In this new decade, how will your voice be heard?

This is adapted from the latest PresentVoices newsletter. Click here to sign up.

I’m big on New Year's intentions (the wonderful Ann Shoket describes it not as your goal but as a mantra that helps you work towards your goal through the year). This December, I can’t stop thinking about deliberately starting the next decade with intention. What are you going to leave behind in 2019 that’s not serving you? What do you want to take with you into this new decade?

Last year’s word was recalibration. New motherhood and starting PresentVoices meant I had to change what it meant to be productive. It was painful and is still in process but my recalibration led me to my intention for the next decade. It’s my 2020 vision: Silence & Space.

In 2020 and beyond, I want to cultivate more silence and space. I want to listen to fewer podcasts and sit with myself in silence more (when I’m lucky enough to get some). I want to listen more to those around me, particularly voices that are silenced and oppressed, and make space for people who are not being heard. I want to wait a bit longer before replying to emails and give myself space to be thoughtful and deliberate. I want to give myself time to think and feel less rushed in my conversations, owning my own pace.

I want to take up more space and project myself out into the world. I want less noise in my head and less effort in my interactions.

In this new decade, how will your voice be heard? What are you going to leave behind in 2019 that’s not helping you speak your truth?

Wishing you a Happy New Decade where your voice is heard.