At Every Size, developing a neutral relationship to body and food through inspirational leaders in these spaces.

Here’s a recap of what I shared each day of EDAW 2024:

Monday 26.2 Filmed an ​EDAW Greeting Video​ and shared it on IG

Tuesday 27.2 Re-shared “​Dancing Body Acceptance with Dietician Fumi Somehara​” an article and podcast episode 074, Part 1 of my mini-series on Dancing Body Acceptance from 2021 and still relevant today!

Wednesday 28.2 Re-shared “​Dance Recovering from Eating Disorder with Dietician Mona ‘Kai’ Iguchi​,” an article and podcast episode 075, Part 2 of my mini-series on Dancing Body Acceptance. Kai is a Dietician working in eating disorder recovery, an adult ballet dancer, and nonbinary (they/them pronouns) who has connected me with a wealth of wonderful resources when it comes to dancing nutrition, eating disorder treatment, equity and access. They were also a ballet student of mine at the University of Hawai’i!

Thursday 29.2 Recommended a bunch of ​Body-Positive and Anti-Diet Creators who inspire me​, including yoga teachers, coaches, dancers, therapists, nutritionists and other creators who foster diversity and inclusion like:

@​ddd_centre_for_recovery​

@​trustyoufirst​

@​tothepointenutrition​

@​langernutrition​

@​healthywithkelsey​

@​diannebondyyogaofficial​

@​happyshapesnaomi​

@​raevynn_yoga​

@​scotteeisfat​

@​chronicallycozylife​

@​fringeish​

@​juldelbi​

@​colleenmwerner

Friday 1.3

IG that my EDAW might be complete as of today, but body bias, stigma, toxic diet culture and disordered eating must be addressed year-round. I commit to body-positivity in my classes and programs and continuing to grow in my relationship to food, eating, diversity, and inclusion.

A few more excellent resources to check out are:

In the first couple months of the year, I completed a few of my “Twenty-four 24s”

Twenty-Four 24s in 2024: Keeping Track of Projects & Practices

As I wrote about in my Twenty-Four 24s in 2024 article, for each of the 24 chosen metrics I mean to make at least 24 contributions, and in this way consistently support my major goals and most valued priorities.

Some of the activities truly do fall about every two weeks, some being weekly or even daily (such as yoga practice, meditation, and reading), I will arrive at my goal at a different rate for each type of action, but each is something that I value and want to nurture.

Being daily rituals, I had completed twenty-four Daily Logs, Yoga, Meditation, Gratitude, & German Language practices by January 24th (12:10 in the video above) and I also surpassed that number of Movement Classes Taught in the first month of the year. With setting up for the year, quarter, and months ahead, I’ve also already made over 24 Bullet Journal Spreads. Social Media Posts (IG specifically) followed in week 6. Which of my 24s will I accomplish next?

Daily language learning on Duolingo reached a 1,600 streak February 2nd!

Alphabet Superset

The Alphabet Superset (03:30 in the video) challenge with Campbell Walker, aka Struthless, which began in 2023, continues into 2024. Everyone I know who is participating is behind schedule, but we are hanging in there!

I published 3 micro video choreos to TikTok and Instagram in February:

S-Z still to go as the year progresses!

Writing & Publishing Articles

Reflection and completion very much continuing to be major themes in my thinking and writing, in February I published two articles to the blog:

Filming & Sharing Videos

I published four videos to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in February, meeting my monthly posting goal sharing dance and creative journaling content:

2023 Annual Bullet Journal Collections flip-through video on YouTube
2023 Monthly & Weekly Bullet Journal Collections flip-through video on YouTube
Swans on the Lake Ballet Warm-up video on YouTube
A Dancey Day in My Journals vlog-style video on YouTube

Connecting through Email & Social Media

I sent four weekly Email Newsletters in February (11:00), was active on Instagram and Facebook, and am on TikTok in order to post my Alphabet Superset micro choreo videos. In 2024, I plan to review overall performance metrics and strategy on a quarterly basis, so I won’t analyze every single number every month. Let’s keep creating, sharing, and interacting and we’ll see where we are again soon at the end of March/Quarter 1.

The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, here, on social media, online or in-person!

We went all “Everything Everywhere All At Once” for Koeln Karneval in February (after the 2023 film)

Arts & Culture

Highlights in the areas of culture, art, and sport for February:

Karneval (10:00) Weiberfastnacht Thursday we hosted a brunch with friends before going out dancing and Rosenmontag (Monday) we watched the big parade on TV with my girlfriend’s Dad and a delicious German meal. Not all of the political floats were to my taste, but it was delightful and unique as always. Some events we were planning on were cancelled due to illness, but overall a very festive time that helps us get through an otherwise fairly dreary time of year.

We (Ela & I) completed our Tango Argentino beginner class at Tanzraum (Basic, Ocho, Cortado) and are continuing in March! I’m learning to lead a pair or ballroom dance for the first time and Ela is following and it is every bit as challenging, technical, and exciting as we hoped and we’re having fun so far.

Media Musings

What did I enjoy reading, hearing, and seeing in February?

Happy to chat further about what I’m reading and enjoying as we mosey into the year, and to hear about what you recommend I read, listen to, see or otherwise experience next.

Books & Reading

I finished two novels in February (05:40 in video), comfort reads which I had put on hold as eBooks through my library on Libby for “Fall” reading and became available:

  • Finished Happy Place by Emily Henry, a sweet and well-written romance
  • Also completed The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, originally recommended on Soul+Wit, and not necessarily a top read of the year, but an entertaining paranormal romance that would be perfect during spooky season (spicy). One gem that suits my 2024 Word/Stand of the Year: “Rhys might have been The Fool, but maybe she was, too, because she realized that the image, a person walking merrily off a cliff, wasn’t necessarily about being reckless. It was about taking a leap and trusting something—someone—would catch you.” 
  • Started Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper: “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word…”     
Music & Listening

In February I listened to and continued editing the playlist I created in January, Quantum Leaping into 2024, a balletic new year’s soundtrack.

Actively working with playlists such as my in-progress

Alphabet Superset music, ABC Choreo Music Ideas, and playlists for each of the classes that I teach, with more seasonal fun in the works.

Songs that particularly stuck with me in February, some newer and some older (which I mention in the video at 06:05):

  • “Never Ending Song”
  • “In my head”
  • “Rush” the track for “R”
  • “Escapism”
  • “W.I.T.C.H.”
  • “Everything is Everything” just a classic
  • “Padam Padam” the track for “P”
  • “Quick” the track for “Q”
  • “Get Him Back” a recent student fave

Viewing

This section is about Films & Series seen (06:40), particularly outstanding YouTube videos watched and so forth.

  • “Nimona” Film on Netflix is a modern animated adventure
  • “Queer Eye” Series (complete season)
  • “Mer-people” Series (complete)
  • “Naked and Afraid” Series (regularly)
  • “The Germinator” Series (occasionally)
  • “The Brothers Sun” (complete)
  • “The Bear” (regularly)
New windows (Ela re-installed the cat shelf), a major February home event

Look forward to sharing how in March I took part in International Women’s Day and invite you to special events for Dance Week, Coaching Week and more coming up soon! Enjoy your Karneval and Easter candy and see you again soon (11:00).

Questions for Reflection

  • What did your last month look like?
  • Which annual intentions or resolutions are you carrying forward?
  • What plans do you have for the coming month, quarter, season?
  • What creative inputs and media should I check out next?
  • How can I support you in going after your dreams?
The first Daffodil bravely displaying that Spring is on it’s way!

Resources for Further Exploration

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.

Twenty-Four 24’s in 2024: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style

Having benefited from tracking “Twenty-three 23’s in 2023” actions in my Bullet Journal collections inspired by Jess, aka JashiiCorrin on YouTube, which I wrote about my in my 2023 Review blog, I decided to keep it going this year with twenty-four 24’s in 2024!

Arranged according to my 8 major focus areas–Read, Write, Create, Practice, Serve, Connect, Sustain, and Adventure–this way I get a somewhat holistic picture of my intentions and goals for the year. I focus on actions I can take, then see what results occur. Then I reflect, recommit or change direction, and carry on creating!

For each of the 24 chosen metrics I mean to make at least 24 contributions, consistently supporting my major goals and most valued priorities. Some of the activities truly do fall about every two weeks, some being weekly or even daily (such as yoga practice, meditation, and reading), I will arrive at my goal at a different rate for each type of action. Each is something that I value and want to nurture, but the precise frequency that supports me best depends on the action.

At this point a few of the 24 actions are already complete and I’ll be sharing updates in future monthly review blog articles!

24 Actions, 24+ Times

In December and January I set up the 24 collection spreads in my Annual Book (just a dot-grid Moleskine notebook as usual) and since then I’ve been continuously updating them as I take action. Some metrics I may not share in detail for personal or privacy reasons, and of course what measures are important to you will be different from my priorities, but I hope this sparks ideas for your own practice.

Here’s the spread with the beginning of my index for my Annual Book on the left and my “Twenty-four 24’s” list on the right, with a collection for each item to follow:

24+ in 2024 BuJo Spread in Annual Collections Book

Twenty-Four 24’s Flip-Through

The video below on YouTube is a flip-through of my Annual Collections Book for 2024 so far, including my Twenty-Four 24’s in 2024, creative challenges planned, notes and synchronicity along the way.

Just sharing my own process and preferences, what works for you might look very different! Brands and items I mention in the video are just what I currently use, based on personal experience and opinion. This video is not sponsored (none are so far) and I encourage you to use whatever supplies you have access to and enjoy.

If you enjoy this sort of content, check out my 2023 Annual Book and reflections, Word of the Year, and I’ll be back soon with more fun with ballet, mindful movement, creativity, and beyond.

My Twenty-Four 24’s

1. Read Books

Fiction Novels such as cozy mysteries and rom-coms, Nonfiction, Personal Growth, Scriptures, Poetry, anything goes! Enjoying reading every day and learning from new perspectives and diving into favorite topics are my main reading goals, so consistency and value is more important than volume.

Subscribers to my weekly email newsletter are privy to what I’m currently reading, top recommendations, and thoughts about current reads. Goodreads also tracks at least my eBook titles, most of which I borrow from the library using the Libby App.

For 2022 I shared intended study areas and favorite reads and content in a variety of media here on the blog and I’m also including selections in this year’s monthly review blogs. Here is January. Up next is a February Reflection and then March hot on my heels!

Books Read & TBR

2. Write Daily Logs

Having my pocket notebook on hand at all times allows me to keep ongoing notes throughout the day, based on the sort of rapid logging Ryder Carroll describes in the Bullet Journal Method.

Morning Pages, Weekly Spreads (24th class taught), Daily Logs

3. Write Morning Pages

Starting when I did Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, now I write my freewheeling freehand Pages most weekdays as part of my creative morning ritual.

4. Write & Publish Blog Articles

Like this one! I write about dance, mindful movement, creativity, lifelong learning, coaching, and joyful living. I started blogging in order to share my knowledge, provide references for students and clients, and find my voice.

I continue because it has done all of that and also connects me to a community of likeminded people!

Blog Articles Published and To-Be-Written

5. Write & Send Email Newsletters

The best way to keep in touch across the globe! I own my email list and website, so am less affected when social media goes down, and this also assures that you never miss out an anything I create or recommend.

Not yet a subscriber to my Email Newsletter? You can join here and let me know if you ever have questions.

Write Email Newsletters & Poems

6. Write Poems

My ongoing log (both analog and digital) of “acorns” or nuggets of poems and songs for possible eventual completion helps keep me in practice and creates a bank of material for future use. Short poems can also come through all at once, like the 365 Haiku I wrote in 2021.

7. Write & Send Letters

Tell loved ones how I feel, pen pal, keep in touch. An area for growth.

8. Create & Post Videos

This action I would like to complete weekly, but 24 is a good minimum to start with and supports me in consistently publishing videos to engage my students and audience. You can view and subscribe to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel here.

9. Create Choreography

Engaging in movement and artistic research is an ongoing feature of my practice. Like writing acorns or small segments of poems, the daily practice can be small, involving improvising, moving, and brainstorming. Then in addition to choreography for my classes and larger projects I am currently challenging myself to create weekly micro video choreography sketches for the #alphabetsuperset creative challenge. All of these could become of my working drafts – ideas and sequences that may find their way into (or ate least influence and inspire) a video, a class, workshop, collaboration, or other creation.

Choreography & Podcasting

10. Create BuJo (Bullet Journal) Spreads

Got a good start on this in December and January as I set up my Annual Book spreads including my Future Log, these Twenty-Four 24’s. Along with the Monthly and Weekly spreads I create in my Seasonal Books and other special collections, I will certainly meet this goal. Like journaling content? Some of my spreads can be found on Instagram, in videos (in relation to creativity), and in blog articles like this one that relate my personal process.

11. Create & Publish Podcasts

Not so much of a priority as it was in the past, but still would be nice to come back to as a complement to writing, dancing, and creating videos. It was pretty cool to publish my 100th podcast last year and I learn a lot through experimenting with that very free medium. The A Blythe Coach podcast started as a way to articulate and share ideas while I was going though my Yoga Teacher Training and integrating concepts from my western philosophy, dance, coaching, and pedagogical study.

12. Create Music – Practice Instrument(s)

Also a bit aspirational, but I do enjoy including singing, harmonica, percussion, and other musical creative practices that complement my choreography, dance, and movement education.

This is one way that I continually develop rhythm and musicality as I wrote about here.

Creating Music Playlists and Practicing an Instrument

13. Create Music Playlists

For dance classes, choreographic inspiration, yoga, setting the mood, and celebration.

As with books and reading, I sometimes share my favorite songs, pieces of music, and playlists including those I create myself in my videos, articles, and email newsletter.

14. Practice Yoga

Short or longer daily yoga practices have been one of my most consistent daily habits since 2019, so this year I completed my 24th practice of 2024 on January 24th. Here is an article where I wrote about Healthy Habit Building, and I also share about yoga on my YouTube Channel and in-person and online teaching.

Practicing Yoga, Meditation, Gratitude, German, Physical Therapy, Artist’s Dates

15. Meditate

As with Yoga, Meditation is a part of my daily ritual of healthy habits and so I reached 24 sessions on the 24th of January. There are so many benefits and I’ll absolutely continue to practice.

16. Practice Gratitude & Abundance

In my pocket notebook, digitally in the Gratitude App, as often as I can being present to the abundance and beauty I enjoy.

17. Practice German/Deutsch

Duolingo helps me continue to build my vocabulary and correct my grammar alongside practicing in teaching and everyday conversation. Being a daily activity, usually two short sessions mornings and evenings, I completed over 24 sessions by the end of January.

18. Physical Therapy

With a Thera Band, Balance Board, Foam Roller, Ball, Pull-Up Bar and more, I do a lot of cross-training in order to be able to continue actively dancing and teaching mindful movement.

19. Artist Dates & Creative Nourishment

Playfully fueling my creative fire, using my art & craft supplies, journaling, coffeeshops, bookstores, museums and galleries, performance and adventures, park time sketching, bird-watching…pretty much anything that inspires me can qualify as an Artist’s Date! Like that of Morning Pages, this concept comes from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

20. Serve – Teach Classes

Ongoing Mindful Movement classes in Ballet, Barre+, Barre a Terre, and Yoga as well as special workshops and master classes are all a part of my professional service as a teaching artist and educator.

Coaching & Teaching

21. Serve – Coaching Sessions

Coaching clients, offering sample sessions, and supporting people in taking leaps of faith to create the life of their dreams is also part of the professional service that I provide.

22. Connect – Host & Participate in Challenges

Participating in others’ creative challenges, such as Alphabet Superset, NaNoWriMo, Inktober, and others provide motivation, community, and structure in which my artist child can play. Hosting my own creative challenges in the areas of dance, yoga, and coaching, is a fun way to connect and support folks on those journeys.

Workshops, Challenges, & Social Media

23. Connect – Social Media Posts & Sharing

Sharing resources, behind-the-scenes experiences, connecting with my creative community on Instagram and Facebook several times a week as @ablythecoach

24. Sustain – Adulting & Financial Fun

Weekly check-ins with accounts, bills, budgeting, balancing books, profit, debt, insurance, investment and adulting also need to be regularly updated. Staying real and being on top of this area eases anxiety and helps me focus on what is important.

25. Bonus! Adventure & Celebration

Travel, Events, Dates & New Experiences are one of my favorite areas in which to set goals and broaden my horizons, connect with loved ones and meet new connections. Trips home to visit my family and on other getaways are in the works for 2024.

Adventure, Travel, To-See

What are Your 24?

If you’ve chosen intentions and objectives for the year, I’d love to hear about them and how it is going! You can start now, or at any time, just by choosing one action you’d like to complete 24 times in the coming period. Build a new habit and see the impact taking one small (repeatedly) can have!

Questions for Reflection

  • What goals and intentions do you have for 2024, the coming quarter and month?
  • What small actions or habits could you practice regularly in alignment with your intended outcomes?

Resources for Further Exploration

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

International Women’s Day Beautiful Adaptive Adult Ballet Barre+ with A Blythe Coach

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m offering a complimentary online Beautiful Ballet Barre+ class!

We will kick off a new season of mindful movement with a delicious, gentle, adaptive beginner and beyond level online ballet barre plus one or two optionally-freestanding exercises for adults.

Accompanied by lovely music, joyful and suitable to all levels and genders. Dancers will be encouraged to express themselves through classical dance movements, taking their own appropriate variations of standard ballet steps. Leave feeling inspired, empowered, and artistically stimulated.

Sign Up for IWD Beautiful Ballet Barre+ Class

Friday, March 8th at 8:00am CET/German time (9:00pm Thursday night in Hawai’i) on Zoom.

International Women’s Day Ballet Barre+ with Blythe online March 8th 8:00 CET

Workshop Structure

This year’s IWD theme is “Inspire Inclusion” and I intend to embody that commitment in this workshop and all of my offerings. It is an area of ongoing growth potential.

Once signed up for the Ballet Barre+ class, you will receive an email with a link to the Zoom Meeting prior to the session Friday morning German time.

We will dress comfortably in ballet slippers or socks and meet for one hour online with camera on or off depending on personal preference, microphone off unless you’ve got a question, which you may also pose in the chat.

Have water ready and/or beverage of your choice, as well as a mat and any props you may see suitable for floor work (options, not required).

Set up your device so that you can see and hear the Zoom video stream and move freely on a smooth surface while supported by a sturdy “barre” or counter, windowsill, chair or wall.

Exercises may be performed in standing, seated, or reclining positions with endless variations depending on dancers’ abilities and preferences. Blythe will be dancing on one side of their kitchen, with a counter and chair for support and ready to demonstrate various options.

I would additionally like to offer a sample of my other mindful movement offerings during Women’s History Month, including Yummy Gentle Yoga and considering offering an online version of my Barre a Terre/mat training course for those who would like to practice other techniques or can’t make it to the IWD class day/time.

The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter.

I look forward to dancing with you, grand plie as pictured here not required!

Ballet Barre+ Workshop Host

The class will be led by Blythe Stephens, they/she, MFA in Dance, Certified Coaching Graduate, YTT200, Bliss Catalyst & Creator of A Blythe Coach: helping multi passionate creatives dance through their difficulties & take leaps of faith into fulfillment.

Hawai’i-raised and Cologne, Germany-based, Blythe collaborates with students and clients in-studio and online and would love to connect on social media @ablythecoach

Resources for Further Exploration

Questions for Reflection

  • How do you enjoy ballet, dance, or other mindful movement techniques in your daily practices?
  • Where is the growing edge of your artistic learning currently?
  • How are you celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month?

Let’s keep in touch, keep dancing, and let me know if I can be of service!

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review

The first week in January being school & studio holidays and furthermore part of the 12 Days of Christmas, we continued to take time off from regular teaching and work duties, recovering from the holidays and completing our celebration of the years past and freshly arrived.

Early 2024 in Cologne, the mood was very winter wonderland, with more snow than I’ve seen in the years I’ve lived in Germany so far! It was a study in contrasts, with cozy cuddles indoors, deep inner work, sparkling fun, and jumping right out of my comfort zone and into my vision for the year!

Did a lot of journaling, an important part of my process

January Mood & Timeline

My philosophy on January and the start to the new year is to go gently, allow myself to process, rest, celebrate, and plan at my own pace.

Only my online classes continued and it was lovely to meet in mindful movement through the holidays with my community there with few demands from elsewhere.

At home, we did some clearing, cleaning, and decluttering after the holidays, I finally conquered my paper pile tiger (a huge accomplishment!), Ela repaired my broken water bottle strap and some miscellaneous items to get the apartment and our personal affects shipshape. We also got out a good bit to socialize, adventure, and try new things to set the tone for the year.

Completion, reflection & planning were major themes of my month personally, including tallying data from the year past, tying up loose ends including applying to be reimbursed and receiving payment for medical bills through my insurance and other adulting responsibilities necessary to move forward unhindered.

Also made use of the time gestating new ideas, brainstorming, and thinking creatively about the future.

My completed January Bullet Journal spread, major objectives L, dates/art flyer R

Teaching & Coaching

Once schools and studios were back in session, I returned to Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes for Ballet for all ages as well as covering for another teacher on vacation, and I went back to Henry Ford for Yoga plus new course: English through American films and music!

I taught a well-received trial Barre a Terre class at one2one Institut and will be having another to try another time slot in February. Online Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga have been ongoing, and I will continue to share as further offerings become available and my schedule evolves this spring and beyond.

2023 Bullet Journal Monthly & Weekly Spreads Flip video on YouTube

Bullet Journaling & Planning

Bullet Journaling, reflection, planning, setups, and decorating are at this point a well-established part of my life and creative process, and even moreso as one year’s cycle transitions into the next.

In January I completed monthly & quarterly reflections in my 2023 books in order to finish digesting the year and set up my spreads for 2024, including Annual Collections and February setup (having set up January in December).

I was very much reflecting on 2023 even as I planned 2024, completing monthlies, quarterlies, and my reflection blog along with my 2023 Review BuJo Spread, 2024 Annual Book (setup flip to come) and February setups. Over the course of the month I started filling in 2024 Annual Book Collections, populated my Future Log for the year ahead, and kept January memories.

2023 Annual Collections Journal Flipthrough and 2024 Migration part 1 on YouTube

Creative Chosen Challenges

Hosting and participating in challenges and workshops was definitely a highlight of 2023 and will certainly be a part of 2024, too. Here are a few I participated in for January:

“Jahresrückblog” – Annual Reflection Blog Challenge

In December I participated, in January I wrote, and on February 2nd I finally published for Judith Peters’ aka Sympatexter‘s blogging challenge called “Jahresrückblog” (in German). Though it still took time to process my 2023, the challenge was a brilliant support for writing and sharing annual retrospective.

She also inspired me through this experience to start writing monthly personal reflection blogs like this one in addition to the expert articles and special challenges and projects I’ve been creating.

Twenty-Four 24s in 2024: Keeping Track of Projects & Practices

Measuring action towards my most important goals and habits that support my projects or areas of focus is a key objective for notebooks and journaling.

This particular game or approach was inspired by Jess, aka JashiiCorrin on YouTube, with a Bullet Journal spread to declare and track that I first set up for 2023. I wrote about my “Twenty-three 23’s in 2023” in my 2023 Review blog.

This year the general goal number being 24, for each of the 24 chosen metrics I mean to make at least 24 contributions, and in this way consistently support my major goals and most valued priorities. Some of the activities truly do fall about every two weeks, some being weekly or even daily (such as yoga practice, meditation, and reading), I will arrive at my goal at a different rate for each type of action, but each is something that I value and want to nurture.

Having set up my spreads for the 24 areas in my Annual Collections Bullet Journal, I’ve been keeping track of my efforts for each along the way, but won’t necessarily share results in every area in each monthly review blog. Instead, I’m thinking of reviewing them in more detail on a quarterly or seasonal basis, since I do content and business planning and looking at numbers such as social media growth at that interval. Some metrics I may not share in detail for personal or privacy reasons, and of course what measures are important to you will be different from my priorities, but I hope this sparks ideas for your own practice.

In any case, additional photos and video to come as I work in my own 2024 collections, and I’m finding this structure a lot of fun and really supportive so far.

Alphabet Superset

Continuing the Alphabet Superset challenge with Campbell Walker, aka Struthless, in 2024 and I published my “N” micro video choreo &

“O” micro video choreos to TikTok and Instagram in January. P-Z still to go as the year progresses!

It’s an eclectic and inspiring community to be a part of and creating these short works and seeing what others are making certainly provides a stimulating creative motivator.

January BuJo spread: goals/art flyer L, further early-year objective R

Yoga Visibility Challenge

Susanna Barkataki is a yoga teacher who I follow on social media and always feel called out by, in a good way, so I signed up for her Yoga Visibility Challenge in January.

The practices provided, reflection, and action steps had me considering my voice, message, role, identity, and challenging but needed conversations. I made a first stab at responding to the prompts for each of the three days of the challenge here on Instagram, but I know there’s always further growth in articulating my voice and message.

Actually, I launched my Podcast, then the blog and YouTube Channel a few years ago specifically in order to practice exactly this sort of articulation, to share my knowledge and refine my message. By getting work out there, I have been figuring out how to best say what I’m here on this earth to.

Along the way, I’ve been more and more open about my own life experiences and perspective, and though this visibility feels very vulnerable, I know it is valuable to see others.

Fortunate in so many ways, the position I come from is one of privilege, as I’m a white American with multiple degrees and am read as female in alignment with my assignment at birth. Though I’ve long identified myself as queer sexually and my sense of my gender evolves as my consciousness expands, I’ve been lucky not to have been met with ridicule so far, blending in enough for acceptance, but know it’s possible.

Leading and intentionally lifting up others, I stand for diversity and inclusion and practice a pedagogy of emancipation, inquiry, anti-discrimination and bias of all kinds.

Hosting Workshops & Challenges

I hosted a few challenges in 2023, and I’ve got some exciting things to share with you this year as well!

Aside from trial classes in a new location, I didn’t teach any special workshops or host a challenge in January (again, focusing on rest and reflection). In February I’m collaborating again on Eating Disorders Awareness Week and will be sharing more 26.2.-3.4.2024 as well as taking part in International Women’s Day on March 8th, Dance Week, Coaching Week, the Spring Equinox, and more to be announced…

Writing & Publishing Articles

In January I published one article to the blog: Quantum Leaping in 2024 – Word / Intention of the Year. I continued working diligently behind-the-scenes on my A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation and Growth – 2023 Reflections Blog, which I published February second, and others as yet to be released.

Filming & Sharing Videos

I published one video to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in January, though I was also preparing content for February and beyond:

2024 Word of the Year – Leap! Video on YouTube

Connecting through Email & Social Media

I sent four weekly Email Newsletters in January, was active on Instagram and Facebook, am using TikTok to post my Alphabet Superset videos. In 2024, I plan to review performance metrics and strategy on a quarterly basis. Each month and in my corresponding reflection blog articles, I just want to keep creating, sharing, and interacting.

One milestone that I did hit in January was 500 subscribers to my YouTube Channel – hooray!

The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, here, on social media, online or in-person!

Ballet de Lorraine did a wonderful job with Trisha Brown’s “Twelve Ton Rose”

Arts & Culture

Highlights in the areas of culture, art, and sport for January:

  • Saw a new sport live: Ice Hockey with the Cologne Haie or sharks and our neighbors, so much fun! Neither Ela nor I had ever attended a professional ice hockey game, and it was especially luxurious from the boxes.
  • Live dance performance: we had a getaway to Bonn to see “Twelve Ton Rose” by Trisha Brown performed by Ballet de Lorraine in Bonn, along with a Postmodern Art exhibit – beautifully done!
  • Began Tango Argentino beginner class at Tanzraum (Basic, Ocho…) where I’m learning to lead a pair or ballroom dance for the first time and Ela is following. It’s challenging, technical, exciting, and we’re having fun.
January Glows & Media BuJo spread: media L, highlights R

Media Musings

It sounds like fun to keep track of my favorite inputs on a monthly basis as well, such as what I’ve enjoyed reading, hearing, seeing, etc.

Happy to chat further about what I’m reading and enjoying as we mosey into the year, and to hear about what you recommend I read, listen to, see or otherwise experience next.

Books & Reading

I finished reading one novel in January, Emma Cline’s The Guest, which was such a hard-to-put-down thrilling trainwreck of a ride! Definitely for adults and probably not for everyone, so well-written and so unhinged.

Daily scripture (currently Bible, Quran), poetry (Rumi at the moment), and nonfiction readings (Better Living Through Birding, Yoga Through the Year…) continue to inspire, and I’ll be working my way slowly through several great works this year.

Music & Listening

One new playlist resulted from my music listening in January, Quantum Leaping into 2024, which is my balletic soundtrack to dance in the new year.

Continuing to actively work with playlists such as my in-progress

Alphabet Superset music, ABC Choreo Music Ideas, and of course tracks and playlists for each of the classes that I teach or more seasonal fun in the works.

Songs that particularly stuck with me in January included some which vibe with my theme of leaping and flying, such as

  • “I’ll Fly with You”
  • “Fly Like an Eagle”

Viewing

This section is about Films & Series Seen, particularly outstanding YouTube videos watched and so forth.

  • “Good Grief” film, yes I cried
  • “The Menu” film, twisted but good, maybe a bit much with “Saltburn” late last year…
  • “Blue Eyed Samurai” is animated but violent, beautiful if you’re into that sort of thing (Ela was watching the series and I joined her)
  • “Bear” series is stressful but well-played (live-action kitchen drama, another Ela pick)
  • “Queer Eye” new season gave me a boost I needed, and reminded me (along with their IG account) during the Yoga Visibility Challenge, what an inspiration Jonathan Van Ness is and how I appreciate the Fab Five!
  • “Love on the Spectrum” is a sweet feel-good documentary
  • “Imbolc Yoga” from Moon Medicine on YouTube (35 minutes) was a particularly lovely practice
Enjoying a snowy stroll through the park with my love in January!

Questions for Reflection

  • How do you reflect on the year past, last month, or other periods of time?
  • What goals and intentions do you have for 2024?
  • What actions or habits must you practice regularly in alignment with your intended outcomes?
  • What creative inputs and media should I check out next?
  • How can I support you in going after your dreams this year?

Resources for Further Exploration

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.

A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation & Growth – 2023 Reflections

2023

Lovely as can be,

a time to create

and witness beauty

That’s the poem I shared when I declared my Word of the Year and practices to make it so.

Now how did it go?

View of Cochem in the Mosel wine region of Germany

In December I participated in Judith Peters’ aka Sympatexter’s blogging challenge called “Jahresrückblog,” in support of writing and sharing annual retrospective and reflection blog article. Love a bit of structured reflection and sharing insights that may be interesting or helpful to others!

As I’ve noted in previous years, it takes me a while to complete such a reflection process, so I didn’t click “publish” on the deadline of the challenge, but was well-served by the social media prompts, live and recorded support and community that the challenge provided.

Here I am now to share my thoughts on 2023, at least as I experienced it, and inspired to share more regular personal reflections of this nature in the form of monthly-ish blogs, in order to continue to connect with folks with similar values and interests for whom my work and being in the world resonates.

Did a lot of journaling, an important part of my process

Here I’m reviewing my goals and intentions, highlights and lowlights, joys, lessons, and challenges of 2023, in order to move powerfully into 2024.

Review of My 2023 Goals

What became of my declarations for last year?

Following Amanda McKinney’s annual planning process, I had set larger annual goals in the areas of Life, Growth (Business), and Revenue. Spoiler alert, I didn’t reach any of them!

But! I still made progress in each area, just saw slower results than I had hoped for. These measurable differences and improvements were the gift of gathering all this data, as well as perspective on how regular actions contribute to results over time. Now I also have increased knowledge and experience to set and achieve better goals in the future.

You could say it was a challenging year for me personally, and I know I’m not alone in that, but I am here to celebrate what wins there were and what I’ve learned and enjoyed along the way.

A view of home: Kailua Bay from the Kona Inn with red hibiscus in the foreground

2023 Outcomes

  • Life: My lived experience, interactions and influence on others was my highest priority. Creating and witnessing my Word of the Year, Beauty, was my intention in this area, and I DID indeed create and witness beauty plentifully! Made strides connecting, sharing love, adventuring and celebrating, traveling, and practicing rituals and habits. When things were difficult or I felt low, I sought support and kept in mind the intrinsic beauty of life and the small moments even in the midst of struggle, pain, or loss. I deeply appreciated, savored, and celebrated everything that is beautiful and that I’m grateful for in life, including my love, family, friends, and community, nature and art! I was blessed with rich cultural experiences, travel, and adventure.
  • Growth: I didn’t reach my 1,000 subscriber goal for YouTube, but did end 2023 with 495 subs, and in January of 2024 I reached the 500 sub milestone! This is nothing close to viral or even profitable, but I find sharing and connecting with people through the channel as well as my blog and social media very beneficial in terms of refining my message and connecting with likeminded folks. As YouTube pointed out, that’s enough people to fill a jumbo jet 🙂 This was not enough, yet, to translate into large gains in clients or students, but I have seen growth in enrollment as well. I increased the number and type of my offerings and still wrote and created quite a bit, so feeling proud of my efforts overall. Will continue with perseverance and strategy.
  • Revenue: I’m not sharing financial details here in this article, but like my other stated goals, I saw distinct growth, albeit not yet at the scale I desired. New opportunities continue to present themselves and I am so grateful to be able to do work I’m passionate about! Continuing to work to give myself grace with transitioning to a new country, language and life through global pandemic.

Annual Glows + Grows

As with my reflections on other periods of time, in Daily Logs, Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly Reflections, I take note of what went well, what was challenging, surprises and challenges, highlights and lowlights.

I vent it all, then see what trends and themes I can suss out.

Glows: Highlights & Accomplishments

As we saw, I did not hit all of the targets I set though process was made. There were some standout moments related to my intentions, as well as delights and enriching experiences that arrived over the course of the year.

I’m especially pleased and proud of:

  • Maintaining daily Yoga, Meditation, Reading, Writing, Gratitude + Abundance, German practices, weekly Physical Therapy, Improvisation, Artist’s Dates, monthly reflection
  • 5th Anniversary and happy with Ela
  • Trip Home to Kailua-Kona in May
  • Getaways to Bochum in at the start of the year, to the Mosel wine region with friends in September, to Amsterdam with my cousins in June
  • Other cousins visited Cologne in October and of my best friends visited Cologne in December
  • Classes and offerings growing, Barre a Terre, teaching and coaching in new locations and demographics, further possibilities unfolding
  • “Alice im Wunderland Ballett” was a success with Tanzschule Tanzraum at the Urania Theatre in Cologne, so proud of all the students!
  • Hosted new challenges and workshops: “International Women’s Day Yoga,” “Get Down Daily,” “Ignite the Spark of Creativity,” “Transitions & Translations,”
  • Emceed for the first time for West Hawai’i Dance Theatre’s “Rikki Tikki Tavi Ballet”
  • Participated in challenges new and old: Camp NaNoWriMo/Memoir, Self-Care September, A Year of Planning, Alphabet Superset creative challenge still in progress, learning to use TikTok
  • Adulting: Started collecting profit using the PROFIT FIRST system, Granted a 3-year work visa in Germany, Applied for the Kunstler Sozialkasse and Techniker Krankenkasse, Solved credit card issue, switched Spotify to YouTube for music, bought a Deutschland Ticket subscription for unfettered travel
  • Arts & Culture – was treated to live performances including “Nutcracker,” “Rikki Tikki Tavi,” and “Navy Blue”
  • Sports – started practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong, watching Sumo Championships, Women’s World Cup finals, Eddie Aikau surf competition
  • Ela returned to Karate after working hard to recover from knee injury and surgery
  • Bathroom repair after flooding late 2022 finally complete
  • Received a copy of a history of one side of my family from a distant cousin: The Kernahan Clan, still need to read it and follow-up
  • Had a blast on my Artist’s Dates, bought stationery, played in my journals and got creative, especially enjoyed traveling with my new Artist’s Roll for my colored pencils and a few other items
Artist’s Roll in the wild on the slopes of Mauna Loa

Grows: Lowlights, Loss & Lessons

This was a bit of a theme of the year for me, unforeseen challenges, grieving, letting go, hanging in there, starting again. It was not the easiest year for me emotionally, and I know I’m not alone in this. It was overall a beautiful, wonderful year and I don’t want to complain, but also want to be honest and authentic about my experience and not ignore the difficult parts.

  • Wars in Ukraine and Gaza are shaking our world, sending refugees and trauma. Save the children, call for a ceasefire, peace on earth.
  • My Great Aunt Kathie, with whom I was not especially close but who was dearly beloved in my family and was my Tutu’s last living sibling, passed away this year
  • A studio where I teach suddenly lost a dear custodian, Guiseppe, with whom I often chatted and whose family is left bereft
  • 3 beloved family dogs passed
  • One of my aunts was diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatment
  • I had my own health scare and had to be treated for Hemorrhoids, a much more common condition than I realized
  • Our bathroom flooding repairs took all year
  • Challenges and goals that I did not complete as intended: Inktober52 (3/52 drawings), Nikolais/Louis reading and explorations, coaching client acquisition, business card distribution, sample sessions, content creation and networking at the level I intended (yet)
  • Unsuccessful university teaching position application (I believe I am qualified and do love teaching in higher education, but I’m also happy to work outside of the system)
  • Did not publish Somatics and Ballet or other academic articles to blog (yet)
  • Did not participate in a dance research conference but would like to in the future
  • Zoom video recording problem which created difficulties for my video workflow and beyond, technical issues aplenty
  • Very slow/delayed on monthly, quarterly reflection, still haven’t broken down expenses categories for budgeting, paying taxes and recordkeeping very stressful, need a better system for this
  • Did not take steps towards getting my German Drivers License
2023 Annual Collections Journal Flipthrough and 2024 Migration part 1 on YouTube

Intentional Habits & Practices

In service to my overarching long-term goals, I had announced twenty-three focus areas or more regular habits/practices. This was playfully inspired by JashiiCorrin on YouTube, with a Bullet Journal spread to declare and track. For each of the 23 chosen actions, I meant to make at least 23 contributions, and in this way consistently support of my major goals and most valued priorities.

My Twenty-Three 23’s in 2023 Bullet Journal Spread at the beginning of the year

23 Twenty-Threes in 2023

I met quite a few of my 23 targets, and missed a bunch as well…

Here are the practices I prioritized:
  • Practice Yoga – as this is meant to be a daily ritual, I practiced yoga many more than 23 times, rather 318 sessions and it continues to be there exactly when and how I need it
  • Meditate – 299 sessions
  • Gratitude & Abundance – 365 days
  • Morning Pages – 189 entries
  • Classes Taught – 417 including online, in-studio, and at a new school location!
  • Bullet Journal Spreads – at least 104, including annual collections, monthly and weekly spreads, and quarterly reflections, plus special events and trips
  • Books Read – I actually enjoyed reading 35 books and I’m very happy with this. My goal for reading is not maximum consumption, but maximum appreciation of the benefits of reading books and a balance of pleasure and growth. Diversity in topics and genres as well as turning to reading material that is just for the fun of it. When it comes to nonfiction, I tend to read slowly, take a lot of notes, and try to integrate what I learn into my life as I go. Currently I plan to record and share what were my favorite books and other media of 2023, to come…
  • Send Email Newsletters – 45, a top priority is to stay in touch with my inner circle of students, clients, and likeminded creatives
  • Write Articles – 14, less than desired, partly also do to technical snafus with video publishing process, also just allowed myself to get derailed by life stuff
  • Videos Published – 17, much lower than I expected due to unforseen technical difficulties and other circumstances
  • Dance Improvisation – several times per week, 52+
  • Choreography – 19, very much supported by participating in Alphabet Superset
  • Artist’s Dates – weekly, about 52
  • Physical Therapy – about twice weekly, 52+
Non-Priorities / Did not meet objective
  • Letters Sent – 13 (I love pen-palling but struggle to get out cards and letters as I wish to do)
  • Podcasts Published – 4, though I did reach episode 100! Decided to let this take a back burner to other content types this year as I took on new roles in other areas
  • Drawings – 3, also decided to let Inktober52 go
  • Poems – 11, kept my practice going
  • Music Practice – stopped tracking
  • Micro Workout – stopped tracking
  • (Not tracking Student or Client numbers or Income here)
My cousin’s child, cousin, and Ela in the park during their visit

Key 2023 Themes for Me

Theme 1: Family

I most cherish special times with family this year, mine and Ela’s. So grateful to be able to travel to be with my parents, and that a couple of my cousins could come to Europe, meeting us in the Netherlands or at home in Cologne. Got to spend quality time with a couple of my cousins’ delightful growing children and I treasure the memories.

But possibly our family’s biggest news of the year is the birth of Ela’s sister’s child, baby Adem in the spring. He is absolutely the best and we’re eating him up. Not sharing photos of him online, so you will have to imagine his wide, curious eyes, huge cheeks, and dear smile!

Theme 2: Creative Chosen Challenges

Hosting and participating in challenges and workshops was definitely a highlight of 2023. I hosted a few challenges, namely Get Down Daily, Ignite the Spark of Creativity, and two new workshops, International Women’s Day Yoga and the Transitions and Translations choreography workshop at my home studio, West Hawai’i Dance Academy!

I gladly participated in A Year of Planning, Blog Your Purpose (also with Judith Peters!), Self-Care September, and the ongoing Alphabet Superset challenge with Campbell Walker, aka Struthless.

Stepping into creating micro video choreographies on TikTok for the Alphabet Superset, completed first half in 2023, to be continued in 2024…

Theme 3: Experiencing Arts & Culture

I was blessed with a wealth of special concerts, performances, galleries and museums, travel adventures, new sports and more! Planning to pass along recommendations for my favorite reads, viewing, and events in an upcoming blog.

My 3 Favorite Blog Articles of the Year

Of my writings this year, I’d like to recommend a few that I think are particularly valuable in retrospect:

  • At this time of year and anytime, my Annual Refresh, Reflection, Clearing and Planning Process Blog is a great way to get ideas to add to or refine to your own refreshing reflections and powerful planning
  • As I shared, creative challenges were a big highlight of my year, if you’re wanting to see how they could support your goals as well, my Chosen Challenges Blog is here
  • Storytelling, whether in-person, on video, or written was everywhere in 2023 and I was working to become a better nonfiction writer (it’s ongoing), through Camp Memoir and readings, which I reflected on in Writing True Stories to Reflect & Connect

My Goals for 2024

My big-picture, long-term goals haven’t changed this year, but I will be continuing to pursue them in patient, persistent, and strategic ways. I’ve also chosen 24 24’s for 2024 and will be sharing these intended actions and how I’m tracking and supporting them in the future.

Having already declared a Word of the Year in this article, next up will be jumping into action and creating systems to support the journey of the coming year. Glad to be on this journey together!

A little birdy told me we are going to fly in 2024!

Questions for Reflection

  • How do you reflect on the year past?
  • What goals and intentions do you have for 2024?
  • How can I support you in going after your dreams this year?

Resources for Further Exploration

I’ve got oodles more free resources for you here on the blog, on the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel, on social media and live! The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, here, on social media, online or in-person!

Blog article-wise, here are some others you might find interesting:

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.

Quantum Leaping in 2024 – Word / Intention of the Year

Twenty twenty-four

quantum leaps in store

into creativity

love and joy galore

Blythe’s word / stand / intention Bullet Journal Spread for 2024: Leap!

Courage to Jump (and Fall) Creates Possibility to Fly

2024 is a leap year and both the dynamic term “leap year” and idea of a whole additional juicy day in the year during which to experience and accomplish things inspired me to choose LEAP as my year’s stand or intention.

As a dancer, it’s an apt analogy, though I no longer physically leap quite like I once did. Courageously following my heart regardless of fear has become my personal practice. Choosing a guiding word or phrase each year has also been a part of my intention-setting process since 2015, thanks to my friend Liz, and I also shared about my 2023 Word and intentions on Instagram, YouTube, and here on the blog.

As 2023 came to an end, I circled in and landed on Leap as my word for the coming year. Through contemplation and free-association, all sorts of connections arose. I thought of the flying creatures I love such as birds and butterflies, the nurturance and training in the nest and transformation in the chrysalis that then make taking to the sky possible, after a first courageous step into the unknown.

Skies and celestial imagery, stars and our sun, the moon and planets, wind and weather patterns all came to mind. Mind, intuition and spirit got to work forging connections and planting seeds for future creation. I considered how this word could connect to and fuel my projects, goals, short- and long-term vision. What leaps do I want to take this year? How do I want to help others to take their own quantum leaps?

Short video on YouTube sharing my Word & Poem for 2024

Alignment with Purpose, Vision, Mission, Values

Being able to take such leaps has to do with Freedom, one of my core values which is deeply connected to my Purpose of Joy, Essence of Buoyant (!), Creative, Curious, Love, & Leader, my Mission to inspire, equip, and liberate, Vision to support my community to live extraordinary lives through coaching, dance and mindful movement education… even my Artist’s Prayer includes “loving my neighbors, helping them to fly as birds!”

None of us is free until we are all free, and my work includes an intersectional commitment to emancipation for all.

For me personally to take leaps of faith and freedom, I will keep exercising and trusting my voice, expressing my message, and engaging in supports and challenges that help me do so. Empowering and uplifting myself and others starts within and then moves out into the world.

My role as a Bliss Catalyst and Quantum Leap Launcher is to assist others in navigating their own courageous moves, whether they be artistic, athletic, professional, or personal.

Staying Present to Our Intentions

Staying grounded in this intention informs my attitude and choices throughout the year and helps me get oriented again when I get lost in the circumstances of everyday life, from mundane details to sudden crises or worldwide drama.

Writing out my word and poem in my Bullet Journal and collaging imagery means I have positive associations with it, will interact with it daily and be reminded or where I’m coming from in 2024. This way it can influence my decisions and actions and how I influence others.

This specific approach appeals to and motivates me, but this will take a different shape for each individual person and process.

Journal spread with collected quotes, poems, experiences of synchronicity so far

Finding Luck and Synchronicity

Choosing a theme, intention, or word for the year also provides a connecting thread for all of my experiences, influences, and resources. My intuition and awareness are on alert for helpful inputs and inspirations. In my daily reading and media consumption, synchronicity has already started popping up all over in the books, poems, articles, conversations, artworks, and experiences in nature I encounter. A few of these are captured in the photo above, and I’ll keep collecting them in my Bullet Journal, music and video playlists, and second brain as the year continues.

May your year also be blessed with support for taking leaps of faith into your wildest dreams!

Questions for Reflection

  • What is your Word(s) of the Year?
  • Which small action(s) will you take today to embody it?
  • How will you return to your intention when life inevitably carries you away?

Resources for Further Exploration

Autumn Equinox Magic – Rituals to Romance the Transition from Summer to Fall

Acknowledging the subtle and dramatic changes from season-to-season is one of the ways I like to celebrate life. Seasonal rituals help me celebrate each transition, acknowledge how I’ve learned and grown and what it’s time to let go. Today is the day before the autumn equinox if you’re here in real time, a great time to start your ritual, or you can take inspiration anytime.

September in Cologne sees the earliest leaves changing from green to yellow, the dry crunch underfoot, nuts and berries aplenty even in the heart of the city. Outside my door hazelnuts are falling onto the cobblestones, cars rolling over pop them open and the pigeons gorge themselves.

Colorful leaves are just coming on the scene in Cologne

How we each best enjoy the distinct times of year is personal. I’m sharing some rituals I find especially meaningful and enjoyable around the time of the Fall or Autumnal Equinox. This designates the point in the year (once in fall, once in spring) where day and night are of equal length, in this case the official transition into the cooler part of the year in the northern hemisphere. For academics and others, fall can feel like another new year, a time of launching projects and ideas, to return to our purpose refreshed after summer frolicking.

I invite you to craft your own ideal celebration and let me know how you get festive whether simple or elaborate, solo or with others.

Summer-to-Autumn Menu

Here I’ll provide just a few examples of practices that you might like to incorporate into your own seasonal ritual or everyday life.

I also like to create a fall/seasonal Bucket List, Reading list, collection of Film, Show. Music, Media favorites and the like, but will leave such goodies for a future article.

Some places to look depending on your time or particular Equinox interests:

  • Nature – go for a walk or be outdoors
  • Yoga & Mindful Movement – choose a more strenuous or relaxing practice depending on what you need and feels good
  • Breath & Mantra – great ways to ground and be present
  • Poetry & Inspiring Reading – read or listen to favorite seasonal poems or what suits the mood
  • Music – play or sing a tune, put on a track or playlist to set the tone
  • Meditation & Quiet – take some time to go inward
  • Reflection & Journaling – gratitude, venting, affirmations, visioning, planning, memory keeping, mood boards…
  • Consider supportive Therapy, Coaching, and/or courses for a fresh new season
  • Altar – crystals, amulets, art, ancestors, guides, objects, incense, oils, candles, aromatherapy (sometimes I share images of my altar, journals, inspiration, studios and creative spaces on Instagram)
  • Ephemera & Decor – collage, journaling, household decor, party accents, correspondence, creativity
  • Cleaning, Decluttering & Organizing – take small steps toward a cozy and comfortable living space
  • Cooking, Baking, Food & Eating – for me, it’s eating seasonal ingredients and dishes, cooking comfort foods, baking easy muffins, cookies, and treats
  • Creativity – setting up seasonal projects, refocusing for the next period, planning in fun and play for my Artist Child, outlets for my mature artistic voice, and enchanting offerings for my students and clients
  • Any other rituals of your choosing, or just take a nap and rest up for a new season!

Equinox / Fall Yoga Practice Ideas

As the hours of daylight grow fewer, it is a great time to shift our yoga practice to more restful, restorative, and yin practices, releasing some of summer’s high energy and intensity and nurturing the body and soul and aiming for balance.

Fall Forest Savasana is a slow and low floor practice that brings outdoors in
Be Grounded Like Earth as a nice standalone or part of the Magic Within You
Autumn Tree Pose Yoga embodies gentle stability and balance

Any of the practices from my Yoga ReTREAT 5-day virtual retreat would also be lovely part of a summer-to-autumn equinox ritual or regular morning routine. My whole library of recorded yoga practices is available on the Yogalicious playlist on YouTube.

Fall Deep Breathing

You may with to do a breath practice such as my Autumn Release Lion Breath Yoga:

Autumn Release Lion’s Breath Pranayama is a great way to destress and let go

Check out my Beautiful Breathing Yoga Pranayama playlist with a growing collection of breathwork practices to relax, balance, and energize.

Autumn Equinox Meditations

Get present to a new season with a delicious mediation:

Autumn Equinox Meditation involves a variety of senses to get you in the spirit
Get Grounded Stabilizing Meditation

Or do a relaxing Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest practice like this one:

Fall Poetry Faves

Oh I love to swoon to the poetry of autumn as well as to inspirational readings of a spiritual, nonfiction, or fiction variety. Here are a few Fall Poetry Faves and I’m always collecting new poems and songs that move me.

A few Fall Poetry Faves from 2020, still classics

Fanciful Fall Dancing

Dancing in nature, around a fire, or anywhere is also a great way to let go of stagnant energy and the past, be present, and move into the future.

Autumn Leaves Creative Port de Bras is a playful way to embody the change of seasons
My Falling Leaves Adage is a slow ballet choreography swirling with romance

For more dancing fun, my Ballet Barre, Ballet Centre, Wonderful Dance Warmup, and Ballet Conditioning Playlists on YouTube have many exercises and explorations to keep you moving joyfully in all seasons.

Fall Writing & Creativity

You can write to remember, refer to, and keep, to let go of, burn, or destroy, or even to share! Creative writing can serve many purposes in your Equinox ritual or any transition of life. Some of my favorite ways to use writing in my practice are in my Reflective practice through journaling blog article.

This is also a great time of year to focus on gratitude and blessings, and I like to keep gratitude and abundance logs in digital and analog forms.

If you really want to go for it with your writing this season,

October is Preptober or an opportunity to prepare for a writing challenge such as November’s National Novel Writing Month, which I have previously written about in my Let’s Write and Writing True Stories to Reflect and Connect blog articles. Or take on a different type of creative Challenge of your choosing, such as those I share in my Charming Chosen Challenges and Ignite the Spark of Creativity articles. My current creative challenge is participating in the the Alphabet Superset, for which just published my video for “C” and having a blast with it!

Questions for Reflection

  • How do you mark the change of seasons?
  • Which celebrations are important to you? How do you make them festive?
  • What are you grateful for?
  • How do you show your acknowledgement and thanks?
  • What do you need to let go of to embrace the next chapter in your life?
  • In what ways will your rest and practice self-care in the darker months?

Resources for Exploration

Thank you for reading, I am glad you are here and I look forward to hearing about your own favorite fall rituals and traditions!

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education

DISCLAIMER: A Blythe Coach recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.

Creative Next Steps: Alphabet Superset Challenge – My Entrée to TikTok Dance (or whatever media you so choose)

The time is ripe for a new creative challenge, and one crossed my path just recently that I’m excited to jump into, Struthless’ “Alphabet Superset” Challenge!

Encompassing 26 weeks of letter inspiration plus breaks, and lots of structures of support for all artists and creators regardless of medium or experience level, it’s shaping up to be an inspirational and rampantly productive time.

All are welcome to the burgeoning supportive community and participation is free.

Here is Struthless’ original invitation video to introduce the project:

Alphabet Superset Challenge invitation video here

How the Program Works

In the words of Struthless, “You probably want to know what you’re getting yourself into! For a summary of the project, check out this Overview.

For a breakdown of what you’ll be doing, have a read of How it Works.

This will let you know what to do next.”

A-Week begins on Monday the 4th of September, and making art together in real time is going to be powerful, but you can also jump in anytime.

Create whatever sort of alphabet challenge you like and Struthless will provide helpful resources to narrow your focus and generate juicy parameters for prolific creativity.

This challenge is a fairly big commitment, so if it is for you I look forward to seeing what you get up to, but if you’d prefer a shorter-term but still concentrated creative challenge, there are a few ideas below under Resources for further Exploration.

I also announced my intention to do the Superset in this video on Instagram.

My Personal Challenge

The variety of projects I’ve seen folks taking on so far is astounding! That said, it’s good for each project to have a tight focus to create lots of ideas and ultimately a cohesive body of work. A range of examples is also provided in the worksheets provided when you join the challenge.

Here’s what the details are shaping up to look like for me, with the assistance of the worksheets in the program and my current curiosity:

  • 10-20 Second Weekly Small Space Video Micro-Choreographies
  • Shared to TikTok (@blythelydancing), IG and/or Facebook, YouTube (all @ablythecoach)

Sharing to social media for the purposes of the Alphabet Superset challenge, I have no expectations or intention of trying to go “viral.” This goal is not concerned with metrics of social media performance or external “success”, but in order to have a playful form of accountability and build community with other creators within the project.

It’s going to be me, movement, my iPhone, music, & TikTok/IG in my personal project

Purpose of Participation

Although dance is my specialty, this format is outside of my comfort zone, so I wanted to use the motivation and shared risk-taking joie de vivre to propel me to continue to be a learner in the form, along with my students. Full disclosure: I’ve avoided participating in TikTok until now, so this will be my first contribution to the platform!

I intend to explore what’s possible with the vertical/portrait smart phone video orientation, as well as size-, location-, and viewpoint-specific choreography, and popular music. Also here to encourage others to dance, move, and create in their own way!

The whole challenge will help keep my knowledge of today’s dances and dance students up-to-date, while also refining my own artistic voice.

Created a collection in my Bullet Journal to plot, plan, brainstorm, celebrate

Structures for Success

Here’s where participating in a structured creative challenge is full of juicy potential! Struthless has provided some really fun and helpful worksheets for those who join the free challenge, so I definitely recommend signing up and using those if it piques your interest.

In addition, I am also using:

  • A Bullet Journal and Dry-Erase Board, a Morning Pages Notebook, stationery supplies
  • A variety of settings to inspire movement
  • Real-Life Community
  • Online Community (IG, TT, Email Newsletter subscribers)

Questions for Reflection

  • In what media do you create or wish to?
  • Will you join me in giving the Alphabet Superset or another creative challenge a go?
  • What structures of support do you need to help you succeed at the challenge?

Resources for further Exploration

Charming Chosen Challenges – creative ways to try out or jumpstart a habit
Creative Challenges are a great way to experience prolific artistic output
Haiku Poetry Challenge 2021- What I learned writing 365 Poems in a year
What I learned from writing a daily Haiku poem in 2021
Writing True Stories to Reflect and Connect – Camp NaNoWriMo Recap
My experience writing memoir stories for Camp NaNoWriMo 2023
Let’s Write! Camp NaNoWriMo & Creative Structure
Blog announcement of my participation in Camp NaNoWriMo July 2023
5 Ways to Get Down Daily – how to build a habit of creative dance
Get Down Daily Dance Challenge is an online creativity challenge

Feel free to reach out to me via email or on Instagram​ @ablythecoac​​h​, I’d love to hear what you’re creating and I’m grateful we’re connected.

Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
she/her or they/them
A Blythe Coach: ablythecoach.com @ablythecoach

helping multi-passionate creatives

dance through their difficulties

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