✨You didn’t do January wrong.
In this edition of Notes from the Sea Suite:
🌊 Realtime musings from the South Atlantic Ocean
➡️ A little something I just whipped up for moving through whatever kind of ‘January’ moment you are in.
🦋 News that’s giving me butterflies.
Hello Friends - I normally share stories from the past in this newsletter. I let experiences percolate and then once I’ve had a moment to glean an insight or lesson that feels meaningful, I share the beginning, middle and (current) end of it all with you lot. I’m taking a different tact today and sharing what feels important in real time.
I’m writing to you from somewhere in the South Atlantic Ocean. Yesterday we crossed the Prime Meridian (due south of London!) as we headed west from Namibia to St. Helena. We are moving verrrrrrry slowly out here. There’s virtually no wind and none really forecasted, either. Sails are down and we are motoring slowly, just to keep our St. Helena trajectory on track while not excessively wasting fuel.
With no real sailing to be done, I’m left with plenty of space and time to stare at the horizon. And for the most part, I’m noticing a deep sense of calm and relaxation in this moment of quiet. And then…there it is, a spike of itchiness, twitchiness, mild anxiety that goes with just wanting to GET THERE ALREADY. And if we can’t GET THERE, what can I do to at least be PRODUCTIVE?!
And it occurs to me that - especially with my return to land-life being only 3 months away now - this sensation isn’t really about the ocean at all. It’s about January. That moment where forward motion is slow, expectations are loud, and our tolerance for “not quite there yet” is… thin.
Observing this and sitting with it for a minute led me to create something and to want to share it with you.
So here it is. Whether you are experiencing a slow, meandering, hibernating January or one immersed in a flurry of activity, here’s an invitation to call BS on any message you might be receiving that’s telling you that you are doing it wrong. If you are feeling uncomfortable in it - pressure, guilt, boredom, etc. - that feeling is exactly right. And it’s trying to tell you something.
Here’s a choose-your-own adventure chart I just came up with for getting curious and moving through it. If it feels supportive, give it a whirl.
I hope you enjoy my sweet little canva illustration transposed from barely legible notebook scratchings! 💜
Whether your vision of 2026 success looks like a big, audacious move or a simple and meaningful stabilisation, there will be moments of unease. Here’s your reminder that moving through them, and closer to what it is you truly want, usually starts with the tiniest of shifts.
My invitation - and I’ll say this quickly while it’s still January:
✨Here’s to New year, same brilliant you. Just a tad more connected to that brilliance, and more powerful for it. ✨
BONUS CONTENT
Looking for a reliable source of confidence, energy and motivation in 2026? Start. 👏Tracking.👏 Your.👏 Wins.👏 I’ve talked about this before and swear, I will die on this hill. If you are curious - I fully explain why acknowledging your wins works in your favour in this past newsletter. And you can download a free tool that I created that makes this game-changing habit it a 3-5min/week task.
📣 AN UPDATE FROM THE SEA SUITE
Friends, I’ve quietly re-opened my speaking work and will be taking on engagements from May 2026 onwards.
Out here, the link between strong self-leadership, navigating uncertainty, and leading others has come into sharp, undeniable focus. The message I’m carrying into rooms with leaders and teams feels clearer than ever, and I cannot wait to share it.
If you’re planning an offsite, conference or event (or know someone who is) my speaking details are here and you’re very welcome to get in touch.
In all curiousness,
Joy
P.S. If/when the spirit ever moves you or you have questions - always feel free to get in touch and let me know what’s coming up for you!
P.P.S. Know someone who would enjoy reading this newsletter? Feel free to share!
P.P.P.S. Pointed to this newsletter by a friend and want more? You can subscribe to the newsletter HERE.