2020 Reflections
It's been a long year. In the face of so many challenges, we have survived. We have contributed. We have walked our authentic paths to bringing more good into the world.
I know from personal experience that it can be tempting to focus on all the work that's still left to do and the ways in which we can sometimes feel "not enough." But how about taking a moment to simply revel in all that you've done, learned, and loved??!
Reflecting on the work of Realize Change over the past year, here are a few things I'm deeply proud of:
Building Community by, for & of the Changemakers
In January 2020 – before we knew what was coming – the first-ever cohort of the Changemakers Circle came to a close at Eaton House in Washington DC. Participants in this circle of mutual support and inspiration are pursuing ventures from de-stigmatizing menstruation to fostering intergenerational storytelling in African-American communities to catalyzing climate resilience globally.
Pursuing Purpose in a Virtual Reality
In March, all of Realize Change's offerings went online. To help people feel more grounded and connected at the start of the pandemic, we came together for a series of "virtual grounding" gatherings. Then during the spring and fall, 16 purpose-driven women have participated in the Wellspring of Strengths circle – owning their authentic strengths, letting them be seen, and honing resilience skills for these challenging times. The groups supported each other as the national reckoning on racial injustice gained steam and through the long wait for a presidential election result.
In addition, I've had the honor of working one-on-one with 32 amazing women as they've re-imagined their career plans, cut the cord from toxic workplaces, landed new jobs, launched businesses, earned promotions, secured book contracts, accepted grad school offers, gotten involved in meaningful volunteer roles, and dreamed up passion projects. Most importantly, I have held space for my clients to listen to their inner guides and stay true to their "why."
Getting out the Vote for Macro Change
This fall, the election effort looked different than usual.
To make getting-out-the-vote doable for even the busiest people, Realize Change released a Voter Turnout Guide which was viewed hundreds of times. We held two panel events in October where active volunteers shared ways to send postcards, make calls, and more. Then on Election Day and the previous day, 10 volunteers phone banked together – some who had never done it before – reaching voters who otherwise wouldn't have gotten the extra friendly nudge.
Suffice it to say, it was worth it!!! And of course, there is more work to be done for the fast-approaching Georgia runoff.
Staying True to my Pilot Light
In many ways and at different magnitudes, this year has been a challenging one for all of us, and I count myself in that. Just after I came back from maternity leave with my second child, the lockdown hit. Later this fall, my household got covid-19, and thankfully we're all fully recovered while still regaining our energy and routines. There really hasn't been a "normal" this year.
Despite feeling pulled in a lot of directions, I've been intentional about focusing on my priorities, in this order: my family, my clients, myself, my business, and my community. For me, an important part of taking care of myself and the larger community is listening to my inner spark of creativity. Over the summer, I published my first children's book about a kid who celebrates their birthday in covid times, and I launched an online home for my songs and stories.
I believe that we never stop growing, learning, longing, and striving in this life. That's why I try to practice what I preach and walk alongside other womxn as they forge their own roads-less-traveled-by.
What are you proud of from the past year? Feel free to reach out and share here.
Sending my best wishes to all for joy, peace, justice, healing, and fulfillment in the new year!!!
~ Sarah
Photo by Tara Pokras through her Power to the Portraits initiative.