A Tender Intention for 2023
Tender.
A word that describes how I feel.
A word as reminder of how I desire to take care of myself. Tenderly.
A word, when broken down says “tend her”.
And one that describes who I want to serve in the world. The Tenders. Those that tend - to others, to the earth and it’s beings, to our bodies, to our spirit.
This is my word of 2023.
Tender and me have already become acquainted, as it has felt like a companion to my word of 2022. Slow.
It is asking me to bring focus to what it can look like to radically tend to my being. What it feels like to be tended to by others. Letting their support weave into my ways of doing and being.
It’s asking for me to claim and explore what it means to work with the Tenders of the world. To embody this role myself.
I am redefining tending from that which looks like chronic over giving, martyring, and losing myself in order to care to others.
One of the acts of tending started with this photoshoot, which I gifted to myself in early December. Sharing some of the most tender parts of me. Here’s a link to the full gallery.
Ever since this word has landed as my guide for 2023, it has already shown me quite a lot about tending to myself. It isn’t just the yoga classes, long hot showers, and claiming both small and big moments of joy for myself (although it very much is). It is also asking for an unwavering commitment to my needs. Which indeed has (and will) cause discomfort and disappointment for others. It’s asking me to face the deep seeded people pleaser, peace keeping, “nice” and amenable parts of myself and what happens when I release these roles, once and for all.
So here’s to a year of tending her. The woman in these photos who is exploring what it feels like to choose herself.
To creating a way to tend to my being and family in a resourced and thriving way.
To meeting new + familiar tender souls along the way.
To letting my tender heart lead.
Photos taken by me, for my own Untold Studio Session (see full gallery). If you would like to book your own personal experience, please connect with me for more details.
