As we close the door on 2024, a year unlike any other, I’m looking forward to the fresh energy a new year will bring. What lies ahead, we do not know, but today and in the week ahead - I’m continuing to stay present and practicing gratitude for the gifts + lessons of 2024.
Grateful for :
*My people. Family, friends, this community. I’ve added to my people this year in big ways, and am so grateful for the new connections I’m making, the old connections that have held and the expanded circle I’m still building. I’m learning to put myself out there in more bold and forward ways, being more intentional with my time and HOW I connect to my people - and I’m looking forward to more of the in 2025.
*My practice. 2024 was a year of going deeper into my art + writing practice. Launching this newsletter, making (and selling) more art and wallpaper than any year prior, and studying under some of the most fantastic teachers both online and IRL. I’m excited for where I am, and looking forward to going deeper in my studies and applying my lessons into new work in 2025. As an artist running a business, I can often leave the important and deep work of actually making art as an afterthought, something to be done AFTER I’ve done all the heavy lift of shipping / marketing / tweaking websites. Prioritizing my creative work as my highest work is both a no-brainer, and a life-changer for me, reminding me to do the thing I love first and often until it becomes my daily habit. The other work will wait, and always, always gets done.
*My purpose. I’ve spent most of my adult life searching for my purpose. Something that inspires me to be my best self, and bring that best self to the world - most days. I feel closer to embracing it now, than I have in a long while.
While still (and always ) a work in progress, for today:
I believe my purpose lies in collecting glimmers of beauty, goodness, light, and inspiration from the world around me and transforming them into art and content that inspires others. Through my creative work, I reflect the everyday moments that spark joy, hope, and personal growth, encouraging others to embrace their highest potential. I believe that by sharing these glimmers, I can help people connect with their own light, inspiring them to be their best selves and live with intention, authenticity, and creativity.
Me, I’m not super big on resolutions, but instead focus on intentions and systems as I embrace the year ahead. For me, I’ve found that taking a pause in January to reflect and be quiet helps to ground me to my own voice, versus being influenced by the flurry of resolutions suggested in every publication between now and mid January. I’ll likely hit the ground running closer to February with an intention or word that I want to guide me in the year ahead - after I’ve done a healthy look back at the year behind.
I so love reading all the various ways other creatives approach resolutions and planning for the year ahead, a few of my faves so far :
Camille Styles : I love the intentional curation of most everything Camille does, and her approach to annual planning is no different. She even offers a free digital workbook to guide you through her process.
Natalie Kuhn : I first fell in love with Natalie through The Class - a literal life-changing workout I found during the pandemic, which I still turn to for it’s fun and freeing movement, amazing teachers + playlists, and cathartic releasing of emotions. Sounds like a cult, yes? Promise it’s worth it…anyway! Natalie quickly became one of my favorite teachers for her soothing voice and deeply moving instruction, equal parts church, motivation, and workout. She’s recently launched her own platform Make the Sun, and in this most recent post, offers a framework for how to close 2024 with grace and reflection.
Ben Meer : If you’re not a subscriber to Ben Meer’s System Sunday newsletter, go now, I’ll wait. As an innovation consultant specializing in systems thinking - his voice is one I turn to when I’m needing a tune-up in schedule, focus, productivity. His round-up of New Year’s challenges will help you to create systems and processes to transform your life. I’m especially loving this one.
One New Year’s habit I look forward to with great glee is purchasing a new planner. 🤓 . A few I’ve got my eye on this year here, here and here.
Happy 2025 friends! Here’s to more connecting, more creating, more love, calm, peace and joy in the year ahead!
I love Susannah Conway’s free New Year e-workbooks. Last year I did the Find Your Word exercise. It’s a 5-day process, but so good. My word was “space.” When I look back, I went into 2024 believing that word to mean something completely different than what it ended up meaning. I kept thinking it would have to do with a physical place or an environment created. About September, I began lamenting that I wasn’t aligning with my word. Sitting here today, though, it turns out that it had everything to do with a clearing in my mind, allowing room, “space,” for possibilities that I didn’t know existed. I would love to do this exercise again, and if I start tomorrow, I will be in the mountains for the 5 days. I wonder what effect that might have??? Cheers to 2025! Being the year of 9, by all accounts this year will be the end to many things for all of us, and, most of the time, endings are actually blessings, allowing space for new beginnings.
It’s interesting how we are in winter - a slow, quiet, inward time with some of the largest and busiest holidays. I wonder how this idea of New Year ‘resolutions’ would feel in the southern hemisphere. I love the idea of intentions over resolutions. And I also love that continuing to take it slow in this season - it’s exactly how I feel too. ♥️