When I wake up, before I reach for my phone or place one foot on the floor, I try to put a hand over my heart, take one deep breath, and greet myself: “Hi, Friend.”
I didn’t always greet myself this way. I spent many years viewing myself as my own adversary.
I’ve learned though, that greeting myself this way connects me to myself and sets a tone of tenderness for my day to come.
I’ve also learned that kindness turned inward is the most potent medicine in the world.
Like you, I’m certainly not immune to the harshness of inner critical thoughts, but this simple morning greeting goes a long way to shifting my internal climate.
I’d like to greet you this way each morning too.
More than that, I’d like to invite you, as I do each year, to pause more to recognize and savor the nourishment that fills your life right now.
Imagine a holiday season that truly feeds you.
Imagine finding daily sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
Imagine feasts that don’t leave you sick and stuffed, but instead leave you satiated and deeply pleasured.
Imagine closing out the year in deeper relationship with yourself.
If this is the kind of holiday season that you hunger for,
one that will truly nourish you, Savor can help.
Who
Savor is perfect if you’re hungry for quiet grounding, if this year has put you through the wringer, or if you’re seeking an eco-friendly, affordable, unexpected gift for family or friends.
Are you new here and curious about me? Hi! I’m Rachel. I’m so glad you’re here and you can get all the details about the voice behind Savor over here.
What
Savor is a series of writings and short audio meditations, covering a range of topics, (self-compassion, winter traditions, and holiday eating), all aimed at helping you slow down and end the year connected and calm.
When
Notes and meditations are delivered Monday through Friday beginning the week of American Thanksgiving and running through December 31st.
How
Each email you receive contains either a note or a link to listen to that day’s practice. While the practices cannot be downloaded, they can be played on desktop and mobile devices.
The cost for a Savor subscription is $40
Praise for Savor
“Savor provides a gorgeous and meaningful mindfulness practice. Rachel’s poetic and calming presence beams through in perfectly-timed meditations on purposeful topics. It’s just what I envisioned to support me in crafting a mindful season!” — Julie F.
“This was truly a magnificent experience for me. It was a practice I looked forward to engaging in every morning and was a wonderful way for me to set the tone for my day. I’m already looking forward to the next one.” — Carolynn A.
“I looked forward each day to receiving the Savor practices. They provided me with a sense of grounding and perspective during a very busy time of year. I loved the balance of wisdom shared and time for inner reflection. The practices are not overly long and the cost of the program is very reasonable. If you are curious and looking for a little more lightness during your holiday season I would encourage you to try Savor!” — Jean P.
“Savor was a beautiful, simple practice for my December mornings. I loved hearing Rachel’s voice as it guided me through some very big events in the end of my year, including my own illness and the death of a relative.” — Esme W.
“When I signed up for Savor, I was unsure what to expect. I’ve followed Rachel for a while through her blog and knew that her paradigm was one in which I was fully aligned. I figured it would be a nice treat for myself, something easy to sink into as I headed into the busy holiday season. Well, this program was beyond my expectations.” — Beth R.
“Rachel’s Savor practices have honestly been the best 10 minutes of my day every day for the past six weeks. It was such a treat to tune in to Rachel’s calm and soothing voice each morning, and to tune out the 'noise' in my head.” — Nina D.
“I find I am able to actually be guided by Rachel. Something I have never been able to do in the years I’ve been meditating. This in itself is wonderful. Moreover, Rachel’s meditations are making me feel much much more at ease with myself. Much more able to love myself as I am...I am deeply grateful to Rachel for this.” — Marina S.
“Savor is for you. It’s a chance to show up for yourself, just as you are. At a time of year when everything is tugging at us, wanting our energy and attention, to practice, with Rachel’s gentle voice, taking time for ourselves is a beautiful experience and one that I will carry forward beyond the Savor experience.” — Kathryn S.
Real talk, does it feel like the world is falling apart?
When I offer Savor, I offer the practices that I need and I practice alongside all who partake.
This year I’m particularly hungry for quiet, stillness, and to hear the sound of my own inner voice.
This year I’m particularly hungry for familiar end-of-year traditions, being cozy with my dearest, and for simplicity.
This year I’m particularly hungry for recharging so that I have something in the tank for the year ahead.
If it feels like the world is falling apart that’s because it is. We are in a process of breaking down so that something new can be born.
Living through this process of decay and erosion is difficult and at times overwhelming. Whether it’s geopolitical crises or existentially threatening climate change, we are living in an uncertain time.
All the while, there is a deafening static noise whirring around us as we endlessly scroll on our phones and click on the latest gun massacre headline or flash sale announcement from our favorite brand. We are blanketed by pressure to make money, watch what we eat, prepare for the next natural disaster, protect our children, and check off our endless to-do lists.
Amidst this whirring, a most essential voice gets drowned out: our own.
So I have an invitation to you and to me.
Let’s take these last few weeks of the year and turn off the news.
Let’s get still.
Let’s listen.
Let’s Savor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give Savor as a gift?
Absolutely! Savor makes an unexpected, easy, eco-friendly gift for friends and family, near or far. Here’s how it works.
When you go to check out you will see a checkbox that says “This product is for someone else”. Click that box and enter your recipient’s information.
You will also see a checkbox that says “This is a gift”. Check that box and enter the date you want them to be notified. I recommend November 24th, the day before we begin. You may then also enter a personalized note to your giftee.
Is Savor an e-course?
No. These are simple, daily audio meditations that serve to inspire and guide you during the holiday season. There is no lesson plan or homework. You can use the Savor recordings and practices as often or as little as is helpful to you. You may see the word “course” on the platform that I host the recordings on but Savor is not, in fact, an e-course.
Is there a community component?
No. There is no discussion board or a private Facebook group. My experience is that we have enough going on in our lives during this time of year and Savor is meant to make your life better and easier, not create more ways for you to be online.
I’m busy, will Savor take up a lot of my time?
I know your lives are full, mine is too, and these gentle audio recordings are powerful and brief. Most practices last about 10 minutes.
Do I have to practice in the morning?
Not at all. The recordings will be sent out each day at 1 AM PST but you can listen to them anytime that works for you. The morning is the time of day that works for many listeners, but you decide what works for you. Recordings remain available for the full duration of Savor.
I already have a meditation and/or morning practice, would Savor be overdoing it?
Savor would be an excellent add-on to any daily practice, be it meditation, journaling, yoga, or even driving your kids to school. Because they take about 10 minutes or less, you can easily listen to the meditations before, after, or during an existing practice for a boost of inspiration and reflection.
What does it cost?
The nearly six weeks of Savor audio practices is $40.
Do I get to download/keep the recordings?
No. You are purchasing a subscription and access lasts until the first week of January next year. You can replay the recordings as often as you’d like during the six or so weeks of Savor.
I am a returning subscriber, will the recordings be new or are they repeated from year’s past?
As always, it’s a mix of new and old recordings. Familiar friends and fresh practices.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Email me!
