What I am gratefully leaving behind

If 2025 had a theme, I didn’t recognize it at first. It wasn’t until much later—after self-reflection, quiet nights, and unexpected moments of clarity— I learned this is the Year of the Snake in the lunar cycle. A year of shedding. A year of letting old skins fall away. A year of transformation that doesn’t always look elegant while you’re in it. Far fucking from it…

Once I understood that, everything made sense.

This was a year that peeled back layers I’d been carrying for far too long—habits that dulled my instincts, people who took advantage of me and pulled me out of alignment, and stories about myself that were overdue for revision. Shedding isn’t always comfortable, but it’s honest. And this year asked for honesty in a way I couldn’t ignore.

Six Weeks of Stillness

My foot surgery forced me into a kind of stillness I’ve spent years outrunning. Six weeks on the couch—the universe’s way of saying, “Sit. Feel. Notice.” And I did. With nowhere to be and nothing to distract me, I began to see where I’d been overextending myself, and where I’d been accepting far less than I deserved.

Rest has a way of revealing the truth. And slowing down wasn’t the setback I feared—it was the reset I needed.

Letting Go of What Doesn’t Belong in My New Skin

As the year unfolded, I found myself letting go of relationships that no longer fit the woman I’m becoming. Some departures were quiet; others were louder than expected. But each one created space—clean, breathable space—for peace to settle in.

A significant realization this year: I will not invite chaos into my life ever again.
Not in love, not in work, not in friendship.
Peace thieves are not welcome.

Choosing My Circle With Intention

One of the clearest lessons of this year was understanding the strength of the circle I already have. I don’t need a massive network, nor do I crave endless connections. What I want—what I choose—is a small, steady group of people who have truly “had me” for years. The ones who show up without noise or conditions. The ones that don’t hide me in the background. The friends who have walked beside me for decades, and the family who anchors me even when the world tilts. This year reminded me how deeply grateful I am for them. I don’t need a crowded life; I need a good one, built around genuine people who bring warmth, honesty, and ease into my days.

A Lunar Year With Weight Behind It

I’ve lost count of how many people have told me they felt 2025 hit harder than usual. According to the lunar calendar—and especially in a Snake year—this is a period when truth rises, old emotional patterns loosen, and intuition strengthens whether you’re ready or not. It’s a year that asks us to shed, reconsider, and recalibrate.

When I learned this, I felt validated—like the universe had tapped me on the shoulder and said, You’re not imagining this. You’re evolving.

Looking Ahead: Growth With Intention

In January, I will begin my grief coach certification training—a path that feels like a natural extension of everything I’ve lived through and everything I want to offer. Grief is not just sorrow; it’s change. Transition. Shedding. Renewal. I’m ready to deepen this work with clarity and heart.

Professionally, I’m feeling genuinely excited about what’s ahead for the 2026 Vancouver International Wine Festival. With France taking the spotlight, there’s an opportunity to bring fresh energy to the city and the province. I want people to feel the same spark I do—curiosity, pride, and a sense of connection to something bigger than a single week on the calendar. There is real potential to ignite excitement across Vancouver and beyond, and I’m thrilled to help shape that momentum.

The Year That Brought Me Back to Myself

Stepping back, I can see how this year shaped me. It taught me to listen to my intuition early, not after the fact. It reminded me that peace isn’t something you stumble into—it’s something you choose. And it showed me that transformation doesn’t always come with a grand gesture; sometimes it looks like rest, release, and small acts of courage.

I’m ending 2025 feeling grounded, steady, and fully myself.

2025 Music Pairings: Break Free – Ariana Grande / Master of Puppets – Metallica

2025 Wine & Spirits Pairings: Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 / Jura 12 Year Single Malt Whisky

2026 Music Pairings: Fuck It I’m A Flower – Crying Day Care Choir / I Am Free – Coco & Breezy

I wish you health, wicked music, much laughter, and peace in 2026.

Love,

Christine