Happy new year [FIRST NAME GOES HERE]! (My last words 🤫)
Published 3 months ago • 3 min read
2-minute read
Dear Reader,
Writing this love letter to you from my phone, currently bumping along on a train to Newton Abbot, west England 🚂 destination: Vipassana retreat.
I’ve been to a few retreats in my time, but this one feels different… because my husband’s coming with me.
*I wanted to add a picture of his regret-filled face here, but poor internet connection is doing him a favor, please imagine it yourself.*
And let me tell you, he’s diving straight into the deep end:
7 days of:
No talking (aka "Noble Silence", he's gonna love this one 😅)
No reading, writing, or scrolling (he's gonna hate this one 😂)
No electronics (we'll lock the phones up, but my family has a number to contact in case of emergency)
2 simple vegetarian meals per day 🥦
No scented toiletries
*Very* early morning and something like 10 hours of silent meditation per day (exact schedule to be discovered)
Not exactly your “spa and matcha cocumber lattes” kind of retreat. 🍵
Vipassana is an ancient tradition rooted in Buddhism and coming from India, over 2,500 years old. The word "Vipassana" means "to see things as they really are".
The tricky part is that very often "things as they really are" can often feel like sh*t.
It’s intense.
The point is not to relax and "escape reality", it's to stare right at it…for 10 hours a day…with back pain and pins and needles in your legs (because your mind nor your body aren't used to be still sitting for so long). 🧘♀️
Summary: You sit. You breathe. Your whole body hurts. You stare at your emotional damage in the eyes. You resist the urge to scream. Repeat. For 10 hours. For 7 days.
I went to my first Vipassana three years ago, dragging along a delightful mix of chronic pain, burnout, anger, and some fun eating disorder leftover.
It was one of the hardest, most transformative experiences of my life. I left feeling a different person.
I am not sure which kind of luggage I bring with me this time, but I'll discover it soon 😬 So naturally, I’m curious (and 100% scared 😅) to see who I’ll be in 7 days.
If you’re curious about Vipassana (or just like the idea of sitting with me on the other side of this), I’m hosting another FREE Mindfulness Circle on Wednesday 15/01 at 8AM UK Time.
We can meditate together, and I’ll share more about what this whole “silent thingy” is like once I’m back in civilization.
If nothing else, you’ll hear if my husband survived the experience and if he filed for divorce yet 😅
I haven't gone through a "formal" 2024 reflection yet, I plan on doing it once I am over with the silence marathon. If you haven't either, a reminder to grab your FREE workbook here.
🎄🎁 FREE Year's Reflection Workbook
For the second year, I’m sharing a little workbook 📝✨ to help you reflect on the past year and dream about the year ahead.
I designed it to help you uncover patterns, celebrate growth 🎉, and create the direction for the upcoming year.
What’s Inside:
The workbook is divided into two parts:
1️⃣ Looking Back: Take a moment to review, learn from, and honor the year you’re leaving behind. 🌟
2️⃣ Looking Ahead: Dream big, plan thoughtfully, and prepare to make the most of what’s to come. 🌈
Setting the Scene:
Print it down and grab a pen or your tablet (like me). ✍️📱
Find a quiet, cozy spot where you won’t be interrupted for about 30 minutes. 🕰️
Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and let go of any expectations. 😌
Approach this with an open and honest mind, this is your time to reflect and dream. 🌟
Pro Tip: Make it fun! 🎉 Host a reflection party with friends where everyone fills out their workbooks together. 🥂🖋️
When you’re ready, take a deep breath. Let’s begin. ✨
P.S. You're reading this because you signed up for a free event, download, or newsletter with me, Maria Chietera, and now you're on the list for my regular letter. I know your time is valuable, and your inbox is packed (same here), so I appreciate you reading this newsletter.
