Registration is open and we will begin December 1st.

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 so often 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. Many of us can begin to feel untethered from what we know and expect this time of 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, 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 the December Pause session of Here, 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.

Here 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.

Dates:

December 1 - 31, 2024 (Your first email will arrive December 1. If you sign up after December 1, I will get you started with the first day’s prompt, then you’ll receive Day 2 the following day, and so on.)

How it works:

Each day you will receive an email in your inbox with that day’s lesson. This year, December Pause will again be all month (it has been 20 days at times in the past) because I’ve heard from so many of you that receiving a daily email to read first thing in the morning fills you up. Keeping in mind how busy this time of year can be, the emails will be themed as follows:

Days 1 - 21: Listing days
Some days there will be a story + prompt that will encourage you to tap into a specific feeling, experience, or memories from this time of year. Some days will be about simply observing your world through presence and making a list. Each day will include inspiration and links to explore (just like all the other HERE courses).

Days 22 - 31: Reflection days
For the last 10 days, we will shift to shorter emails that will include a reminder to pause, a prompt that you can use as a chance to pause for reflection or write about each day, and a poem of the day.

My hope is that having a variety of prompts and mindfulness practices 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’ve got you! Each day will include a prompt that can be turned into a list/writing exercise.

All course content will arrive via these emails, which will also include daily inspiration* and peeks at my lists and inside my art journals to give you ideas.

*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 playlists to poems and so on. I’m gathering up a few bits of new inspiration for this course along with many favorite reminders from last year’s round of December Pause to help you fill up your heart’s tank each day.

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:

Because my hope is that you’ll feel supported and find some joy and connection at the end of yet another tough year, the price of December Pause is $18 (usually $25).

Click on the button above to register. You will receive an order confirmation via Squarespace. You’ll then receive the first email on December 1 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 memory keeping 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.

• Did you take December Pause in the past? Some of the content from the first 21 days will be similar to previous December Pause sessions of Here, but I’ve found these prompts are a joy to go through every year as we pause and notice who we are, what we’re experiencing, and reflect together. Expanding the course to 31 days means you will be receiving new content this time around. Just get in touch if you have any questions.

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 by Lauren Oliver Photography.)