Casting Good Vibes Across 2024: A Ritual for Writers
An end-of-the-year ritual that has you communing with your future self
I normally send new monthly rituals on the 30th, but thought I’d give readers a few days prep time on this one. Also, I recently realized February’s ritual will need to go out before the 30th. :-)
December’s writing ritual is spread out over three days, but can be compressed into one. Also, this ritual can be adapted for any creatives living towards their future selves with intentionality.
Here’s day-by-day instructions for an end-of-the-year ritual.
December 30
If you can make it out to a place where greeting cards are sold, select one for yourself—perhaps one that features a meaningful quote or image. Allow yourself to be led to the right one. Alternatively, break out your art supplies and make yourself a card.
If you’re not a crafty person and you can’t get out for a card (and you don’t, like me, stockpile cards for unexpected occasions), no worries. A piece of paper can stand in for a card.
December 31
The set up:
Gather a pen, your journal, or some paper. Maybe play peaceful music (The Vernon Spring—my most listened to artist on Spotify this year—really does it for me!) and light a candle.
The action:
It can help to begin with a few rounds of deep breathing (in for a count of four, out for a count of seven). You might also give Lisa Cooper Ellison’s Heart Coherence Meditation for Writers a try. Or just sit quietly, mindfully sipping a cup of tea.
When you feel grounded in the present moment, you’re ready to begin listing highlights from your 2023 writing/creative life.
Highlights need not revolve around large triumphs. Really small things count. Some examples include reaching out to a writing mentor, taking part in a craft-honing class, finding a writing group, discovering you have a knack for haiku, making meaningful social media contacts, experimentation with speculative fiction, or discovering a new piece of family history that could transform a nonfiction narrative.
As I begin listing highlights, my gratitude meter begins ticking upward. As my gratitude grows, I tune into more “lights” I wouldn’t have recognized or noticed as gifts if I hadn’t been paying attention in the kind of way that list making requires.
If the completed list is written in your journal, you’ll probably stumble across it again when you most need to read it. If it’s in looseleaf form, tuck it away somewhere special, such as in a project box, or paper clip it to a page in your daily planner. You may even want to tack it up in a location you pass frequently.
Be bold. Be courageous. Be audacious.
January 1
The set up:
Gather up a pen, your chosen card, and play some soft music again (I like jazz on New Year’s Day—specifically Tord Gustavsen’s melancholy piano). Light a candle (a fresh one for the new year, if you have one).
The action:
Welcome in the new year by taking a few long inhales deep into your belly or give the Heart Coherence meditation another listen.
Now, you’ll write a letter to your future self.
My letter will be written to my end-of-2024 self, but you might select a different point in the future. Be sure to address your future self lovingly before you begin to write down your wildest hopes and dreams for her. Engage your imagination! Be bold. Be courageous. Be audacious.
When you’ve filled the available white space, close lovingly from your present self.
You can tuck this card in a safe place to read at the designated future point. You might also give it (sealed, addressed, and stamped) to a reliable friend or family member to send to you at the designated time.
Another option: Mail your sealed, addressed, envelope to me in a larger envelope and I’ll mail it back to you at the end of 2024. Comment or email if you want to utilize this option.
Whenever it is that you read your letter, I suspect you’ll find some nuggets that have inspired future happenings in your writing life.
Happy writing and creating in 2024!
Thanks so much for reading. Please share this ritual with others. Links to my poetry and essay writing can be found at www.heidifettigparton.com.
I hope you’ll subscribe to receive a new writing ritual each month.
Casting good vibes. In other words, casting joy! love it.
Joining you every step of the way. Happiest New Year to you and yours.