Development Digest - November/December 2025
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
- Socrates
Introducing Our 2026 Personal Development Program
As we approach a new year, many of us feel a quiet nudge to pause, reflect, and choose how we want to move forward. Not from pressure or perfectionism, but from an authentic longing to grow, heal, and create a life that feels meaningful and aligned with our values and desired outcome. This is the heart behind our 2026 with Annette and Ada personal development program - a guided, intentional beginning to a year of transformation.
Over the years, we’ve seen how powerful it can be when our clients start the year with clarity. ~ When you take the time to understand where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and what is calling for change, the entire year unfolds differently. Instead of reacting to life, you begin responding to it with purpose.
2026 with Annette and Ada is designed for those of you who would like to focus on your coaching and make it a priority in your life, and for those of you who have been working hard with us and want to set clear, identifiable goals for the coming year.
During Session 1, Checking In With Where You’ve Been, we’ll take a compassionate look at 2025 to determine what has supported you, challenged you, and what you would have liked to be different. You’ll also take our 10 Areas of Personal Development Coaching Inventory. This step is about awareness, acceptance, and honoring your journey.
In Session 2, Discovering Where You Want to Go and Why, we will explore your intentions for 2026. Not just goals, but the deeper “why” behind them. Whether you are seeking healing, growth, stability, or expansion, we will help you uncover what is calling to you and why it matters.
Session 3, Mapping Out How You Are Going to Get There, is when the fun really begins! We will craft a personalized coaching plan with you that aligns with your values, supports your emotional capacity, and offers clear, actionable steps. This session is where insight becomes action.
And in Session 4, Let’s Get Started!, we begin your first monthly check-in of the year, establishing the rhythm that will carry you through 2026. You will leave this session celebrating your progress so far and excited about what is to come.
We created this program because growth happens most naturally when you feel supported, understood, and guided in a consistent and structured way. Our intention is to walk with you – not just for four weeks, but all year long – as you create a life filled with purpose, progress, and peace.
We would love to be part of your journey in 2026! If you are interested in incorporating this program into your coaching, please email us.
Trust
During December on our Morning Intentions podcast, we are exploring a theme that touches every part of our lives: TRUST. Not the blind kind, and not the forced kind – but trust as a gentle willingness to lean into uncertainty with openness instead of control.
Throughout the month, we are looking at trust through three supportive lenses:
Last week, we discussed choosing love over fear. Can you recognize the Voice for Fear in your mind? Do you know when the Voice for Love is showing itself, even in challenging situations? Fear and love shape the quality of our decisions, our relationships, and our inner peace. When fear drives us, we contract; when love leads, we soften, use discernment, and become available to new possibilities.
This week, we are focusing on trusting what you have already learned in your personal development journey. Part of growth is remembering who you have become, honoring your progress, and letting your inner wisdom guide your next steps.
Finally, we will close the month by exploring how to calm your nervous system so you can trust again. When the body is overwhelmed, trust becomes nearly impossible. When the body is regulated, trust becomes natural.
We hope these episodes offer comfort, clarity, and encouragement as we end the year with intention.
Ask Annette and Ada
Q: I want to create a meaningful holiday season without overcommitting, overspending, or overwhelming myself. How can I set compassionate boundaries while still showing up for the people I care about?
A: Creating a meaningful holiday season begins with giving yourself permission to honor your emotional capacity - what you realistically have to give in terms of time, energy, and resources. When we ignore our limits, we often end up exhausted, resentful, and/or disconnected from the very people we want to enjoy. Healthy boundaries help you stay present without feeling pulled in too many directions.
Start by getting clear on what matters most to you this season.
Maybe it’s quiet moments with immediate family, certain cherished traditions, or simply having space to rest. This clarity will be extremely helpful because you will be choosing from alignment rather than obligation.
Next, decide in advance which commitments you can comfortably make.
This might include limiting travel, simplifying gift exchanges, or protecting unstructured days on your calendar. Boundaries are much harder to maintain when they’re made reactively. Setting them proactively and communicating them kindly helps everyone know what to expect.
When sharing your boundaries, lead with warmth and appreciation: “I love spending time with you, and this year I’m keeping things simpler so I don’t overwhelm myself. Here’s what I can do…” This approach affirms your care while clearly expressing your limits.
Remember that showing up for others is not defined by doing everything.
It’s defined by presence, thoughtfulness, and sincerity. A heartfelt phone call, a handwritten note, or a simple shared meal can mean far more than an overloaded schedule or an expensive gift.
Most importantly, healthy boundaries do not shut people out.
In fact, it is quite the opposite: Boundaries make space for you to show up in a peaceful, authentic way. By honoring your own needs, you create a holiday season that feels meaningful, sustainable, and full of genuine connection for everyone involved.
Please let us know how everything goes for you!
Annette and Ada
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Do you have questions about personal development, navigating relationships, or creating a more balanced and fulfilling life? If you have a question, there’s a very good chance you are not alone, and now’s your chance to ask us directly! Each month, we’ll choose one or more questions to answer in our newsletter. Whether you’re seeking advice on setting boundaries, developing self-understanding, or simply finding peace in the midst of life’s challenges, we’re here to provide you with thoughtful, compassionate insights.
Your privacy is our priority. While we’ll share your questions and our answers, we’ll never share your name or identifying details. Feel free to ask any personal development question that’s on your heart or mind. This is your opportunity to gain clarity and guidance in a safe and supportive space.
To submit your question, visit the newsletter page of our website and click the big button that says “Submit Your Question for Ask Annette and Ada.”
Send us your questions today, and you might see your answer in our next edition of Development Digest.
December’s Recommendation:
The American Revolution
We’ve been watching Ken Burns’ newest documentary, The American Revolution, and we’re enjoying it so much that we wanted to share it with you. We haven’t finished the 12 two-hour episodes, but if you love history told through real human stories, not just dates and battles, we can tell you that this is absolutely worth your time.
One of the things that impressed us right away was how long this project has been in the making. Burns and his team spent close to a decade working on it! Ten years of research, interviews, writing, and editing are evident, making the documentary feel rich and thoughtful. It is incredibly detailed in the very best way.
What stands out most, though, is how balanced and honest the storytelling is. Instead of focusing only on the big names like Washington or Jefferson, Burns brings forward the voices we don’t always hear, like everyday soldiers, families, enslaved people, Indigenous communities, and others whose lives were shaped by the Revolution. The result is a fuller picture of what that time was actually like.
We also appreciate the accuracy and care taken with the historical material. The documentary doesn’t gloss over the contradictions or the hard truths. It lets the complexity be part of the story, which somehow makes the whole thing even more meaningful.
If you’re looking for something inspiring, beautifully made, and surprisingly refreshing for a historical documentary, we highly recommend The American Revolution. With the United States approaching its 250th anniversary, it feels like the perfect time to revisit how it all began.
Let us know if you watch it. We’d love to hear what you think! ~ And you may finish it before we do, as we probably won’t have time to watch more until our holiday break! 😊
Self-Care Tip of the Month:
Know Your Blood Pressure!
One of the simplest, most empowering self-care habits you can add to your routine is checking your blood pressure regularly. It takes only about a minute, and it can make a significant difference in your long-term well-being.
High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, which is why it’s known as a “silent” condition. Many people feel completely fine even when their numbers are higher than ideal. Regular monitoring helps you catch changes early, understand your trends, and share accurate information with your healthcare provider. Consistently high readings can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney concerns, and other health issues, which is why early awareness truly matters!
There is a reason for us bringing this up: Recently, Annette started taking blood pressure medication after noticing consistently elevated readings. She exercises every day, eats well (but not perfectly!), manages stress (the best she can!), and takes good care of herself, yet her numbers continued to rise. Her doctor was quite alarmed at her annual physical in June, and even though Annette felt bad about having to go on medication, her doctor reassured her and said, “Even though you are doing your best to do everything 'right,' genetics still play a role.
This experience has reminded us of something we often tell our clients: self-care is not about controlling everything, it’s about responding compassionately to what is.
Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to acknowledge what’s outside our control and take the next wise step.
Checking your blood pressure is a concrete way to stay informed, support your long-term health, and give yourself the gift of awareness. Whether your numbers are steady or you notice changes, knowing where you stand allows you to make decisions that truly support your body and your life.
If you haven’t checked your blood pressure recently, consider this your gentle reminder.
Your health is worth your attention, and you deserve to feel supported every step of the way.
What We’re Cooking:
Protein-Packed Breakfast Egg Muffins
As many of you know, we share 14 of the sweetest chickens ever, and this will be our flock’s very first winter. We are doing everything we can to keep them cozy, healthy, and happy in the colder months, and they are thanking us with an incredible gift: about 10 fresh eggs every day!
With such an abundance, we’ve been getting creative in the kitchen and finding simple, healthy ways to make the most of what our girls provide. These Protein-Packed Breakfast Egg Muffins have quickly become a favorite: easy to prepare, absolutely delicious, and perfect for busy mornings when made in advance. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. They offer a little taste of the love and joy our chickens bring to us!
Ingredients:
12 large eggs
1 cup finely chopped vegetables (choose any: bell peppers, spinach, kale, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, or broccoli – we often use thawed frozen mixed veggies)
½ cup cooked protein (optional: turkey sausage, ham, ground turkey, or leftover chicken)
¼ cup fresh herbs (optional: parsley, chives, dill, or basil – we like Italian seasoning)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
Olive oil or avocado oil spray, for greasing the muffin tin
Optional: ¼ cup shredded cheese of your choice. We use dairy-free shredded cheese.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin, making sure the sides are coated to prevent sticking.
Prep your mix-ins. Finely chop vegetables so they bake evenly. If using raw vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or onions, sauté them lightly for 3–4 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs. Mix well.
Divide the veggies and protein evenly among the 12 muffin cups. They should be about ⅓ full with mix-ins.
Pour the egg mixture over the fillings, leaving a small amount of space at the top of each cup.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the muffins are set and lightly golden around the edges. They will puff up in the oven and settle slightly as they cool.
Let cool for 5 minutes, then gently loosen with a small spatula if necessary.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 4 days
Freeze for up to 2 months
Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds
