Retrospect can be a hell of a drug.
When used as medicine, retrospect can be a salve for the soul, a place to rest or to celebrate. Looking back on this year could be a practice in saying all that was left unsaid, taking inventory of accomplishments, taking note of what will be done differently when given a new opportunity in a new year. It can be a sobering place to get real with ourselves about the patterns that are working in our best interest and those that are sabotaging our integrity. It can set us up to be in partnership with ourselves and our support systems to keep on the path toward a more aligned and authentic self.
When used as a drug, retrospect can look like self-blame or blaming others, dragging ourselves down with the "shoulda, coulda" of it all. It can be an excuse to hold grudges or set up impossible standards of perfection for ourselves and affectionately name them "resolutions." We can use looking back on the year to create evidence as to why things just don't work out for us. It gives license to impose bars just high enough beyond our own reach to perpetuate stories of impossibility.
How about let's use retrospect as medicine this year? Let's have our new year's resolutions be less about a once-and-for-all perfection and instead a structural foundation on which the lives of our dreams can bloom. Tea Time with Mel: Visioning will be a free or donation-based call on Jan 9th at noon pacific where we will walk through my personal take on vision boarding, inviting us all into the possibility of our future year, including our visions for our world. I would love to have you join and be a part of breathing life into your year.
One of the elements of retrospect that often needs more tending is grief. Whether there is a loss of a life, a dream, a relationship, or something else in your world, learning to grieve well can loosen the fear of loss in a way that not only honors our pain but makes room for an empowered future. Join our first call with The Grief Group on Jan 15 at noon pacific. We're offering a sliding scale and would love to work with you in joining this community for one or all of our monthly calls in 2026.
Dates: The Third Thursday of the month starting January 25th 12:00-1:00pm PST
Location: Online
Cost: Sliding scale $25-75
To register: email Chelsea@chelsearosecotton.com
Now once we've developed a strong relationship with our retrospection, we can dive into other tools for reflection that serve us. One of my favorites is dreaming. Chelsea and I are grateful to present Dream Tending, an 8 week course in working with our dreams for a greater understanding of who we are. We have shifted to Mondays for more accessibility. You will learn to embrace your dreams, practice dreaming collectively, let your dreams guide your creativity and play with art, and build confidence and trust in the unknown. Whatsapp group included for support in between sessions.
Dates: Mondays January 26th-March 16th from 12:00-1:30pm PST
Location: Online
Cost: $750
To register: email Chelsea@chelsearosecotton.com
While I write, I am sitting on the couch under a large blanket listening to obscure Christmas music that my mom has played every year that I can remember. The tree lights are twinkling, and I allow all of the celebration and the grief over the years to move through me as memories come up. I honor each of you who have taken the time to read this, who let my musings into your hearts and thank you for spending time with me even in this small way. May our moments past be the retrospective conduits we need for aligned presence. May an aligned presence be the building blocks for an empowered future, and may it move the world with beauty. Enjoy these last days of 2025!
