Week 02, 2026
ℱ𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝓸𝓊𝓇𝓈... 🫶💌☕
As we move into the new year, Shetland feels quietly transformative. Snow drifts, frost on the windows, and the coldest temperature yet at -12°C with wind chill… not quite Alaska, but enough to make you appreciate a warm cuppa. ❄️
We’ve just had the Wolf Moon, and if you haven’t already, check out Colin Durrant’s beautiful capture — a gentle reminder of nature’s rhythms.
2026 is the year of the Fire Horse, symbolising courage, vitality, and forward movement. After a period of rest and reflection, I feel that this energy invites us to step into the new year with presence, steadiness, and intention… moving mindfully, not rushing.
Even small gestures (such as slowing down, tuning into your breath, and/or offering attention) ripple outward, supporting safety, connection, and presence.
As we enter January, I invite you to remember to:
feel your body,
notice your capacity to be present,
and hold space for yourself and others without urgency.
The new year often feels big, but leaning into your rhythms, taking mindful steps, and grounding in the body allows you to begin 2026 gently… with steadiness, presence, and heart.
Notice, Pause & Hold Space
Sometimes, when we’re supporting others (at home, at work, or in life) we forget that our own nervous system is part of the conversation too.
We may feel pulled, wanting to “fix” or soothe, whilst our body quietly whispers:
“slow down, notice, breathe.”
It can be tempting to move fast or match someone else’s pace. The gentlest, most stabilising thing we can do (whether for a client, loved one, or ourselves) is to move slowly together.
Spacious relational awareness is about tuning in:
Your own heartbeat and tension.
Your capacity to be present.
Another person’s experience.
It’s about:
Paying attention to your own responses without judgement.
Moving at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.
Creating space where both people can feel seen, heard, and respected.
Even noticing your own sensations gives permission for others to slow down too. When we track ourselves while tracking someone else, we model safety, patience, and care.
Quietly affirm:
“I am here,
I am present,
and I can move
at my own pace.”
Sometimes, safety isn’t about fixing the situation. It’s about holding the space:
A space where each breath matters.
A space where we don’t rush.
A space where connection itself becomes regulating.
Safety
can be experienced
through gentle connection.
In this kind of relational presence, we can notice:
When the body tightens.
When the voice rises or softens.
When the mind wants to intervene.
…and respond with curiosity rather than urgency.
This is the essence of co-regulation: being with, not doing to.
I invite you to visualise a room
where both your body
and heart
can breathe freely.
Imagine (if you can), or feel into, a space where:
Movement, stillness, and silence coexist.
There is room to notice.
There is room to reflect.
There is room to feel.
As we wrap up this week’s theme, I invite you to remember:
You don’t need to solve everything today.
Your presence, gentle attention, and slowing down can be enough.
With spaciousness, patience, and heart, we can move through the world together… one mindful step at a time.
Until next time,
Take care.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒢𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓉𝓊𝒹𝑒,
🙏 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒶 𝓍𝑜
P.S.
The Somatic Lab has shifted this year — it’s now a container, not a single offering.
Each week will include:
Downloadable video and audio
Closed captions
An attached transcript (available via Substack; not sure about email — please let me know for feedback)
A separate written letter, with a weekly intro and nature photo(s) from me to you — a little extra you won’t find in the videos 🌻
Dip in when it feels good, step back when you need, return again — however you engage, make it yours.
One change since our last letter:
Week four in the Somatic Lab will now be Somatic Snacks — bite-sized, body-focused practices that you can drop into your day. I hope these become useful micro-anchors for you.
Dreamweaver (originally intended for week four) has moved into a new section, Dana’s Diary. It didn’t sit quite right in the Lab — these somatic reflections feel more at home as written journal entries: written, not spoken; to be witnessed, not guided.
Essentially, the Somatic Lab will contain free embodied self-regulation resources for you and Dana’s Diary will be my personal journey.
I’d love to hear from you along the way. Your feedback helps shape this space, and if you’ve written anything that complements my offerings, feel free to share links back to your own letters — community over competition here, always 🫶
