Hello dear reader,
Welcome to 2026! It's January 5, the start of the first full week of the new year. If you're like me, this year already feels like a lot to handle. I'm finding myself revolting against the idea of New Year's resolutions more than usual (no, I am not looking for a "new year, new me" - I'd actually like to just see more of existing me, however imperfect she may be...). I think the idea of a resolution feels so ultra-incompatible with my stance this year because, to me, it feels like adaptability is going to be central to the year ahead. Trying to hold myself to a rigid expectation of really anything at all feels like pre-gaslighting the version of me who doesn't succeed when the circumstances all suddenly change again. It's hard to predict capacity in an environment of uncertainty, and I think the most loving thing we can do for ourselves and each other is to allow things to work out in ways that maybe weren't what we planned and to listen to what we need in the moment, especially when we're trying to process change (and perhaps the consequent grief) that's happening around and within us.
That said, I do want to keep in mind who and how I want to be - how I want to show up in the world, with others, with my family, etc, and how I want to feel as I move through each day. And one element of that is to be someone who is creating the things she wants to put out into the world, even if it's only as micro-steps forward at a time.
I've been wanting to get this email newsletter started for a verrryyyy long time. To be honest, I've been worried that I wouldn't have anything "valuable" to say or wouldn't have the time/mental energy to sustain it. But I'm coming to believe that the point isn't in "providing value", but is instead in connection and in putting voice to the ideas that are percolating. I am deeply craving more thoughtful conversations about how we exist as humans in a changing world... I know that I want to hear your ideas and interpretations, so maybe we just get the conversation started here, even if it starts out a little bumpy? This email newsletter is my attempt to do that, so I welcome you to reply and let me know what you're thinking or what's happening in your world, too!
My plan is for each email to contain an update on what's happening in the various spaces in which I create and/or curate. Truthfully, I don't know right now what the cadence will be for new material in each of these spaces, but I know I have a desire for more conversations (check out the re-branded Un-Paradigmed podcast), more writing (in The Space in Between over on Substack and possibly a separate blog on my website), and more connection (I'll be including some of my offers/what I'm working on in my growing coaching business).
I also promise that future newsletters will be much shorter than this one! For today, I wanted to give context around what's happening here, but moving forward, you can expect a much more minimalistic roundup of what's happening in the various spaces. If anything resonates, I'd love to hear what's on your mind! Reach out by replying to this email anytime.
Until next time, wishing you peace and fulfillment!
On the Podcast
UnParadigmed: New episodes to be released soon!
I'm REALLY excited to be getting the podcast going again. The new theme will be all about noticing and questioning the cultural stories that influence who we are and how we behave, as well as what else our lives could look like if we set down some of these stories. I'm not a historian or a psychologist, but these are the types of questions that have been drawing my attention recently, and I'm excited to dig deeper. If it sounds interesting to you, too, come along and we can learn together!
The previous episodes from The Sequel to a PhD Podcast will still be available, to honor that that was also part of the process of building the podcast's body of work. Check out those previous episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/un-paradigmed/id1653463331
On Substack
The Space in Between
Over on Substack, I have very slowly started to put down some thoughts. This is very much a work-in-progress and doesn't have much there yet, but you can check out the previous posts here: https://shirleymarkant.substack.com/
On the Blog/Website
A while ago, I created a workbook with some prompts to help center decision-making and leadership around what's most important to you. It's called the Rooted Leadership Rituals Workbook. You can get it for free here: https://www.shirleymarkantcoaching.com/resources
Connect with Me and/or Work with Me
My schedule is currently open to take on a few more individual coaching clients over the next few months. I'm currently offering entrepreneurial mindset coaching as well as more general life coaching for individuals who feel stuck in some area of their life, whether that's in their business, career moves, family/relationships, or making progress on an elusive dream or goal. Reach out (info@sequeltoaphd.com) if you'd like to learn more.
Thanks for reading!
