Reflecting on 2023
Some reflections on the past year: work, play and learnings.
This time last year, I wrote a blog reflecting on my past year. It was a helpful prompt to take stock of the work I’d done and what I had learnt, so I’m doing it again! Read on to hear about what I’ve been up to and who and what has helped me learn and grow along the way.
2023 has been a year of bravely launching stuff:
Blimey, initiating stuff and doing stuff solo takes a lot of energy doesn’t it?! I know that as a freelancer, you’d think that would be my bread and butter, but there is something about putting a programme out there and being like “pay to do this thing I am running” which brings up alllll the feels. But I did it twice this year. So I’m celebrating that!
Some of the Exeter Huddlers, during a creative meet up in December 2023
I launched a Huddle in Exeter, bringing together a group of peers on a 5 month learning journey courtesy of Huddlecraft. This was mammoth — and it’s not over yet! Recruitment involved many a coffee with people in Exeter, flyering the city, running open evenings and taster sessions. I changed the theme after one round of recruitment, eventually settling on Turning Points: a huddle for anyone at a moment of transition or change in their life. And I can now say, wholeheartedly, the mammoth slog was worth it. We are a group of 12 magical humans, 7 meet ups deep in a 5 month process. It feels like a complete honour to be holding the process for this group’s learning and growth. And personally, it feels GREAT to get out the house every other week, knowing I’m going to connect with lovely humans IRL! Since moving to Devon I’ve struggled a bit with finding the energy to meet new people, but this has been an injection of loveliness.
A snapshot of the activities used in Reflect:Recenter, designed by the wonderful Ellie Osborne
I ran my own programme Reflect:Recenter for the second time, after last year’s pilot. This personal development programme is a 12 week journey for people looking for more purpose and meaning in their lives. Off the back of the pilot, I experimented with some new elements (pod groups for reflection in between sessions, longer workshops, some in-person days and more structured activities) and got to collaborate with the wonderful Ellie Osborne again on the design of the materials. There was a big learning for me here about how I measure how a programme is going — over the course of the 12 weeks I had serious doubts about what I’d designed and how it was landing. Now the evaluations are coming in — and there is a lot of good stuff. So how do I hold my nerve during a programme, even when I might not be getting the endorphin hits of feedback and validation I so clearly crave? Big life long learning stuff that, I am sure.
I also continued to do lots more interesting learning, facilitation and coaching work:
Me and Julia at one of the YFLN events
I continued to run the Youth Funding Learning Network with Julia, a learning space for Paul Hamlyn grantees working with young people. If you also convene networks or groups, then we captured some learning on our experience of the network here. I love working on this and I love working with Julia ❤
I also did a similar piece of work for The Lloyds Foundation, supporting their charity partners through a peer network in the South West, which was lovely to do something more local and feel connected to the charity sector here.
I did some long term consultancy work with organisations, working with senior leaders through coaching and strategy days to help embed better ways of working and more positive team dynamics. I also ran a few one-off strategy away days for boards and exec teams; 2023’s list included think tanks, medical professionals, police-influencers and funders! Quite the range.
I continued to work with The Health Foundation on a learning programme for the Q community, creating events and opportunities for those working in quality improvement in health and care settings. The best thing about this has been being part of a team — like a real team — for the first time in a long time since turning freelance. But remote is hard isn’t it? A lot of Slacking back and forth! I just prefer live conversations, me!
Here are some other things that happened in 2023 (some fun, some not so fun):
Me and my sister absolutely soaked but loving life at Stormzy: “let the rain fall on my enemies”
I’ve always found it difficult to distinguish the different facets of me: my work and play doesn’t always feel distinct. And that’s OK for me actually — it feels good a lot of the time. But it means when I reflect on the year, I find myself also clocking some random things I just really loved and enjoyed — and it feels important to give them as much attention as I do the strategy days and facilitation work!
The highlights of this year were two live gigs: Beyoncé and Stormzy. I don’t often feel that ‘in the moment’ but these gigs were pure presence. I felt joy! Such joy. Beyoncé was sparkly. Stormzy was WET.
Dartmoor retreat. I would like to add that this was the FINAL HOUR of the retreat and it rained the entire rest of the time!!
I went on a 3 day mindfulness walking retreat on Dartmoor. Spoiler alert: I hated it. I had such high hopes for 3 days immersed in nature. I was going to come out re-born, re-centered, re-aligned with who I am having had quiet contemplation on beautiful Dartmoor! The reality was I came out soaking wet, exhausted and absolutely committed to not doing that again, having spend night 2 in tears, trapped in a cold wet tent in the middle of the moors. I felt quite disappointed to be faced with the reality that I am just not as hearty as I had hoped — but also accepting of it. Maybe I am just a fair weather nature lover! You live and learn.
I’ve begun the journey into psychotherapy training (I mean is that work? Is that play? Is that fun? Is it not? The jury is out). It’s been a real whirlwind — a foray into essay writing, and philosophical texts, as well as my own personal therapy journey as I get to grips with what it might mean to work as a therapist one day. I do feel a deep intuition that this path is right for me, but it’s also a long, painful and uncertain journey to get there!
Obvs as a learning junkie I have to capture my key reflections: what am I taking away from the experiences of 2023?
Ach so many learnings, as always. Here’s a handful of things I am taking away from this year…
I‘ve found it harder and harder to do stuff solo. I love collaborating with other people — I know I do better work, and have a better time doing it! But by the same token, it’s been a real edge and source of growth to do things solo. Reflect:Recenter, initiating the Huddle — these things have helped me to see that I can do stuff on my own, even if I choose not to.
I’ve developed some unhealthy work patterns. It’s become quite normal for me to get out of bed and log on to my laptop at 7am. I don’t know why I do this. I don’t want to do this! I think the new year is going to provide a really lovely opportunity to reset some of these work patterns.
Leaning into peer support IS THE ONE! I have leant hard on my Action Learning Set buddies (shout out to Sarah, Dan, Stella and Lucy!) which has really helped me work through some more tense moments this year. I’ve organised a peer-review of Reflect:Recenter, calling on some lovely freelance colleagues to help me do a retro of the programme. I’ve had buddying and mentoring from the Huddlecraft community as I run my Huddle. All of this has been sooo nourishing and resourcing.
Welcome packs for my Huddlers with special rainbow scratch card name tags which are so fun!
I like injecting magic into experiences. Often it’s the little things I love to design. The welcome packs in the post. The careful choosing of each notebook design for each participant. The sparkly jacket as optional attire during presentations to help people feel as wonderful as they are. I love to think about ways to make people and experiences feel special. I am learning to own that more — and see that that is magical design, not just silly frills.
Life is unpredictable. I started this year going into a second round of IVF, the first one at the end of last year having failed. The second one in March also failed. The whole experience has opened me up to new facets of existence: experiences of medical treatment, of navigating time off work, of grief, of asking for support from friends, and of utter surrender, alongside feeling simultaneously completely responsible. It’s hard to talk about this year without acknowledging that experience, that I know so many also go through (and who go through far worse). I feel very very fortunate that I am now pregnant, and expecting a baby in February. It was completely unexpected given our journey to that point, which is a weird mix of emotions in itself. Life is unpredictable.
I’ll be going on maternity leave at the end of January, so I’m gearing up to slow down work for a little while. I don’t know what 2024 will have in store — it’s a huge unknown, but I feel a bit more practiced these days at stepping into a space of unpredictability.
As I’ve done for the last couple of years, I’ll be running a free Year Compass session on January 2nd, for anyone who wants to reflect on the year, and look ahead to 2024, in company. Register here. It’s always a lovely vibe.
Have a peaceful and nourishing break and see you in 2024!
Wanna chat about any of this? I love chats! drop me a line at katelweiler@gmail.com or sign up to receive more musings from me here. Follow my work here.
