You’ve been asking for this for years, and it’s finally here: Five Things (the December version). Registration is open! And you can join in at any time, and I’ll get you started with the Day 1 prompt.

December holds so much. The hustle and bustle of the holidays. The missing of those we love. The gatherings of family and friends and people we can't wait to hug and perhaps even a few we wish we didn't have to see. The loneliness that sometimes rests in the quiet spaces. The expectations, ours and others, that almost twinkle at the edges of each day. The hopes and the dreams and "the new year is almost here" anticipation all wrapped up around us, within us.

And yet again we have a year that brought its own global and personal challenges and heartaches. At times we may feel untethered from what we know and expect during the last few weeks of the year.

But through it all, I want you to remember that you can be present to the beauty, the tough stuff, the joy, the messy days, the grief, and even a bit of merriment. Even now. (Especially now.)

This December, come along on a journey to notice you in the midst of it all.

Join me for a special December version of HERE: Five Things, where we will make lists of what encourages us, supports us, and delights us during this time of year.

Gather in online community with like-minded spirits and give yourself the gift of remembering you, your soul care needs, your stories. Be gently reminded that you are not alone as you experience all that this season brings.

HERE is an ecourse series that invites you to explore the creative practice of writing lists to anchor you in the midst of daily life. It’s a mindful practice that can be done in a notebook, in your art journal, with photos, as part of a scrapbooking project, or simply in the notes app on your phone.

Five Things is about giving yourself the gift of presence and connection for a few moments each day.

Through this course, I will encourage you, hold space for you, and inspire you to write your own lists as a way to connect in your daily life. I will also share stories and encourage you to do the same as a way to remember we are side by side from our corners of the world.

And if you’re already wondering “but what about December Pause,” the course I usually teach in December, I invite you to see this “December version” as an intersection where Five Things and December Pause meet. We will be listing like we do in both courses. We will be pausing and reflecting just like we do in December Pause (and all of my courses). If you enjoyed either of these courses, you will find yourself at home again in this one. Read on for how this course will come together.

Dates:

There will be 31 days of emails. This round began December 1, but you can join in at anytime and I’ll get you started with Day 1. This class is not tied to specific days of the month but is instead focused on 31 days of pausing, noticing, and listing this time of year.

How it works:

Each day you will receive an email in your inbox with that day’s lesson. Keeping in mind how busy this time of year can be, the emails will be themed as follows:

Day 1 + even-numbered days of the month: Listing days
These days will provide you with a Five Things listing prompt along with some thoughts about the day’s prompt. These days will begin with a short story, mindfulness prompt, or sometimes a short video message from me. They will also include a Five Things listing prompt + ideas to get you started + examples of my lists.

Odd-numbered days beginning Day 3: Inspiration and reflection days
These days you’ll receive an email with a quote and a poem for you to read and reflect on along with some fun inspiration* links that you’re used to receiving from me in my ecourses. There may also be a short story or a mindfulness practice for you on these days. ***Updated for clarification: There will be listing prompts ideas on these days too. However, for those who want to pause on these in-between days, the invitation will be there.

My hope is that having a variety of prompts, mindfulness practices, stories, and inspiration will help you pause and notice what you need during this last month of the year. That said, if you’re hoping for a month of listing to fill up a journal, I feel confident you will find some prompts on our “odd numbered” days when you explore the inspiration shared.

All course content will arrive via these emails.

*The inspiration I share in these courses repeatedly comes up as many participants’ favorite part. As usual, it will include things from books to videos to articles to artists to songs to more poems and so on.

Optional Community

For those who would like to join in community, we’ll gather in a private Facebook group and share our lists and connect throughout the month.

Cost: $22

Five Things is usually $25 but I’ve lowered the price for this December version.

Click on the button above to register. You will receive an order confirmation via Squarespace. You’ll receive the first email within 24 hours (usually much sooner) and then receive daily emails for 31 days. Emails will be sent to the email address you enter when you check out so be sure to double check it. If you purchase one for a friend, please add their name and email address to the notes section as you check out. They will not receive a confirmation email (because it goes to the address that purchased the course), but they will receive all the emails for the course.

What people are saying about the HERE ecourses:

I didn't know what to expect when I signed up, but Oh My Goodness!! This first email has so many treasures!
I love the poetry and the music (what a wonderful way to start my day) and the links
to so many amazing people. And, of course, the invitation to contemplate and write! What a glorious gift!!

{HERE} is already filling my days with noticing and intention. I love the combination of your thoughts and
gentle guidance to actually put pen to paper, as well as some poetry inspiration and a few places to look
at on the Internet. I have started a journal that is making me smile.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this first session and I am looking forward to Part II.
I cannot thank you enough for the gentle reminder of "noticing" the "Now."

Creative Ways to Make Your Lists:

• Pair your list with a photo (like I often do).

• Fill up a little journal with your lists. (I’ll share some examples in class.)

• Add this practice to your Project Life or other scrapbooking projects.

• Get a little artsy with your list in an art journal. (I’ll share examples of this, too.)

• Keep them in a simple spiral notebook or even in a notepad app on your phone.
  

The important piece is the act of noticing, slowing down, and writing the list.

More details

• This class takes place online and all class material is delivered via email. Additional connection is optional through our Facebook groups.

• This is a new course AND you will find updated versions of a few of the prompts from December Pause (if you’ve taken it in the past) because I believe some of those prompts are juicy ones for us to revisit every time we reflect during December.

Supplies Needed:

This will really be up to you. Start with this: KEEP IT SIMPLE. Gather up a notebook or just use your phone. If you feel called to get a little bit messier or play with some art supplies, add those and a journal to your list. You get to decide.

Here’s what I want you to remember: In this course, we’ll pay attention to the feelings, details, routine, senses, longings, and experiences of daily life. That’s the goal here. And we’ll do it together. You don’t need to make this a new creative project that has a few art supplies or a new journal, unless you want to! You choose, dear one. And just get in touch if you have questions.

(Photos of Liz holding the oranges is by Vanessa Simpson.)