When we, the co-founders of 360 Living, came together a few years ago to bring an idea to life, we weren't exactly sure what it would bring or where exactly it would go. We launched into action anyway, progress being better than perfection, with the creation of the 360 Living guide as a resource for reflecting on and intentionally improving each main area of life. And then, as lives sometimes do, our own got busy.
So now, after a period of hibernation following its launch, we're excited to pick up on the message and the mission laid out for 360 Living, to help people in the day-to-day adventure of living, and living well.
With this new beginning, or perhaps more precisely this continuation, we're excited to bring you more regular updates, inspiration, reflections, and resources in alignment with the 360 Living guide and principles.
And because we also recognize the value of human creation, input, and perspective, we'll also share from a personal place in some cases. We'd love for this publication to grow as a blend of reliable, objective information and diverse individual sharing, each element building on and supporting the other to create a fullness of experience with each read, each dive in.
So to kick things off, we're very glad to showcase some thoughts and a recommended resource for the new year (yes, still new...think about it, we're not even 1/12th of the way in!).
Whatever your feelings toward the traditional practices and rituals that come with this time of year, we hope this can be of use to you as a support for reflection and intention planning in 2022. And perhaps as this post comes partway into January, the ideas below can serve you without any feeling of heaviness or pressure or obsession over perfection. Because while it's still "that time of year," there is no countdown hanging over your head to start 2022 in a state of stress over holding fast to your resolutions.
The idea here is more to take a moment to look back, around, and forward, to what's been happening and what you would like to happen. And not just that, but also what you have the capacity to make happen. A chance to start fresh not just when the clock strikes midnight on the eve of a new year, but each day, hour, and minute. To pivot at will, and direct our energy toward what matters, and what we long to see, feel, and do.
To do that, a resource we'd like to recommend is the Year Compass. It's a simple, intentional set of questions and prompts to get you rolling in a positive direction of your choosing. The Year Compass does take awhile to fill out entirely (in personal experience, about 2 hours), so be sure to give yourself proper time and space for it.
1. Set aside distractions (airplane mode does wonders) and create an environment that makes you feel both calm and attentive to the task at hand. Whether that's lighting a candle, pouring yourself a hot beverage, turning on some music, or anything else that creates the right setting for you for this task.
2. Consider inviting a friend (or several) to do the Year Compass. It can be a gift to both yourself and the people you care for, to share this nourishing personal exercise, and you may even find yourself an accountability partner for the intentions you set in the process.
3. Keep the Year Compass handy for yourself beyond its completion (both the actual booklet and its contents). As much value as there is to reflecting and setting goals and intentions, we are all also human, and even the things we define as priorities can sometimes fall by the wayside if they're not visible or somehow built into our lives. So think about ways to keep the Year Compass and its contents present for you: a weekly reminder in your agenda, printing a copy to keep on the mantle or somewhere else highly visible, or perhaps a regular check-in with others who have done the Year Compass.
This last tip has been a helpful support for me, to share regular updates among friends, as we all care about our own progress, as well as each others', and can provide encouragement, empathy, and accountability to stay the course even when hiccups inevitably arise.
Aside from these simple tips, all that's left to do is to dive into the Year Compass for yourself! And if you do decide to engage in this process (we hope you do), don't hesitate to share your experience here, and any other tips for completing it and honoring it afterward.
We look forward to discovering and sharing more great resources like the Year Compass, which can be highly complementary to the reflection and engagement exercises in 360 Living as well.
So, enjoy the exercise, and may we all hold fast to our intentions & priorities throughout the year, right up until it's time to look back on this one.
With warmth,
Jacquelyn
Co-founder, 360 Living
