As we step into a new year, I want to begin by saying thank you for being here — for reading, reflecting, and walking alongside this work in whatever way feels right for you. Rather than making resolutions, I’m choosing to begin this year more gently. With reflection, observation, and attention to the small shifts that often shape our lives far more deeply than big declarations ever do. To support that way of beginning, I’ve created the Small Shifts Year Wheel and shared it as a New Year gift. It’s a simple, printable companion — not a plan to follow or a checklist to complete — but something you can return to as the months unfold. We’ll be using this wheel as a reference point throughout the year, revisiting it seasonally and allowing it to guide our reflections rather than dictate them. Living Lightly Worldwide continues to evolve too. What began as the sharing of hands-on, land-based practice is gradually becoming a broader learning space — one that brings together self-paced courses, mentoring, and community reflection, all rooted in permaculture as a way of seeing, living, and relating. Over the coming months, I’ll be introducing additional courses and mentoring programmes, each designed to support slow, thoughtful learning rather than quick fixes. Some will be suitable for quiet, independent study; others will offer opportunities to reflect and learn together, over time. As always, these will be offered with flexibility and care — you’ll be able to engage at a depth and pace that fits your life. Throughout all of this, the heart of the work remains the same. We’ll continue to use land and living systems as teachers — because they make patterns visible — while keeping our attention on Zone 0: ourselves. Our energy, wellbeing, relationships, and capacity are not side notes to this work; they are central to it. This is not a year to keep up with, optimise, or complete. It’s a year to notice, to tend, and to respond gently. If you’ve downloaded the Small Shifts Wheel, you might pin it somewhere visible, or simply let it sit in the background of your life. One small shift is enough. Some months may pass quietly. Others may ask more of you. All of it counts.

Lovely to have you here Sally. Feel free to write a few words of introduction and to say hello. Along the top menu bar you should see "classroom". Click on that to find the first course.

Let's start the year with a meaningful practice; one that will last the course of the year and not just fade away or be abandoned, like most new year's resolutions. I'm talking about Reflections. In order to reflect, we need to have first observed. Observation is a key principle in permaculture design. I've created a wheel that we can use throughout the year to remind us of each month's focus. January: Noticing energy Energy in the natural landscape Energy in your home Energy in your body, mind, spirit There is plenty to reflect on through the month. I'll be posting regular thoughts, comments and questions. Feel free to join in and discuss, or just quietly meditate on your own. There is no pressure here to comment or participate; do so only if it serves you. Protect your own energy and have a very blessed 2026.

Dear friends, I want to begin by saying thank you. By being here at the beginning of Living Lightly Worldwide, you are helping to shape what this space becomes. Founding a community is not just about content — it is about trust, tone, and shared intention — and your presence matters more than you might realise. I’m very happy to let you know that the first course, A Beginner’s Guide to Living Lightly — on and off the land, in body, mind, and spirit, is now live in the Classroom. This course is offered as a gentle place to begin. There is no right pace, no expectation to complete anything, and no pressure to participate in any particular way. You are welcome to read, reflect, return, or simply let ideas settle. What matters most to me is not that we all agree, but that this space feels safe, respectful, and human. Although we may come from different countries, cultures, and belief systems, those divisions are largely human-made. Beneath them, we are all people — shaped by land, history, and circumstance — connected here only by geography and time zones, which is why this space exists online. If you feel comfortable, I would love to invite you to share in the comments: - something from the course that resonated - an experience from your own life or place - or a hope or desire you carry around living more lightly There is no need to explain yourself or perform insight. Listening is just as welcome as speaking. My hope is that, over time, this community grows into something that feels less like a platform and more like trusted family — a place where curiosity, care, and honesty are held gently. Thank you again for being here, and for helping this space come into being. With warmth, Cath 🌿