My part of Finland is snow-covered right now. We’ve had days of beautiful sunshine and blue skies. December is gone, and 2025 has landed. However, the flipping of the Gregorian calendar has always puzzled me, perhaps because the first of January is another day, sometimes even a Wednesday!
I started January with walks in the snow, breathing in the chilly air and bathing in the sun's soft glow as it performed a short dance in the sky. The sky turns soft pinks and purples as it disappears out of view, a beautiful reminder of its existence.



For several days we’ve woken to large crystals adorning our balcony windows, nature’s decorations. Each one, unique and delicate, lasts until the temperature increases slightly to melt away because the pretty sun holds no warmth here. It’s been days of snow, then meltwater, then ice, as the temperature rises above zero and sinks again, just below zero, enough to freeze the meltwater into death ice (my name for it).
I managed a cycling trip yesterday. The ice had melted enough for a 10km round trip without fear of slipping off my deadly treadly. Cycling along is a lovely feeling of freedom, and I realised I’d missed it. I keep reminding myself that spring is a long way off… there are a few false springs to get through!
There’s nothing like moving your body to get ideas and creativity flowing and each day the weather is glorious making the dull grey days easier to get through because there are plenty of those ahead.
January started intentionally for me. I ran a workshop at the end of December on intention-setting and making a vision board, and I’ve continued with intention-setting, a soothing daily ritual that provides a focus. The Workshop is available until the end of January, so if you’re keen to say “Yes!” to more in 2025, check it out.
The Word of the Year has chosen me in the last five years because it’s certainly not me picking the word! This year, it came earlier than some years, before we’d even flipped over the calendar. Some years it’s been weeks into January when the word has chosen me. “What is it?” I hear you ask… why, it’s Nourish.
Nourish chose me because that’s what I need to focus on in 2025. Ways of nourishing myself, physically, mentally, and emotionally—all the aspects of what Nourish means. It’s a chance to explore the nuances of this word, how it shows up in my life and how I can Nourish myself a little more.
Nourishing myself has seen me taking walks, even on the dreaded death ice. It’s glimmers, connection, and learning new things. It’s a new way of giving voice to my thoughts (
’s podcast, As You Are, being a guest on Unapologetic Uplift podcast). It’s feeding myself nourishing food, and books, and being intentional about my online diet of nourishing podcasts and writings. It’s speaking about my life with migraine in an interview with . It’s taking naps when I need them, nurturing habits that enrich my life, encouraging my curiosity and following my intuition.I’m the same ‘me’ but with some pretty flucking fabulous 2025 energy which so far has seen me speaking to all sorts of amazing people from all over the world, landing in incredible online spaces and having amazing opportunities to share my knowledge, skills and experience! What an incredible start to the year!
I look forward to dropping into your inbox around the 15th of every month (give or take!) as well as sending out a few poems as I slowly migrate my extensive collection from another platform to here.
is still blooming and I’m showing up with video content every Friday as well as going Live now that Substack has given us that ability (but you need the app). This Saturday I’m chatting about books and you’re invited! Book Clubbing is new to Flucking Flourishing in 2025 and we’re chatting all things books on Saturday 25th January at 14.30 Helsinki time | 12.30 London time | 13.30 Amsterdam time. Maybe you can come along?!As I sit at my little desk and the winter day gains a little more light every day, I’ll leave you with this thought from Toni Morrison:
You are your best thing.
Remember this as you move into the calendar year, wherever you are in the world.
Stay well,
Lisa x



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Ha ha.. "slipping off my deadly treadly" 🤣
“Deadly treadly”😂
What an incredible start to the year !
My word chose me too! In November 😍 it’s flourish - so I’m not surprised yours in nourished and our energy collided in such a way🌱
Thanks for sharing your migraine story with me and promoting the experience as nourishing 💛