Ujima Retreat Center

When we hear the words New Year, we often think of resolutions. We imagine a fresh start filled with new habits, new goals, and a burst of motivation. But that isn’t usually what happens. More often, the beginning of the year is a season of endings.

1. Stop Being the Martyr Stressed woman at work This often shows up as: Always being the “strong one” Saying yes when your body is saying no Being the person everyone calls in a crisis Putting your own grief, exhaustion, or needs on hold Telling yourself, “I’ll rest later,” or “Other people have it worse.” You do not have to constantly help others to be worthy, valuable, or “good enough.” If you are wounded, exhausted, or depleted, continuing to serve others at the expense of

The holiday season carries a familiar rhythm: cooking large meals, navigating travel, spending long hours with extended family, and trying to enjoy it all without becoming overwhelmed. These gatherings can be meaningful, but they can also be demanding. Most families move between excitement and exhaustion — preparing food, coordinating schedules, entertaining guests, and keeping peace in the house. The reality is straightforward: holidays require energy, and even the most lovi

By Shanelle Koroma LPHA, LCSW, Ujima Retreat Center Lately, I’ve been using the natural rhythm of fall, with its cool air, colors, and slower pace, as a way to help my clients (and myself) reconnect to calm. The nervous system responds so well to seasonal changes when we learn to move with them instead of against them. Fall gives us the perfect opportunity to practice slowing down, grounding, and noticing. These are a few simple ways I’ve been inviting both myself and my ther