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Finding flow, creativity, and movement in mid-winter
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Real-life reflections on growth, creativity, and staying grounded.

Welcome to the January edition, you wonderful human!


Can I just love on you a minute here?

๐Ÿ’•


The world needs more people like you. 


The ones who care deeply.
Who want to make their communities a little better.
Who still believe in humanity - and keep showing up even when itโ€™s messy and imperfect.


I see you out there.

And Iโ€™m genuinely honored to have you here, in this little corner of the internet with me. ๐ŸŒฑ

Here we are.   


The first few weeks of 2026 are - โˆš done. 


That all out sprint energy is starting to feel... well... a little unsustainable. 

And we are nearing the dead of winter. 

The holidays have faded and our big, fun plans seem far away. 


Emotionally, this season carries a tone of stillness, dormancy, and endurance. 

(Not exactly our favorite flavor of motivation)

On the surface, it can look like nothing is happening. 


Like all the effort is showing no reward. 


When in reality... this is an essential phase of underground growth. 


Believe it or not, there is opportunity here-


To find your quiet flow,

Move through the middle,

and practice showing up for yourself. 


Move through.


Fun fact: I am passionate about movement. 


"If exercise was a pill, it would be considered a miracle drug." - me ๐Ÿ˜


My clients may have picked up on this - maybe from the bicycles hanging in the background of our Zoom sessions. Or from a recurring theme in my social media posts.

What may be a little more subtle is the reality of my daily practices - and my deeply held belief that movement can enrich every aspect of your life.


After nearly 15 years in nursing, Iโ€™ve found one thing to be trueโ€ฆ when it comes to talking about lifestyle change, the generic "diet and exercise" advice is oversimplified, prescriptive and lacks heart.  


And it's not helping anyone.  

(Trust me, I know. I used to dish it out multiple times a day ๐Ÿ˜ณ) 


So... before you get all weird and close the email because an RN said the words "diet and exercise" - take a deep breath and trust - 

My goal here is not to deliver a lecture on what I think you should be doing with your life. 

What I can share with certainty is my own experience. And here's the reality: 

I commit to intentional movement

every. single. day.


While it's looked different throughout seasons of my life, the benefits are endless:


Movement supports my mental, physical, and emotional health. It inspires me to be more creative, confident, and connected.  

So, why are you sharing this, Abby? 


Because *especially right now* I see how modern portrayals of exercise can feel inaccessible, rigid, or all-or-nothing. 


And I also see how profoundly movement transforms peopleโ€™s lives when theyโ€™re supported in finding their way.


So if nothing else, hereโ€™s what Iโ€™d love for you to take with you:


Youโ€™re allowed to move in ways that feel good.
Your Why matters.
And every bit of it counts. ๐Ÿ’ซ

๐Ÿ‘‰ Stop the excuses and get creative. 


Ok... so remember in the very beginning when I said how much I love you?!


Consider this a loving kick in the pants.


Your excuses are stealing your power ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

People tell me all the time that they want more physical activity in their life.


But "I can't because..." 

No gym membership. Bad weather.

Not enough time. Physical limitations. No space. No money. 


I've heard it all- and lemmi tell ya... when this is your story, you are limiting yourself! 
Options narrow- it becomes an impossible task. 


When I was the RN for Cadets at the NC Highway Patrol Training Academy our tough love approach looked like this: 


Oh, you blew out your knee? Cool. Good thing your arms still work: You're on upper body and core only protocol. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ 

Maybe that's a little too hardcore... but here's the thing:


Most of the time - not always, but most of the time - if you choose to get creative with the resources you do have, there is a way to move your body that supports what you need. 


Key word: choose. 

Yep- you have a choice. 


And I want to challenge you to step into some radical self-responsibility here... 


If you choose not toโ€ฆ that is totally cool, own it!  

Own your reason. Own your agency. Own what you actually need for your wellbeing.


Just donโ€™t give your power away by blaming an external circumstance for a choice thatโ€™s yours to make. ๐Ÿ™ 



Reflection moment:

 

Pause here with me. And if you feel inspired, grab a pen and paper. 


If adding more movement into your life is something you want,

pause and ask yourself - Why?


What do you want movement to give you right now?
How do you want it to feel in your body?


Thereโ€™s no right answer - Whatever you uncover is worth listening to.

Move it!


You don't have to pound it out at the gym for your activity to "count". 


๐ŸŒŸ If all movement counts, what's possible?


๐ŸŒŸ How can you honor your Why right now?


A few years ago, right before COVID hit, I joined a Krav Maga gym and essentially learned how to kick someone's ass in the name of self-defense. Photo: me kicking my sister's ass in a women's workshop ๐Ÿ˜œ

It was physically challenging. Mentally exhausting. I was covered with bruises all the time.

What was my Why?  To meet new people. To learn a new skill. To have fun, feel powerful.  

In another season of life, I joined an Inner Tube Water Polo league at the local YMCA.


Yep, you read that right. 

It was ridiculous - I would be sore for days after our games from laughing so hard. 


My Why? well, it was ... why not?

Ah, then there was the dead-middle of COVID lockdown (not pictured)... 


After stressful nursing shifts wearing an N-95 for 10 hours a day, I would come home, drag a dirty exercise mat into the backyard and work through Shaun-T's Insanity program. 


The goal then (to put it bluntly) was to find an physical outlet for my rage.

Oh, and get some fresh air.  

These days... I'm challenging myself in a different capacity. 


I've found my edge on the opposite side of an all-out effort: longer, slower pace activity that is borderline-boring. ๐Ÿ˜ฒ


Sometimes my movement is breath work, sometimes it's long endurance rides on the bike, or yin yoga. 


In this season, my Why is - mental clarity, stress management, and finding creative flow through movement. 

A challenge for you:


How can you get creative, honor your Why, have a little fun, and actually follow through on your movement goals?


Whether youโ€™re training for a marathon, rebuilding self-confidence, investing in longevity, or wanting to be strong enough to hold your grandkids - there is no one โ€œrightโ€ way to move.


You have permission to start small, go at your own pace, be a beginner again, and ask for help.๐ŸŒฑ


I truly believe you have the creative capacity to build a movement practice that feels supportive, sustainable, and fulfilling.


And if youโ€™d like support getting started, or staying consistent- Iโ€™m right here

A gift. 


Want to know my favorite way to find my flow state?


You, know, that place where your mind feels free, you are inspired, and you feel deeply immersed in movement or a creative act...

Itโ€™s music  ๐Ÿ™Œ


For a bit of motivation - Iโ€™ve made a playlist for you: Rooted Grooves.


Itโ€™s a collection of songs that remind me of my own journey - and the journeys I witness every day with my clients. Some of them are songs my clients have shared with me - music that mirrors what theyโ€™ve been moving through.


I hope you find it meaningful, that it makes you smile,

and inspires you to move in whatever way feels right. ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Workshops and Happenings:

While, lots of things are brewing below the surface... 

No new events to announce!  


๐ŸŒŸ This is a great time to chime in ๐ŸŒŸ


What do you want to see more of?

What workshops would be helpful?


Just reply to this email- I'm all ears. 

Just in case you missed it: 


I was a guest on the Don't Eat Your Young Nursing Podcast in late December! 

Give it a listen if you want to hear learn more about Nurse Coaching and my personal journey to becoming a coach. (30ish mins).


Thank you for reading, connecting with me, and shining your light. 


Feel free to hit reply and share what's resonating, or pass this along to a friend. 

Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com


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Abby Kent Coaching, PLLC, 401 Bledsoe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

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