January is the earliest I can start seeds for the growing season. The warmth of the spring and summer months seems ages away, especially since it’s snowing outside. It feels like so much can happen and change in just a few short months. Yet the idea of starting a few pepper plants growing, or maybe a tomato plant, just gives me so much optimism. Starting these seeds and nurturing the seedlings makes me feel like I have a little control over an illusive thing – time.
At the end of the year my midwifery school closed. With the closure of Birthwise, the midwifery world suffered a tremendous loss. And with that closure, my midwifery journey gained a few bumps and turns in the road. I am excited to continue on my midwifery journey at the Midwives College of Utah this May. Part of me enjoys having a moment of rest, but a much larger part of me is eager to continue on. “Midwife by 40!” is my mantra (although, what is age but just a number?). I know I’ll be filling these months with independent study and self care.
Perhaps it started with the pandemic, or maybe sometime while I juggled jobs and kids, but I realized I stopped making new year’s resolutions. I do make goals and have hopes of how I’d like to year to turn out. In 2022 I’m looking forward to grow as a practitioner, and also as a midwife. I plan on spending the few months I’m out of school finishing my yoga teacher training and, consequently, decolonizing my yoga teacher training. I also want to work on deepening my herbal knowledge. I have new running shoes to break in, and yarn to knit. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to taking a summer vacation with my kids; planning this gives me great joy during these dark winter months.
As I move towards a collective goal to slow down and live joyfully, I’m also working on a practice of setting my intentions daily. This year, I am filled with so much optimism about having a satisfying and joyful year. I wish a joyful and prosperous 2022 to all of the families I serve!