End the year on a creative high

Plus a Find Your Word of the Year workshop for you!

I hope you’ve had some time to explore LISTS in your sketchbook this month. I really enjoyed making these lists in my daily memory keeping journal and using them as a jumping off point to make some art.

Highlight reel

You don't need more motivation or inspiration to create the life you want. You need less shame around the idea that you're not doing your best. You need to stop listening to people who are in vastly different life circumstances and life stages than you tell you that you're just not doing or being enough. You need to let timing do what it needs to do. You need to see lessons where you see barriers. You need to understand that what's right now becomes inspiration later. You need to see that wherever you are now is what becomes your identity later. ― Jamie Varon

There have been so many highlights this year, but the one that stands out is the moment when I took the leap and achieved one of my deepest desires. Something I had been working towards since a few years — to quit my 9 to 5. So of course, when it came to creating art around this prompt, I had to document this moment!

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Glimmers

“If you're always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you're in? Slow down and enjoy the moment you're in and live your life to the fullest.”
― Nanette Mathews

One of my glimmers this year was to spend some time in the balcony each morning with my morning coffee. Chatting with the husband, listening to the birds chirping in the trees, and reading a poem or two to start my day. This is definitely something I want to continue into the new year, until the Delhi heat makes it difficult to step out for too long.

Attention

In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. —Pico Iyer

Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. — Mary Oliver

Zen pretty much comes down to three things -- everything changes; everything is connected; pay attention. — Jane Hirshfield

Attention was a big one for me this month. There are times when I’m pretty good about being present to my life instead of getting sucked into screens or escaping into a book. That has not been the case, recently.

While I am now in what I am calling my Victorian era, I did not envision spending my evenings with my eyes glued to a tiny screen in my hand. I definitely want a more leisurely life, and I know that breaking away from the productivity inherent in corporate culture and in the overculture will take time. But leisure, for me, does not equal escapism or spending hours on Instagram or on other social media platforms.

So, I spent some time pondering just what I want to be paying attention to in the coming year, and created a little patchwork collage to remind myself of what is important to me in this season of my life.

Wishes

“Wish on everything. Pink cars are good, especially old ones. And stars of course, first stars and shooting stars. Planes will do if they are the first light in the sky and look like stars. Wish in tunnels, holding your breath and lifting your feet off the ground. Birthday candles. Baby teeth.” ― Francesca Lia Block

I tapped into some of that childhood wonder and magic while working on this page. The background came together as I used this page to clean out my paintbrush. There are layers of chalk paint {the paint colors I used on my writing table makeover}, some stencil clean off, and other paints from other journal spreads all smooshed together willy-nilly. I used some gesso and more stenciling to tie things together, and then made a paper doll to glue on to the page!

I hope seeing my pieces here will inspire you to create at least a page or two based on your lists! If you need a reminder of the Creative Exploration prompts, you can find them here.

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Find Your Word Workshop

A lot of you asked, so here it is! A short workshop to help you find your word of the year. In the video below, I share the what, why, and how of choosing a word of the year.

I’ve had a word of the year practice since 2016, and it has completely changed my relationship with goal setting and resolutions.

In this video, I'll help you reflect on last year, dream into the new year, choose a word of the year and set intentions for the coming year. I’ll also share some ideas on how you can stay connected with your word throughout the year.

Make sure to download a copy of The Visioning Workbook for the best results with this process.

Do you have a word of the year practice? What’s the word you’ve chosen as your North star for 2025? Or your resolutions or goals? Tell us in the comments!

Ok loves, wish you a beautiful holiday season and a very Happy New Year! I’ll see you back here next year!

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