Beloved Being,

This season, we really just have one message for you:

Give yourself grace.

The “New Year, New You” spell cast on our culture is an illusion. No one is expecting you to radically change your lifestyle when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st.

So don’t expect this of yourself.

The New Year’s Resolutions feedback loop is a set-up. We have been led to believe it’s a gateway to new habits and discipline, when really it’s a trap door collapsing beneath our feet, dropping us into a spiral of guilt, shame, and disappointment.

Neurologically speaking, this is a difficult cycle to break. These emotions around failure and self-sabotage trigger the brain’s threat and stress circuits, flooding the body with cortisol and adrenaline. While undesirable, these states are familiar and therefore addictive, as familiarity reinforces imprints within the nervous system. Each perceived failure or disappointment deepens the same neural grooves, training the brain to associate change with self-criticism and defeat rather than regulation and growth.

Over time, this creates a feedback loop in which motivation is driven by fear instead of faith. As our readers know, fear generates Catabolic Energy, which when used long-term, exhausts the nervous system and drains our cells and tissues of vitality and life force. Motivation alone becomes unsustainable, as our thoughts and emotions undermine any cultivation of routine, ritual, and rhythm.

Grace, on the other hand, reduces the perception of threat. Internal language begins to shift from, “I have to” to “I choose to,” or maybe even, “I get to.”
When we tell ourselves, “I have to,” our nervous system braces for impact, as though dire consequences await if we fail to meet the self-imposed demand.

*Our support squad over on IG voted for my watercolor drawings over AI generated imagery, so… I hope this conveys the meaning! Enjoy!*

As common and normalized as this phrase “I have to” (along with its cousin, “I need to”) may be in our shared lexicon, it contributes to a paradigm of hypervigilance and overwhelm, leaving much of our population either on edge or burnt out.

When we try on the thought, “I get to,” for example: “I get to wash the dishes… what a gift to turn on the faucet and access hot water!” how does the nervous system respond?
Such thoughts as “I choose to,” “I get to,” and “I have the privilege of,” are unfamiliar in our day-to-day lives. They seem mythical in nature. And maybe they are, as they invite confidence, agency, and reverence to such a degree that the mundane paradigm begins to loosen its grip.

And in that softening, the glimmer of the celestial finds us once again.
This is the gift of grace. A kiss of divinity. Available to us in our every day lives, depending on how we speak to ourselves and inspire ourselves internally.

Beautiful how interwoven these two words are. Both reflect our birthright as human beings. We are spirits from the heavens, gifted these homes, our body temples, as we develop in the womb. And when we are ready to begin the journey, we emerge into this shared world. We take our first breath. How miraculous that our bodies receive this air.

From that moment on, breath flows in and out, delivering oxygen to our cells, fueling the electrical signals of the nervous system, carried along the spine and into the body’s rivers and tributaries. Reminding us,

You are not a body in the Universe.
You are the Universe in a body.

Grace might feel passive. In the corporate world, it would be relegated to the category of a “soft skill.”

And yet, there is nothing passive about cultivating the level of presence required to move with grace.

Grace invites awareness. It asks us to remain rooted in our bodies, attuned to our breath, and responsive rather than reactive. It is the strength to pause when urgency pulls at us. The discipline to choose clarity over chaos. The courage to stay open in moments that would otherwise harden us.

Grace is not the absence of power. Looking back at the etymology, what could possibly be more powerful than God’s unmerited favor? By this definition, grace may be one of the most empowering capacities we can develop in this lifetime.

So…

As we reflect on the first month of 2026, I’m wondering, how is your relationship with grace? How do you inspire grace from within?

Please know this: you are worthy of such divine grace.
Know how I know? Because you are here. You are breathing. You exist.

The stardust of the heavens magnetized into a constellation to form your unique spirit. Your soul gathered it like fireflies into a cosmic bottle, and you carried it with you to this material plane, as you chose the perfect lineage of DNA to embody. You are here on purpose. And what a time to be alive. Now all that’s left to do is let that stardust breathe. Witness your own cosmic shimmer.

Now that you are allowing for grace, let’s talk about lifestyle changes.

Chris and I are in the business of lifestyle transformation. In my eight years of coaching, long-term, regenerative practices have been my deepest passion.

Out of curiosity, I recently looked back through my client contracts, invoices, and emails to see if any patterns would emerge.

One stood out clearly.

The most fertile moments for committing to meaningful coaching relationships tend to occur in late summer to early fall, or late winter to early spring. Rarely January.

This lived experience isn’t just anecdotal. It is reflected in broader behavioral data as well. Research consistently shows that while January produces a spike in intention around change, follow-through drops off rapidly by February, according to this The Decision Lab article. Behavioral scientists point to reduced daylight, lower energy, heightened stress, and post-holiday depletion as factors that leave us operating from a deficit rather than a surplus.

I can’t think of anything else in Nature that spontaneously enters a regenerative pattern from a state of depletion. Mother Earth herself embraces winter as a time to rest, decompose, receive vital nutrients and minerals, and replenish. To align with Nature, we are invited to do the same. We must recuperate.

Seasonal transitions that are more supportive of lasting change, such as late winter into early spring and late summer into early fall, coincide with improved mood, increased energy, and the reestablishment of rhythm and routine. When March arrives in the Northeast, we feel relief from the darkness and cold, alongside hope and excitement for the return of greenery and flowers. At the other end of the continuum, September brings relief from summer’s intensity and a sense of awe as autumn’s gradient unfolds, each leaf surrendering in its own time. These transitions naturally generate Anabolic Energy.

And yet, we resist the surrender.

We push ourselves harder than ever through year-end work demands, holidays, and family obligations. By the time January 1st arrives, we are not energized or inspired. We are depleted. We are toast.

And that’s okay.

If you set some New Year’s Intentions or Resolutions and already fell off-track, that’s okay. That’s normal for humans. If you are a robot, on the other hand, no excuses!

For you human, we are here to help you course-correct.

*Guiding a Cacao and Sound Meditation journey at Mati’s Winter Warmer festival on January 4th.*

The key:
Fall in Love with the Journey

On January 4th, a group of us hosted the Winter Wellness, Reset & Renew full-day festival at Mati Yoga Studio.

I had the honor of opening the day with a Cacao and Sound experience, including a guided meditation to soften our guests into the New Year.

I wish I had a recording so that I could share it with our readers. Maybe I’ll make one for our YouTube channel. In the meantime, I thought I’d offer the theory behind the meditation.

Typically, we choose our New Year’s resolutions in a kind of waking daydream. We imagine who we’ll become after a year committed to our changes. We see ourselves stronger, healthier, more grounded, having made meaningful progress on something that matters to us. And this future self we create through our imaginations is important. This future-self is who we cultivate empathy for when we take inspired action. It helps us show up with devotion toward the long game.

And.. there’s a shadow side.

When we become attached to the destination, we exit the present moment. We begin living toward a version of ourselves that doesn’t yet exist in the body. The future self becomes a place we’re trying to arrive, rather than inspiration we’re breathing into our bodies in the Now.

This is where destination addiction creeps in.

We tell ourselves, I’ll feel better when… I’ll relax when… I’ll be okay once… I’ll begin when… I’ll focus when…

And in doing so, we overlook the only place transformation can actually occur: now.

The meditation was an invitation to let go of who we think we’re supposed to be on the other side of change, and to fall back in love with the process itself.

To remember that becoming isn’t something that happens later. It’s happening with every breath, every choice, every moment of presence.

I compared it to a yoga practice.

There is never a moment where we perfect a pose or a transition and think, “That’s it. I did it. I’m done.” And then never show up to practice again.

We return because we are in love with the practice itself.
With how we feel in the beginning.
How we feel in the middle.
How we feel at the end.

We show up because the journey keeps offering something alive, something new. The practice isn’t a means to an end. It is the relationship. It is the Universe experiencing itself. Relating to itself.

And we’re meant to apply this same orientation to all of our goals.

Looking ahead into the year, the question shifts from What am I trying to achieve? to something much more intimate:

Who am I becoming in the process of moving toward this?

How can I fall deeper in love with that version of myself. The one in the messy, sacred metamorphosis of becoming? The goo in the chrysalis. The in-between.

And where can I give myself grace?
Grace for the caterpillar.
Grace for the days that feel slow, heavy, or unclear.

And where, too, can I allow myself to spread my wings? To honor the moments when I am the butterfly? Capable, luminous, in motion.

The truth is, we are all of these stages at once. The practice is learning how to meet each one with tenderness.

The journey isn’t something to get through.

It’s something to fall in love with, again and again.

The opportunity to embrace the process is riding on the wings of your next inhale. So breathe in. And when you exhale, root deeper into your path. You got this.

Now for some updates…

Brotherhood Circle Update

The Brotherhood Circle is spreading a little bromance throughout Central Massachusetts. The men are cultivating strong roots of trust, presence, and integrity. It’s quite attractive to witness. Keep it up, gentlemen.

They recently completed their first book together, The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, held their second gathering at Root Awakening, and continue strengthening their bodies through Strength & Mobility classes at Mati.

That’s about all I know, because Chris keeps everything sealed tight inside their container.
(As it should be.)

If you’d like to learn more or feel called to join a future Brotherhood Circle, you can reach out directly to Chris at Chris@feedbackloopcoaching.com.

A Note on Instagram (and Dopamine)

Thank you so much for your support on our Feedback Loop Coaching Instagram. Many of you have noticed my style of expression coming through, and you’re spot on.

That said, I’m still only accessing Instagram through Chris’ phone. He continues to manage all communication and messaging through that platform.

I know my addictive personality well enough to be honest about this: I still don’t have a healthy relationship with the dopamine rush social media offers. Every once in a while, I’ll ask to read the comments on one of our posts, and before we know it, I’m completely zombified, scrolling mindlessly while the inner addict triumphantly demands, “More! More! More!”

Thank you for understanding. Maybe one day, when I’ve truly got a handle on it, I’ll return. Until then, thank you, Chris, for stewarding that space so responsibly.

And a big congratulations to Chris on the start of the spring semester of teaching at Roger Williams University!

Fundraiser Update

Due to the snow on Sunday, our fundraiser for our beloved teacher Jesse Lee Parker, who is preparing for surgery to repair a torn oblique muscle, was postponed.

Jesse has shared openly about the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of this chapter, including time away from teaching and a long recovery period. If you feel called to support his healing journey, donations of any size are deeply appreciated.

We will share an updated date for the fundraiser as soon as it’s rescheduled.

Upcoming In-Person Gatherings

February 7th, Saturday, 3:15 PM – 5:45 PM
Mystic Ecstatic Dance
Cambridge Dance Complex
A ritual dance journey for freaks, geeks, spirit seekers, dreamers, dancers, and sorcerers alike. All are welcome.

Come explore authentic movement, local music, and embodied presence. Guided by rhythm, ritual, and imagination.

February 14th, Saturday, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
The Art of Self-Love: Honoring the Beloved Within
Mati Yoga Studio

This Valentine’s Day, join Rachel for a heart-centered self-love journey rooted in Bhakti, the path of devotion, supported by the gentle medicine of Ceremonial Cacao.

So often, longing and desire are directed outward, toward relationships, validation, or the hope of being chosen. Bhakti offers a different orientation. It teaches that longing itself is sacred, and that what we are truly seeking through others is already alive within us.

Through Cacao ritual, a short Dharma talk, contemplative practices, and coaching tools, this workshop invites you into the most intimate relationship you will ever know: your relationship with yourself as the Beloved.

No prior experience with cacao, meditation, or Bhakti is required. You are welcome exactly as you are.

February 21st, Saturday
Sound Bath at Seed to Stem (Westborough)
Details coming soon—stay tuned.

February 22nd, Sunday 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Cacao Circle (Donation-Based)
Mati Yoga Studio

This gathering is especially close to my heart.

There were years in my entrepreneurial journey when I was so broke I couldn’t even afford to attend a yoga class. I was only able to join spirit-nourishing events by the grace of friends and loved ones. My relationship with Cacao developed during that time, and it means the world to me to offer this work on a donation basis once again.

We never know who is quietly struggling financially, and often that’s when spiritual nourishment is needed most.

Whether it’s your first circle or your fiftieth, you are welcome exactly as you are. Bring your favorite mug, a receptive heart, and a willingness to receive the love that flows when we gather in circle.

Coaching Update

In the second week of February, we will officially be opening our books again for:

1-on-1 Coaching
Law of Being Coaching
Group Coaching
ELI Debriefs & Milestone Debriefs
1-on-1 Cacao & Sound Journeys

If you’d like to be added to the waitlist, reach out and let us know.

One More Thing…

I also recently wrote a blog post for the Massachusetts Business Network titled
“Six Grounded Leadership Practices for Small Business Owners Who Are In It for the Long Haul.”

This piece is especially for those of you navigating the realities of entrepreneurship while trying to stay rooted in your values, your bodies, and your humanity. It weaves together leadership, sustainability, nervous system awareness, and the kind of grounded presence required to build something that lasts.

If you’re a small business owner, or love one, give it a read. May it offer support, understanding, and confidence. In and through the body.

A Closing Note for This Threshold

As we approach Imbolc on February 1st, the New Moon and Lunar New Year, and the Solar Eclipse on February 17th, many of us may feel that the collective is standing at a threshold.

These moments tend to stir soul whispers. They illuminate what is ready to be released and what is asking to be chosen with clarity and conviction. There is often an urge to move, to act, to begin, alongside an equally important invitation to pause long enough to listen.

The Year of the Fire Horse carries a particular frequency: clear, inspired action.

Not frantic motion.
Not forcing outcomes.
But movement born from alignment, vitality, and inner truth.

If you are feeling energized, restless, or aware that something wants to shift this year, that is not accidental. These cycles often reveal where our energy has been leaking and where it is ready to be focused.

This is where coaching can be especially supportive.

Coaching is not about being fixed, advised, or told what to do. It is a collaborative space designed to help you clarify what is true for you, regulate your nervous system, and translate insight into action that is sustainable and life-giving.

Together, we explore how your inner world is shaping your outer results, including your energy, beliefs, patterns, and feedback loops, and create space for conscious choice. From there, action becomes cleaner, less effortful, and more precise.

If you sense that this year is asking for more presence, more integrity, or more courage, and you would like support cultivating that with care and clarity, you may be perfectly timed for a coaching partnership.

Our books reopen in the second week of February, and you are welcome to reach out if something here resonates.

As you step forward, may you remember:

The process is the juiciest part.
Give yourself grace for life’s deviations.
Give yourself credit for every course-correction.
It is within those course-corrections that all your wisdom was gathered.

May this year meet you rooted, resourced, and madly in love with the journey.

With love,
Rachel (& Chris)

Happy 2026. Golden Future incoming.