New Year New Values and FREE JOURNAL PROMPT

This has been a big year to digest. A simple way to honor all the complex emotions attached to this year is by having clarity in how we are going to show up in 2021. This month, I want to talk about GAINING CLARITY and provide encouraging tools for us to be grounded in our WORTH as we approach a brand new year (and there is something so beautiful about new beginnings).

Below, I am taking you through my three C’s with a really simple but highly effective journal prompt. This practice will serve as your own personal compass to navigate and measure decisions. When you start gaining clarity around your values and dreams, the world starts saying yes to you. Wrapping you all with so much love and warmth this week and please remember, small steps forward are courageous steps. - AR

Conscious Cleansing

To style a space thoughtfully and make it beautiful, I have to clear away the clutter — edit it out.  Starting from a blank slate, I separate which objects to keep from those items that must go. The same principle applies to our feelings.  I want us to start by taking stock of how we felt about 2020.  Invest time and practice stillness in listening to your feelings. Have you uncovered how you felt about this year? Have you registered your thoughts? Where were your triggers? What did your triggers teach you?  Have you invested in healing?  Are you full right now?

We have to REVEAL it to HEAL it, and allow ourselves the time we need to clear through the clutter and sit with our emotions. Now is the time to slow down and find stillness inside yourself to develop clarity around what emotions served you, and how you healed through the harder parts of this year. Our emotional cleansing and moments of reflective pause will plant new seeds of perspective and growth.

Creative Clarifications

So — you’ve cleaned off the mental countertops. It’s now time to clarify your motivation. 

One of the first steps I take towards executing my goals is to identify and define my values.  Why do I do this?  When my personal values and professional values are in alignment with one another, I achieve greater life fulfillment. This also yields a plan I can measure my decisions against. For example, let’s say a creative value of mine is to produce another body of work for a second book. This means I will be doing a cost/benefit analysis of all opportunities coming my way that either coincide with this value or are disruptive to this value.

Below I am providing five value categories I like to use as a starting framework: Personal, Professional, Family, Creative, and Community Values. Underneath each one, I list my top five priorities for each category. This framework yields clarity and a plan you’ll be able to measure decisions against for the new year.

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Creative Acceleration

By investing in both stillness and clarity, we are courageously sitting in the driver's seat for 2021 and creating a path forward. Even the smallest steps are courageous. Our clarity around our values is what accelerates our creativity and the vision we have that extends beyond our current set of circumstances. This momentum quickly shifts “possibilities” into limitless “probabilities”. 

Our value system is the bridge and gateway to our goals and dreams.  What is one step you can take today towards crossing that bridge?

For the perfect gift that will reconnect you to your creative power and cultivate the strength of community. This is a gift that keeps giving.

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Alyssa’s debut Coffee Table book, The New Southern, Out now via Abrams!

Thrive Global | Alyssa Rosenheck’s Tips to Creating Wellness Stations at Home

Who has hit a wall? I think we all have to be honest. These are the times to dig deep and do the internal work. These are the moments to slow down and this is a simple reminder to pause. An indicator of hope is how one can maintain internal peace while transitioning through turbulent times. While we are within the four walls of our home, doing the best we can, I am inspired to share a sense of reprieve from the unknowns and offer a new way to attach meaning to our space. This is about being intentional and dedicating space to live in, to love in, to learn in and to grow in - highlighted in my new coffee table book out this fall, The New Southern Style - A Lifestyle and Design Book. By doing this, we are able to bolster the energy empowering us to show up; it begins within us and starts at home. Below, I am walking you through how we can incorporate wellness into our space to yield more peace, productivity and organization. 

Set up wellness stations at home. 

Working from home is not new for me. In order for us to maximize our output,  we have to re-imagine our everyday spaces and reassign meaning to create not just literal space, but also emotional and mental space for ourselves. Co-opt a few spots at home as “Wellness Stations” —  literal places in your home to find a sense of peace and calm. Here’s how your space can reflect a schedule for wellness: 

• Morning Wellness Station: The Shower.

  Water soothes most of my needs. It is a source of renewal and in our day-to-day lives, a reminder for stillness. I encourage waking up early to give yourself quiet time in the shower to start the day off with an intention. A few questions to get going are: How do I want to feel today? How am I going to show up for myself today and for the world around me?

• Afternoon Wellness Station: The Outdoors.

  Go for a walk. Take time over lunch to connect with the sun, the clouds and the wind. Even taking a moment to rest by a window can reveal simple splendors — natural light, the details of winter transforming to spring, birds singing. 

• Evening Wellness Station: Tub Time.

  Carving out time for a bath is a sacred way to take stock in the day. This stillness yields awareness of what was working during the day and where we need to pivot. Taking this time to recharge along with a mindful meditation is one step closer to a good night's rest and optimizes your effectiveness for a brand new day ahead. 

Create a schedule: Time Management vs Energy Management.

Over the years, I have had time to fine tune the levers of my schedule to accommodate two growing businesses, speaking engagements, managing a team, and writing my first book. I discovered the vital force behind our effectiveness is the quality of our energy. I am a firm believer in energy management over time management.  Working from my home studio is normal when I am not traveling for clients; however, due to the current #socialdistancing climate, we are all adjusting to new characters and new schedules adding complexity to a new normal. Husbands are at home, moms suddenly have kids 24/7, remote learning is taking place, and domestic responsibilities have increased (and are hopefully being shared!).

More than ever, it’s critical to manage our energy, to be innovative with a new schedule and to be forgiving with ourselves. It’s about a flexible approach. Develop a loose schedule that not only prioritizes family and work, but also provides for conscious media consumption with an equal amount of space to unplug. And finally – let yourself do something new! 

Do something new.

I recently did this by incorporating my husband, Ben, into my creative space on social media. He is a highly trained head and neck surgeon, and, after finding myself overwhelmed ciphering through the rapidly changing news everyday, I noticed I felt much calmer hearing it from his (scientifically-trained) perspective. So I decided to share that with my New Southern community, and now our nightly Q+As on Instagram Stories not only helps us to stay on top of news and share unbiased data with others, but also brings us and others together. 

Whatever it looks like for you and your household, now is the time to tap into creativity as a resource. Here are a few ideas to explore:

• Art Therapy.

  This can look like anything from picking up a paintbrush to simply picking some greenery on your afternoon walk to arrange in a vase. 

• Cook with intention and INTUITION.

  A tradition as old as time, cooking is a way to show love and nourish relationships around the table. 

• Create a dedicated reading space.

  Steal a throw or some pillows from somewhere else in your home and break out the good candles. Get cozy! 

• Create a dedicated meditation space.

  Carve out a corner that cues your body and mind to slow down when you’re in it – wherever it may be.  

• Start a book club.

  My friend Allison Moorer, an Academy and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, is taking it virtual on Instagram daily, reading and highlighting passages out of noteworthy, soulful reads. She is curating accompanying playlists weekly as well. Take a note from Allison’s Instagram and start supporting artists and authors. A few books I recommend starting out with: Blood by Allison Moorer, Vibrate Higher Daily by Lalah Delia, You Are Enough by Panache Desai, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, or Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.

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Stay Sane + Sanitize | Alyssa's Virtual Survival Toolkit

How are we doing? Really? Let’s take a deep breath together. . .Inhale for the count of 6 and exhale for the count of 6.  Let’s do a quick body scan before we begin. What feels good in our body? What feels tense in our body? What are we doing to process our feelings?

I am sharing my virtual survival toolkit today to help us navigate our new normal. Below you will find - digital therapy resources, virtual museum tours, personal learning tools, and how I harness creativity during times like this. There are financial relief funds for artists and creatives along with trusted sites on how to continue to navigate social distancing and the corona virus. We are all in this together and I am sending love and health to you. Xx

Personal Growth 

To Be Magnetic 

Dive into the concept of manifestation through workshops, a podcast, and insights from founder Lacy Phillips to get clarity and, ultimately, get out of your own way. TBM is even offering a free resource kit designed specifically for these strange times. 

Digital Therapy Resources 

If you are wanting to dive deeper into traditional outlets for mental health while we are social distancing, you can still connect with a professional virtually. If you have health insurance, start there, as it may have a portal to connect you to in-network options. Alternatively, you can go straight to the source with platforms like Betterhelp and Talkspace. Furthermore, the American Psychological Association is a great place to start, with information on seeking out online therapy and dealing with the mental and emotional side effects of social distancing. 

Cultural Growth 

If you need to get out of the house. . .without actually leaving your abode, cultural institutions have harnessed digital tools to make their art, talents, and natural wonders available to all. Stoke your curiosity and ignite some inspiration with these: 

The Met Opera is sharing performances available for streaming nightly at 7:30 p.m EST. Check the full schedule here to see some of the art form’s greatest performers and performances from the last decade. 

Google Arts and Culture partnered with some of the top museums around the world to bring famous galleries to your living room. Get inspired with a quick virtual trip to The Met, or travel across the globe to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. 

Google Arts and Culture didn’t stop there. If you need to get outside (beyond your cul-de-sac), they’ve made some of the nation’s most beloved national parks into a virtually explorable experience. Explore one of the darkest night skies in America or one of the South’s own tropical treasures. 

Creative Growth 

Let’s talk about harnessing creativity during hard times. This is more important than ever; creativity connects us (even when we can’t in-person!) and dials up the light in the world, something we could use more of right now. (And it’s what The New Southern community is all about!) 

The good news - we are all creative – it’s in our blueprint, it’s our birthright, and can be unlocked at any time. We have to learn however, to connect to our own creativity. To do so, we first have to show up every day, even when you’re not feeling inspired. Showing up for creativity is as easy as going for a walk, listening to music, or hopping in the shower or tub – anything that gets you outside of your own head and allows for a stream-of-consciousness to flow. Here are a few strategies: 

1. Get into your most relaxed state.

   When we are calm, we don't feel pressure, stress, or anxiety. This is when we are most receptive to our creativity and innovation. Whether I’m editing, writing, ideating, or whatever it is, I find it’s simply about getting out of my own way. So,  if I’m stressed, I may need to go for a walk, play with the dog, fold the clothes, read a chapter in a book, or just get outside. There are so many tricks for us to get out of our own head or our own way. Maybe it takes the form of meditation, yoga, gardening, listening to music by inspiring women (i.e., Lady Gaga!!), cooking, or painting. You don’t even have to be good at those things–it’s simply about showing up and slowing down. 

2. Be in receiving mode.

   Learn to welcome the little ideas that land on your shoulder and say, “Hey, you many want to pay attention to me!” Start a journal of dreams and ideas–including the worst, most boring and mundane ideas. Get in the practice of documenting everything, and you may start to see the light shine through the cracks.

3. Learn something new.

   Maybe it’s learning how to edit videos, immersing yourself in a new language, diving into philosophy, queueing up a new Masterclass (see below!), or simply picking up a fresh book. Whatever learning looks like to you, embrace it. It doesn’t have to be related to the medium or outlet your creativity typically takes–it just needs to get you engaged. 

Inspirational Growth 

Masterclass

Whether you want to learn more about photography or poker strategy, business leadership or basketball, space exploration or story telling, this is the place. It’s an upfront investment, but a robust resource for growth. You can even learn about conservation from Jane Goodall herself. 

TED and TEDx 

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and the slogan explains it all: “Ideas worth spreading”. Much like The New Southern, TED is all about connecting over creative ideas and forward progress. TEDx in particular hits home with my passion for community building, as it’s a grassroots effort to bring communities together through the sharing of ideas and experience. Explore TEDx talks from around the world here. 

Conscious Growth 

Lalah Delia 

The author of “Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power”, Lalah Delia teaches others her hard-won lessons on rising above your circumstances, living intentionally, self-actualization and ultimately, how to “journey back home to their empowered, higher-potential, and whole selves.” Start with a podcast interview, a blog post, or read the book! 

Panache Desai 

Spiritual leader and author Panache Desai has created a package of tools specifically for this crisis to help readers cope, including a free, daily guided meditation. His mission, aside from bringing peace in challenging times, is to help others find and then live their purpose. Get a taste via his blog here, or dive in with his book, You Are Enough. 

The Goop Lab

Not one to shy away from curiosity, Gwyneth and her team volunteer as guinea pigs in this six-part Netflix series exploring the world of alternative healing. The show explores everything from medicinal mushrooms to mediumship, giving viewers an insider look at mystical topics and if anything, modeling the power of a curious spirit. 

SELECT RESOURCES

FINANCIAL AID – For freelancers and creatives 

FREELANCE CO-OP

Freelance Co-Op exists to connect freelancers with tools and resources for success. During uncertain and unprecedented times like these, that means an emergency relief fund that individuals can both contribute to and request temporary assistance from. Learn more here. 

ALLIANCE OF ARTIST COMMUNITIES

The Alliance is offering support for artists by connecting them with their network of residency programs around the country. They have also aggregated a collection of other programs artists can turn to for emergency relief and grants. See it here.  

CREATIVE CAPITAL

Creative Capital has created a list of resources for emergency relief funding and assistance for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists, and arts professionals. You can also add to it here. 

THE HAVEN FOUNDATION

Founded by Stephen King, this foundation offers financial assistance to U.S.-based freelancers in times of crisis. Learn more here. 

ARTIST RELIEF TREE

This Facebook Group by artists for artists is collecting donations from individuals with the means to help. Funds collected are used to support artists, particularly freelance artists, as “the arts help make life worth living, and help us lead more thoughtful, compassionate, enjoyable lives.” Donate, learn more, and request aid here. 

SCIENTIFIC 

• The CDC 

• WHO

• The Johns Hopkins Map 

• Why It's So Important to Stay Home

Major news outlets providing free PUBLIC access for COVID-19 coverage:

• NYTimes

• Washington Post 

• WSJ

• The Atlantic 

• Los Angeles Times 

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