Moving into our Rooted era

2025 was a good year. A year I will forever feel grateful for and all the changes that it held and the way it took me from where I was to where I am now.

I’ll forever be thankful for 2025.

I sent a blind resume and inquiry to Hands on Therapy at the end of 2024 when my previous employer made it clear productivity was more important than patient care and providing specialized services to our families.

From the minute 2025 started I was in limbo…attending interviews virtually and then in person with 3 clinics in Alaska and being reminded of my worth as a therapist by potential employers. By March I had made my final decision, accepted a position at HOT and in April I put in my notice.

The entirety of the first 5 months involved massive downsizing and so. many. decisions. It was exhausting, stressful and while I don’t think I ever second guessed my decisions…there was obviously massive anxiety and apprehension about making such a huge move.

But from the minute we arrived it has felt like home in so many ways. Things came into place just naturally…

*the property bought sight unseen…perfect

*the pack expanding seamlessly…inconceivable

*neighbors and people I’d only “met” online quickly became friends…irreplaceable

*adventures begin out our front door and are boundless…unbelievable

And then I started work and while yes…it’s still very much work hah…it’s been one of the greatest gifts of this year. To move across the continent, knowing but a handful of people and starting a job that is a different model from anything I’ve ever done before was daunting but 5 months in and I can easily say I am BLESSED to get to be apart of this team. My co-workers are the most passionate, caring and dedicated to continuing to grow and learn professionals I have ever known let alone gotten to work with…it’s inspiring to be amongst therapists who approach the work we do in a similar way. And having been apart of many teams of sorts over the years I know the environment that has been fostered at HOT doesn’t just happen by luck and I’m so thankful to have by chance decided to email Melissa (literally on a whim and simply because I had remembered driving by the clinic many times during my month in Fairbanks) because this place she created and nurtures is a truly magical place to work. My co-workers in addition to being amazing therapists have also quickly become more than co-workers and I feel like in 5 months I have not just acquired a strong work team but truly a work family.

Alaska is cold, but truly Fairbanks is the golden heart city. And the thing about it being cold is that it fosters community and compassion and concern that doesn’t exist in abundance most other places these days. My community in Fairbanks and Alaska is larger and stronger and more dependable than anywhere I’ve ever lived and while I’ve always been one to happily and honestly state I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies in my pocket…it is quite a gift to feel like in a pinch someone would actually show up or show out to help if I needed it.

The trade off of course has been moving 5000 miles away from all my friends and family back home. Thankful for technology and the multitude ways to keep us connected (and LOVE that I have several amazing penpals that bless my mailbox with happy mail regularly and keep in touch in that manner)!

Hoping in 2026 we can settle and continue to thrive in our new community in only the way time and experience allows. We hope to take Manley on some trips to share parts of the state only Jip and I have seen with the whole pack and explore some new places together as well. I have some summer building/property goals and hope to jump back into some triathlons this summer. And who knows…we probably have some other plans up our sleeves as well that only time will tell how they all unfold.

But as we jump into January and a new year the hum of “what will the year hold?” is the background noise throughout my day. Last year I started the year with a few months of monthly intentions rather than a year long resolution of sorts and that felt very successful and manageable. It was short lived…since as things got packed up and goals and priorities for the year shifted with the upcoming move and complete life 360. So…giving it a try again for 2026. Starting the month with some simple goals…it’s been a cold and at times difficult as a result, December and lead into January and I want to be kind to myself and not set myself up for failure hah

JANUARY GOALS

• Read at least 2 books
• Write at least 4 letters (not including holiday Thank You cards)
• Complete photo book of our drive to Alaska
• Complete 4 craft projects
  • 2 x paw print ornaments
  • Wooble kit
  • Tock’s stepping stone
  • watercolor wood plaque
• Strength/Core workout 3 x week
• Daily writing prompt 4 x week
• Finalize Storyworth book
• Organize loft
• Create a budget (including signing up for health insurance and restarting retirement savings)
• Blog or Vlog at least 2 x a month

There’s a few other things I’d like to do/accomplish but I don’t want to set myself up for failure right out of the gate and there are still plenty of months left to fill with things to accomplish 🙂

January is going to be a challenging month at work as I really am going into the 3 weeks with a bad attitude about my schedule and in addition it’s just a challenging caseload for the month; however, anyone can do anything for 15 days…right?! Just a little bit of a bummer that the temperatures are going to improve for the first time in weeks right when I go back to work and when my schedule gets a bit less flexible but…there is still lots of winter left and hopefully with meal prepping and organization we’ll be able to capitalize on the hours outside of work better than I was able to in December.