Studio Files .08
Studio scenes, chasing joy and soup.
I think it’s a bit unfair that the New Year starts in the middle of winter. A time when we’re wired to be cozy, to rest, to recharge after the buzz of the holidays. A season where much of the natural world is in some form of hibernation, doing the deep work to be ready for growth and new beginnings of the warmer days ahead.
As I wrote earlier in the month, I’ve found that taking a pause in January to reflect and be a bit quiet helps to ground me to my own voice, to reflect and get curious about where I want to spend my time and energy in the days ahead.
These past few months, I have felt a strong pull towards creating more. More writing, more cooking, more painting. Not necessarily NEW for me, but NEW in that I feel ready to pursue these with a renewed focus and passion.
In 2024, much of my focus was on CHANGE. A move from Dallas to Austin, a blending of families and households, a navigating of a new city, a new school for my daughter, new friendships, doctors, grocery stores - all the new a move can bring. Much of my creative energy went towards creating our home, our new routines, grounding our life in calm and joy as we explored our new environment.
In 2025, I’m looking to reclaim my time in a more intentional way. To refine my studio space and practice towards bringing the vision of me as an artist into focus. To create with purpose and joy and discipline.
“My job as a creator is to hold a vision of the world we have not yet seen.”
Turns out, I am a liar. Last week, I talked about avoiding the inauguration - and right after I hit send on my newsletter - I spiraled. Into an anxiety-ridden-doom-scrolling extravaganza that left me depleted, exhausted and informed but not in any useful way. This week, I’m resetting boundaries, starting with limiting my screen time, and reclaiming a habit I discovered during the early days of the pandemic of searching for glimmers. Glimmers, as described by author and clinical therapist Deb Dana, are small moments of joy, safety and hope that we search for in our day to regulate our nervous system. I keep an ongoing note on my phone to collect and store glimmers throughout the day, and I’m doubling down on this healthy habit this week. Join me?
Also. Winter = soup season. The weather has finally turned in Texas and I’ve been cooking up a double batch (freezing half) of ALL my favorite wintery soups: cauliflower, sweet potato + sausage, lemon chicken + orzo and new to the rotation healthy cheddar broccoli.
YUM.