In addition to June bringing PRIDE Month and a handful of notable holidays, it is also my birthday month and I keep the celebration going as long as I can!

Naturally there were pre-, during-, and post-birthday festivities, much fabulous queerness, joyful mindful movement, and adventures.

Furthermore, June brings the Summer Solstice and the midpoint of the year, a wonderful time to reflect on the first six months, refresh, and recommit to our goals.

Jazzy June

On the heels of so much travel in May, for me June was packed with end-of-school year work, tasks, and also festivity, as well as a pre-birthday getaway to Amsterdam.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have had so much quality time with family in quarter 2 and the first half of 2024 and very much want to keep that going as well as exploring new places.

Bullet Journaling & Planning

Because of its role in my creative process, Bullet Journaling has become a part of my YouTube content, so I’m continuing to provide updates on life as recorded in my notebooks.

In June I continued to update my Monthly, Weekly, and Daily logs and Annual Collections and set up my July and August pages.

The below YouTube Video is a flip-through of June 2024 and the transition into July in my Seasonal Bullet Journal books, with some commentary and thoughts along the way.

Teaching & Coaching

With June came the end of the school year in Cologne and classes at such locations, though studio and online courses continue in most cases into the summer, with varied breaks. In quarter two I taught and coached a bit less than in quarter one, which makes since given how much more travel I enjoyed. Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga are especially enjoyable in summer.

Writing & Publishing Articles

Reflection and completion very much continuing to be major themes in my thinking and writing, in June I published three articles to the blog, for a total of 6 in Q2 and 12 in the first half of the year:

• Happy PRIDE Month! Celebrating Diversity, Identity & Justice – Leaping Out of the Closet (again and again) where I wished a happy PRIDE Month to my lovely LGBTQIA2S+ community and precious allies and shared about my own experiences as my identity unfolds.
• April was about Celebrating Spring, Dance Week, Travel Preparations & California Dreaming – 2024 Month 4 Review in which preparations intensified for carryon-only trip home to the US, culminating in flights to San Diego, visiting with family and touristing there.
• Memories of a May Made of Adventures in California, Home in Hawai’i, dancing through jetlag back to Germany – 2024 Month 5 Review Blog Article

Filming & Sharing Videos

I published three videos to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in June and have total numbers for the quarter and year so far below under “Twenty-Four 24s in 2024”:

Connecting through Email & Social Media

I sent three weekly Email Newsletters in June, 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!

Creative Challenges

I was pleased during the first half of the year to participate in and host a few challenges and workshops including celebrating Eating Disorders Awareness Week, International Dance Day and Week, and Women’s History Month/International Women’s Day.

Alphabet Superset

Along with various challenges I’m hosting and participating in this year, this one has been longer-term and ongoing. I ALMOST completed the Alphabet Superset Challenge in Quarter 2 with just the letter “Z” remaining, which I published in early July.

Campbell Walker, aka Struthless, launched the creative challenge in 2023, and in order to cover one per week with 26 letters in the English Alphabet, it has continued well into 2024. For many of the participants of whom I am aware, including Walker himself, the challenge is still in progress.

Overall a valuable and interesting project, there are a number of lessons learned that I will also share in another blog article soon.

In all, I published 2 micro video choreos to TikTok and Instagram in June:

• “X” on TikTok back at Fort X to “Intro” by xx
• “Y” on TikTok practicing yoga yonder in Amsterdam

First Half Favorites

My most memorable experiences in the first six months of 2024 have included explorations near and far and creative challenges spearheaded by myself and others.

Family, Friends, Making Memories & Celebrations

Time with our stinking adorable nephew (including his first birthday party this spring), with family and friends who live in Cologne, on the Big Island and in San Diego, and folks passing through town on their travels brought so much joy. Art gallery openings, annual festivals such as Koeln Karneval, great food and drink all brought bubble to my life in the first half of the year.

Expanded Teaching & Coaching

New offerings, hours, locations, and clientele–while keeping my ideal schedule and activities in mind.

Finding my voice and speaking truth through teaching, coaching, writing. Practicing a commitment to transparency while sharing from a place of growth and healing. This is an ongoing area of growth that will carry forward into the remainder of the year and beyond.

Creating work about love and joy, beauty, yumminess and savoring, play and creativity, mindfulness, and self-care.

Tai Chi to Tango

Beyond my standard favorite practices of dance, yoga, meditation, reading, reflection and so forth, always trying out new things outside my comfort zone.

Have been studying Tango at Tanzschule Tanzraum (for whom I also teach ballet) since January and participated in Qigong and Tai Chi practices while at home. Learning to flow and to lead in different ways.

I was admitted to the Artist’s Guild/Kunstler Sozialkasse as a freelance dance teaching artist, also granting me access to insurance and other benefits.

Also my girlfriend Ela completed her second brown belt exam in karate, congratulations to her!

Travel & Adventures

Local and international, lucky to have lots of laughs, beloved memories and new experiences!

Q1 adventures included Dance and Art in Bonn (“Twelve Ton Rose” below under Media: Live Performances), and enjoying the outdoors and Castles over Easter in Bavaria.

Q2 Family & Touristing in California & Hawai’i, Family and Art in Amsterdam!

Writing & Publishing

Favorite articles I published so far this year:

• Reflected on 2023 in life A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation & Growth – 2023 Reflections and in media Inspiring Inputs: 2023 Reading, Listening, Viewing & Media found supportive community in Judith Peters’ Jahresruckblog challenge
• Monthly Review blogs inspired by Judith Peters for January: January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review
• February: February was for Love, Eating Disorder Awareness, Dancing Up a Storm – 2024 Month 2 Review
• March: March was about Mindfulness, Women’s History, Moving Around- 2024 Month 3 Review, Quarter 1 Wrap-Up
• April: April was about Celebrating Spring, Dance Week, Travel Preparations & California Dreaming – 2024 Month 4 Review
• May: Memories of a May Made of Adventures in California, Home in Hawai’i, dancing through jetlag back to Germany – 2024 Month 5 Review
• Also in April, Delicious Dancey Digest for International Dance Day & National Dance Week
• And in June, Happy PRIDE Month! Celebrating Diversity, Identity & Justice – Leaping Out of the Closet (again and again), which is also related to the Yoga Visibility Challenge with Susanna Barkataki and speaking my truth as one of my quantum leaps this year

Twenty-Four 24s in 2024: 6-Month Update

As introduced in the Twenty-Four 24s in 2024 article and with a First Half update in the video above. 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.

So far I have met or exceeded 24 actions for Eleven out of my Twenty-Fours total. Wow, I’m actually impressed with myself that nearly half are already complete.

It’s not a 100% game, but I’d like to see further growth in almost every area before the end of the year. Which of my 24s will I accomplish next?

…

1. Read 📚 It’s not really important to me to read as many books as possible, just to prioritize reading–fiction, nonfiction, scriptures, poetry–in my life. Been having a blast reading this year and will share a few favorites so far below!
   • Books Read: Q1-5, Q2-12, for 17 in the first half of the year and on track to exceed 24 this year.
2. Write ✏️ Daily Logs: Q1-91, Q2-90, reached 24 in week 4 and will continue indefinitely as I benefit greatly from this practice.
3. Morning Pages: Q1-50, Q2-30, I reached 24 in week 7, with 80 in the first six months putting me on track to meet or exceed my actual minimum for the year.
4. Email Newsletters: Q1-12, Q2-8, for 20 in the first 6 months and will soon reach at least 24, though my expectation is that I will publish a newsletter as close to weekly as possible, as this is the best place to receive updates about my teaching and coaching schedules, latest articles and videos released, and tons of other resources that I find useful and believe you will enjoy as well.
5. Blog Articles: Q1-6, Q2-6, for a total of 12 so far in 2024, on-track for a minimal goal of 24, though I’d like to be publishing on more of a weekly basis.
6. Poems: Q1-2, Q2-2 for 4 in 6 months, not on-track for 24 this year, but you never know and just glad to keep writing in this way in this season of my life.
7. Letters: Q1-0, Q2-11, keep going! Connecting with loved ones, whether it be live in-person, online, through calls, messages, letters and cards, it very important to me. I personally love snail mail and know that there are others in my circle who feel the same way, will continue to improve in this area.
8. Create 🎨 Videos: Q1-9, Q2-6, makes 15 in the first half, on track for my minimum goal and continuing to be an important part of my free movement and creative offerings
9. Choreography Q1-8, Q2-7 for 15 in 6 months, on-track to reach at least 24 this year, kind of a funny metric to count, since I’m always working on a variety of choreographic and dance production projects, but to count “completed” works or even works-in-progress is tricky bordering on absurd. Still it’s nice to acknowledge my creative work in this area in some way.
10. BuJo Spreads – reached 24 by February with all my annual spreads, special challenges, monthlies, and weeklies and continue to set up new pages as needed as my projects develop.
11. Podcasts – not yet this year, as my work has increased in other areas, this has been moved to a back burner.
12. Music – Practice Instrument: not so much a priority currently though I’d like to return to it.
13. Playlists: 2 each Q1 & 2 for a total of 4 in 6 months which is fine, I don’t have to create 24 but I’m glad I’m working on several at any given moment to support teaching, dancing, coaching, living
14. Practice 🧘‍♀️ Yoga: Q1-88, Q2-79, as with other daily practices, exceeded 24 sessions in week 4 and will always be an important part of my daily rituals.
15. Meditate: Q1-88, Q2-70, like with yoga and other daily rituals, had exceeded 24 sessions within the first month, but will keep going all year long.
16. Gratitude & Abundance: Q1-91, Q2-90 is every single day and passed 24 in the first month!
17. Deutsch: Q1-91, Q2-90 also every day for 6 months!
18. Physical Therapy: I don’t track exactly how many sessions anymore, just make sure to do 2 most weeks, so somewhere in week 12-24 I reached the minimum goal, but I know I’ll keep going forever to maintain my well-being.
19. Artist Dates: not really precisely counting these either. However I do indulge my artist child regularly, so I’m not going to obsess because it makes it less fun. At least weekly stamping, collaging, walks, birdwatching, bike rides, picnics, museums, adventures fill my creative cup.
20. Serve 💫 Teaching – Classes Taught: I’m not publishing all my class, student, client, session, or income numbers, but I do track these areas and can say that I’ve well exceeded 24 in this area. Indeed, I’ve expanded this school year and calendar year, increased outreach and income even with a good amount of travel in the mix.
21. Coaching Sessions: as above, not sharing student, client, session, or income numbers at this time but they are on my list of 24 actions to playfully acknowledge my goals and progress in these areas personally.
22. Connect 💕 Host & Participate in Workshops & Challenges: Q1-7, Q2-2 for 9 altogether in the first half of 2024, and I’m excited to continue to take on such artistic and learning opportunities and share my knowledge and passion.
23. Social Media Posts (IG): Q1-50 , Q2-27, blowing past the goal in the first quarter to a total of 77 in 6 months, and I also track followers/subscribers on a quarterly basis.
24. Sustain 🍀 Financial Fun (Balance Books, pull Profit, Pay Bills, manage Credit Cards, Income Projection and Tracking, Insurance, Savings, Student Loans, Investing, etc.): a weekly practice for which I completed the minimum number in week 24.

Media Musings

June and first-half-of-the year media inputs included reading, listening, and viewing entertainments:

Books & Reading

June Books Read

I love summer reading! Finished four novels in June as well as a work of nonfiction:

• Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead: A Novel (The Finlay Donovan Series Book 2) by Elle Cosimano involves murder, attempted and otherwise but still managed to be a fun romp and apparently I’m reading this series now (honorable mention, didn’t include in 6-month blog but I keep reading). I am pretty annoyed by the main character’s ignorance and bumbling poor decision-making, but the other characters are growing on my and the silly improbability is entertaining
• Divine Rivals: A Novel (Letters of Enchantment Book 1) by Rebecca Ross, which is sort of a dark/apocalyptic fantasy romance and not my usual jam but came well-recommended and was a good read: “It’s not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless.”
• My Favorite Half-Night Stand and The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (what can I say? I’m addicted to these rom-com beach reads)
• Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper, which is bound to be one of my top books of the year:

Best Reads so far in 2024

Nonfiction Books

• Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World Memoir/Nonfiction book by Christian Cooper I bought as a supportive resource for my 2024 theme and have been savoring along the way. Interesting life story, important contemporary topics, entertaining style and format!
• Rumi: New Translation of Selected Works by Rumi and Farrukh Dhondy was my daily poetry reading until I completed the book, then I started on
• Rilke: Gesammelte Werke by Rilke auf Deutsch (collected works in German) poem daily since I completed the Rumi poems

Fiction Books

• The Guest: A Novel by Emma Cline was a wild, off-the-rails, and well-written way to kick off the year in reading! Warning: very adult and potentially triggering content – Alex does drugs and has sex the whole time. Great slow-build suspense, observations on people, personalities, a slice of society.
• Good Material: A novel by Dolly Alderton, which is about the humor and madness and The Madness of going through a breakup, well-written and bittersweet but not so light. Told from the perspective of a troubled comedian for most of the story, then an interesting perspective shift as well.
• The Maid: A Novel (Molly the Maid Book 1) by Nita Prose was an excellent book recommendation for me, an unusual murder mystery, and I look forward to what is to come from this author
• In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren is an outstanding wintry “Groundhog Day-“inspired Rom-Com which introduced me to this new writing duo whose works I went on to binge in the order they’ve become available as eBooks from my library through Libby. Another favorite of theirs that I’ve read this year is The True Love Experiment (though that one is technically the sequel to The Soulmate Equation).

Blogs & Email Newsletters

• Be More With Less
• Atomic Habits, 3-2-1
• Apartment Therapy
• The Dig List

Listening Highlights

Music: Songs & Albums

A few favorite songs I’ve been listening to on repeat so far in 2024, some old, some new:

• “Shimmer Shimmer” song by Moxxy, “your new glow up soundtrack!”
• “Vacation” song by Priya Ragu, who I saw live in Cologne last year and then heard on the radio in Hawai’i in May
• “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyonce
• “Rush” song by Troye Sivan
• “Lunch” song by Billie Eilish
• “Unstoppable“” song by Sia
• “The Fame” album by Lady Gaga

Playlists

• Quantum Leaping into 2024
• Spring Sensations Dance
• Balletlicious Summertime Dance
• 2024 Summer Jams
• Alphabet Superset
• ABC Choreo Music Ideas
• Delectable Dance Conditioning

Podcasts

• Soul+Wit (unfortunately they’re taking an indefinite pause as of summer 2024)
• Trauma-Informed Future
• Unapologetic Entrepreneur
• Good Life Project
• Tarot for the Wild Soul

Favorite Viewing so far in 2024

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

Live Performances & Exhibitions

• “Twelve Ton Rose” Dance Concert, Choreography by Trisha Brown, performed by Ballet de Lorraine at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn
• “Giselle” Classical Ballet performed by West Hawai’i Dance Theatre at Kahilu Theatre on the Big Island of Hawai’i, where I enjoyed serving as Emcee
• Multi-Artist Artverwandte Photo Exhibit at Atelier Zoozmann
• Arthur’s art gallery showings
• Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, special multimedia Marina Abramovic Exhibition

Sports Events

• Haie Hockey
• The Wave Soccer
• Grand Sumo May Highlights
• Women’s and UEFA Soccer Finals

Films

My favorite movies of the first half of the year were:

• “Nimona” film
• “The Menu” film
• “Bros” film

Series

For series, my top faves from the first half of the year were:

• “Girls5eva” series
• “The Bear” series
• “The Brothers Sun” series
• “White Lotus” series
• “Poker Face” series

YouTube Channels

• Moon Medicine Yoga
• RebEarth Yoga
• Naomi Gottlieb-Miller
• Body Illumination
• Jenny Rawlings
• Qigong Meditation
• Ecofriend Lia
• Minimal Mom
• See Mindy Mom
• JashiiCorrin
• Rachelle in Theory
• Mark Your Pages
• Hay Studio
• Erin Smith
• Ballet Reign
• Use Less

Questions for Reflection

• What quantum leaps have I taken this month and quarter?
• Which possibilities are just taking shape?
• What plans are coming together for the coming month, quarter, season?
• How can I support you in taking flight this year?

Resources for Further Exploration

• Quarter One Fun Bullet Journal Reflection Video
• Quantum Leaping in 2024 Word / Intention of the Year
• Blogging My Purpose – the “Why” behind A Blythe Coach 
• Why Bother Distinguishing Your Why? 
• Care & Actualization of the Self
• Analog Journals for Creativity

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

Special events for Camp NaNoWriMo, Summer Fun, Back-to-School 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

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.

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:

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.

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!

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:

• International Women’s Day Beautiful Adaptive Adult Ballet Barre+ with A Blythe Coach Blog Article
• Twenty-Four 24’s in 2024: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style Blog Article
• February was for Love, Eating Disorder Awareness, Dancing Up a Storm – 2024 Month 2 Review Blog Article

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:

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

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?

Resources for Further Exploration

• January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review
• Quantum Leaping in 2024 Word / Intention of the Year
• Blogging My Purpose – the “Why” behind A Blythe Coach 
• Why Bother Distinguishing Your Why? 
• Analog Journals for Creativity

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

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

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.

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.

During the month 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:

• Project HEAL
• Food Body Peace
• Black Nutritionist

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?

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!

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

• Promenade in the Park for my “P” micro video choreo  
• Quick “Q” micro video choreo
• Rhine riverside “Rush” “R” micro video choreo

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:

• A Beautiful Year of Slow Creation and Growth – 2023 Reflections &
• January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review

Filming & Sharing Videos

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

https://youtu.be/j0gZiPqpb5g

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!

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)

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?

Resources for Further Exploration

• January was for Tango, Snow, Art, & Completion – 2024 Month 1 Review
• Quantum Leaping in 2024 Word / Intention of the Year
• Blogging My Purpose – the “Why” behind A Blythe Coach 
• Why Bother Distinguishing Your Why? 
• Analog Journals for Creativity

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.