My Year of Yes

2022 has been a whirlwind, and by that I mean the best kind of whirlwind. I'm 38, and I feel like I'm finally stepping into who I am.

A few days before Christmas last year, I got asked to sub my first studio class at YAM. My mom and I were out shopping at Biltmore Park, and my teacher (truly, that word is not the exact right word, but for sake of brevity, I'll use it) texted me to ask if I could sub a class that evening. I had not yet graduated from my 200, but they couldn't find anyone else to sub, and I was already in the payroll system from having been working at the front desk. She had confidence in me that I could do it, and even though in that moment, I didn't have that same confidence in myself, I knew I had to do it.

Saying yes to subbing that night led to a whole series of yeses. There were more classes I agreed to sub before graduation. There were yeses to my own classes and pop ups on the schedule. Yes to teaching at the park and Jump Off Rock. Yes to starting a 300 teacher training program. Yes to working with private clients. Yes to leading a workshop.

This was my year of yes.

Saying yes to myself and to expanding beyond the ways I try to play small and make excuses has come with growing pains. It has been an adjustment to manage parenting and teaching. There have been plenty of weekends throughout the year when I have hardly been at home because of teaching and working at the front desk, and I'm so grateful to have a husband who doesn't see that as an inconvenience. He doesn't see any of this as babysitting, but his shared responsibility. Not everyone has a partner with that perspective and willingness. My family has supported me in this journey, and I'm so thankful for it.

On the last day of the year, I'll be holding a two hour long workshop on intention setting. This workshop is a completion project for my 300 hour teacher training, and from the moment back in July that my teacher for the program introduced the concept of this workshop, I knew that I wanted to use the theme of intention setting. I can't explain why, but it just resonated, so that's what you'll find me sharing this New Year's Eve.

So many changes in one year. So many yeses where I lept before I looked. This is not my typical mode of operation. I usually analyze and plan and seek input from as many sources as I can. I wait for permission. But this year has slowly unraveled that pattern.

2022, I will forever be grateful. Grateful for all of the experiences gained. Grateful for my teachers and fellow students. Grateful to the students who come to my classes. Grateful to my family and their willingness to grow alongside me.

I'm ending the year with a grateful heart and hands softly open to receive whatever 2023 has to bring.