Have you heard of Blue Monday?

Hello, My Friend are you feeling like you are in a slump? Honestly, me too. There's a reason for it, and it's called Blue Monday. I wrote a blog about it. You can read it here. 

I am leaning into the wintering season here. I have a new puzzle on the dining room table. The house is full of candlelight every evening.

Last week I had two book clubs in three days. Is there anything more wonderful and sober than that? One book was my pick, Three Girls From Bronzeville, written by a local Chicago author, Dawn Turner, that came to the Chicago AF book club for discussion. I brought my sister-in-law, who recommended it to me, along. We had a beautiful morning. While downtown, we stopped at a bakery, and I bought a beautiful loaf of bread.

Yesterday for lunch, I made the most decadent warm sandwich with it. You can indulge in something as simple as a weekday-work-from-home-lunch-sandwich if you take your time and use the best intention to spoil yourself with it. You take the time to get the hot toppings hot and the cold toppings cold and add all the right oils, spices, and other ingredients in all the right layers, cut diagonally, and enjoy! The sober, lush life for sure. We need simple pleasures in the thick of winter. 

My oldest daughter will be returning to school at the end of this week. We enjoyed a final hurrah by running around the city in the cold, visiting the most lux coffee shop (Ralph's inside Ralph Lauren, of course), and boutique shopping. We walked almost 7 miles around the cold city before taking the train home. I loved every minute of it (her).

I have started the 30-30-30 plan. It's basically 30 grams of protein and 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise within the first 30 minutes of waking up. You can read about it here. It reminds me of when I did 75 Hard.

The main goal for me is to regulate hormones, get daily movement, and receive morning sunlight straight to my eyeballs for my mental health, better sleep, and perimenopausal everything. This plan meets a few of those goals and so far feels good. I don't mind the cold and snow. Shoveling has been my exercise. Of course I still go to the gym, but even on days I don't, I know I've gotten a little movement and fresh air to start the day. I eat my breakfast while reading poetry, sometimes I light a morning fire. Yes, I know. Dreamy.

There were a few big wins for DTD clients last week. A previous client reached 1,000 days alcohol-free. An Insider celebrated 365 days alcohol-free. Another reached 100 days, which for a long time she thought was impossible, until it wasn't. They started like we all start. Unsure and wobbly. They all agree coaching and community were key to their success.

I have a few openings right now and would love to welcome you in. Schedule a complimentary call here to see if it's a good fit for you. If you've already had your call and want to move forward, here's a nudge to book it, because spots are limited. I only accept a very limited number of 1x1 clients at a time so I can give my best. First to sign up will be first to get started. Let's freaking go, Ladies! 

As far as my business coaching, there was also a big win. One of my business coach clients' got her first client. How exciting! I have a handful of client's that started the LIVE SKILLS portion of coach training together last week too. I am passionate about coaching support, and I love to see this multiply when my clients' become coaches and get clients too. What a beautiful ripple effect, as one client says, "all because you got sober". 

I would put that on my gravestone. I can die in peace knowing I did it and then helped others and then helped others help others. OMG. Stop, I am crying. If you are interested in becoming a coach or launching a business, I can help you with that. Learn more here. 

A big win for me this week as getting Season 2 of The Peripeteia Podcast—A Talk Show for Women launched. Listen here! Or anywhere you listen to podcasts. I have a handful of 5-star reviews on Apple. Love that! Add one if you're so inclined.

Truth be told, in launching Season 2, I have new eyes to see how sloppy I was with so many backend things as I was learning in Season 1. I am working to improve all that. I am surprised the podcast reached as many people as it did, seeing all my mistakes. I am a work in progress too, but man, at least I got started, right!!? That was a big win in itself.

When I started my podcast, a friend asked me who my dream guest was, and I said Jamie Varon. Guess what!? She's the first guest on Season 2. We recorded a long time ago, so I listened to our conversation again while puzzling last night. I was re-inspired. She lives in LA, so send all your love to her right now, as she is in the midst of devastation. I wanted this launch to be a bright spot for her and us. 

If you need a few more cures for your slump, join me tomorrow for a group connection call on the Inside (free trial here) or at In Good Spirits Bottle Shop for a Mix and Mingle Dry January panel. Join me Saturday at Chicago, N.A. Day. Every Tuesday evening is a peer support call.

Next Thursday is a LIVE Workshop on Embracing the Shadow: Using Darkness as a Catalyst for Transformation led by me. I am super excited to share this heavy metal theme inspired by Riot Fest last summer. 🤘🏼

The following Thursday, a beloved Insider is sharing her story. I was resistant and terrified to join a group or a community. My friend Kate was persistent, and I finally gave in. It was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and my sobriety. She's now one of my best friends. So forgive my persistance with you, but it's literally free to try, so why the hell not? Prices will be raising because I am not offering double what I promised when I started the offer. If you like it, get in now. If it's not for you, find out and move onto something, that is, with some knowledge and experience under your belt. Remember, it's just won an award because the community voted for it. No better testimonial than that. I love you; let's get through the slump of Blue Monday and the darkness of January together. JanYOUary. XO!