Embracing Transitions: Reflections from the End of Year Good Tidings and Cheer Wellness Workshop
- Community 247
- Dec 27, 2025
- 3 min read
The shift from one year to the next offers a unique chance to pause, reflect, and set intentions for what lies ahead. On Saturday, December 27, Community 247 hosted the End of Year Good Tidings and Cheer Wellness Workshop, a gathering designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit as we leave 2025 behind and welcome 2026. This event, led by Kelli Johnson, founder of Community 247, combined thoughtful reflection, creative expression, and physical movement to help participants embrace transitions and start the new year in good health.
Reflecting on Transitions and Intentions
Kelli opened the event with a moment of reflection, inviting attendees to consider two important questions:
What are you looking forward to stepping away from in 2025? And what are you excited to step into in 2026?
This simple exercise encouraged everyone to acknowledge the past year's challenges and growth while focusing on hopeful possibilities.
The concept of transition was central to the discussion. Kelli shared insights from a Connection Group conversation about how transitions mark a movement from one state to another. She described it as walking through a door, where the space in the middle represents a neutral zone between an ending and a new beginning. This metaphor helped participants understand that transitions are natural and necessary for growth.
By recognizing this neutral space, attendees could embrace uncertainty without fear, seeing it as an opportunity to reset and prepare for positive change. This mindset supports mental health awareness by encouraging self-compassion and patience during times of change.
Using Creativity to Set Intentions
After the reflection, participants engaged in a hands-on activity: decorating doormats. This creative exercise allowed everyone to express their intentions for the new year on a blank canvas. Using their hands to craft symbols, words, and designs helped reduce anxiety and promote mindfulness.
Research shows that creative activities like crafting can lower stress hormones such as cortisol and reduce symptoms of depression. The doormats became personal reminders of the transition process—stepping away from old patterns and stepping into new possibilities. This symbolic act reinforced the idea that starting the new year in good health involves both mental and emotional preparation.
Moving the Body to Nourish the Mind
The event concluded with line dance instruction led by Melissa, owner of Heartmovez Fitness. This lively activity encouraged participants to move their feet and enjoy the benefits of physical exercise. Movement increases endorphins, which improve mood and reduce feelings of pain and stress.
Physical activity also supports mental health awareness by helping regulate the central nervous system. When combined with quiet reflection and creative expression, movement completes a holistic approach to wellness. Dancing together created a joyful atmosphere that strengthened community bonds and left everyone feeling energized.
Taking Steps Into 2026
The End of Year Good Tidings and Cheer Wellness Workshop demonstrated how nourishing the mind, using the hands, and moving the feet can work together to support well-being. This approach offers practical benefits:
Slows down the mind to notice patterns and areas for improvement
Encourages setting clear, intentional goals for the future
Reduces anxiety and depression through creative expression
Lowers stress hormones and inflammation
Boosts mood and physical health through exercise
Balancing mental health awareness with physical and creative activities can create a strong foundation for a healthier new year. This event provided tools and experiences that participants can carry forward into their daily lives.
As we move into 2026, we're eager to learn which types of workshops and topics you'd like us to host. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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