Each year I challenge myself to formulate an annual mantra. (Shout out to friend Nancy, who started me on this tradition!) It’s actually a great way to take stock and drill down into your current state of mind by reflecting on what you really value. Some years they’re a directive, others almost cringe-worthily earnest. They may reflect a particular mindset I want to cultivate or be a reminder of the kind of person I strive to be. I’ve painted them on rocks, shared them with friends, and tried to actively embody my mantra throughout the year.

Wow, I just looked at my list and these started in 2016! Happy 10-year mantra anniversary to me! (Believe the proper gift is a new oracle deck.) Like shoes or handbags, I definitely have favorites. Let’s take a trip down mantra memory lane …

2017 – Never Suppress a Generous Impulse. Lolz, I gave away so many things that year. I remember being at a concert where a woman randomly complimented my scarf, so I wrapped it around her neck (with consent) because truth be told, she wore it best. That was fun. Luckily no one commented on my pants. 😊

2020 – Yes, But What Can YOU Do? Hey, remember 2020? Yeah, wow, that happened. This took on a whole new meaning after quarantines began in March of that year and I was suddenly working (and frankly doing all things) from home while cohabitating with three other adults, a dog, and a whole lot of anxiety. But this mantra did its job! When I was missing the outside world and events and other people, it became, quite literally, “What can I do, solo, to make the most of a particular moment or flip the script on a mood?”

2022 – Be Curious About … I was one year into a daily meditation practice at the time (and decades into regular yoga) and loving the prompt many teachers use: to be curious about your breath, or sensations in your body, or your feeling tone, or whatever. This all made sense when travelling (finally!) to Amsterdam that year and seeing a fantastic bulletin board that said “Happiness and Curiosity Go Hand in Hand.” Indeed they do.

Now here we are, closing in on the end of 2025, and it’s mantra time again. This year I’ll be drawing inspiration from January’s full moon, which peaks on the third of that month. This wolf moon is emblematic of deep winter, instinct, resilience, and setting clear intentions for the new year—perfect conditions for creating a meaningful mantra!

If you’d like to join me in this exploration, come to the Full Moon Restorative extended practice on Sunday, January 4, from 4:30–6:00 pm. I’ll be weaving mantra-setting ideas and inspiration into this practice as we rest and rejuvenate. And yes, howling will definitely be encouraged! See you on the mat.