On My Mind Lately: Reflection

Our first week back went so smoothly. So much flow. I am tempted to make so many resolutions at the start of every year. I see friends with their awesome plans for the year and I feel the urge to start wildly planning. Instead of that, I decided that I will make one or two personal resolutions per season.

Winter is slow for me, or rather I move more slowly in winter. I discovered this last year. I was striving to make all the things work mid January. Work projects, personal projects, creative projects. In the midst of the struggle, I heard from a yoga teacher about how we’re not really meant to get a lot done in the winter months. Longer nights, shorter days, a quiet earth, cold weather. It’s a low energy season and perfect for rest, reflection and quiet. That resonated with me. I put all my plans in a google doc and put rest and mental health at the top of my list. Once spring started showing up, I re-started planning and preparing for the seasons of high energy. I feel I can get so much done in the spring and summer. It’s the perfect time to work on personal/creative projects alongside all the work projects.

So, in honor of the season of reflection, here are some things about last year:

01.

We served so many great clients through Mad & Dusty. We made the mental transitions from freelancers to owning a company. It challenged me in so many ways and I realized I enjoy that so much. We focused as a company. We worked with a business coach. We found support in our community and worked hard to create purposeful work. Now we have over 6 months of work to add to our portfolio! (Eek!)

02.

I "launched" my line of cards and art and now have stockists. (What?!) This painting started as a way for me to come face to face with depression and anxiety. I would wake up every morning and paint and think. Or paint and not think. It was and is my meditation. Every time I get an inventory sheet I get to see which pieces went to new homes. It is so heartwarming and encouraging. I got to meet so many great people face to face at the markets I was a part of last year. 

03.

I don’t know if this is the right way to say it, but Dusty and I found more of our rhythm in being adults. We became more consistent at making weekly meal plans, grocery shopping, and meeting monthly to go over our budget. I think we learned more about what we need, what stresses us out, and what brings us closer together.

04.

Learning is fun. Learning is for fun. I came out of college as a generalist. I graduated with a degree in art marketing. Which was wonderful. I had (and believe I still have) the skills and capacity to learn and do so many different things. Learning is one of my main drivers, so it’s easy for me to learn a new skill and immediately think of ways to monetize it. What I learned is that - it’s a trap! You can simply learn things, and then use them for fun. Or not use them and let them float around in your brain. You don’t have to add it to your offerings list or create a package around it. You can learn for fun. (You probably already knew this!)

05.

I heard and listened to the not yet. I was mulling over doing yoga teacher training. It was with one of my favorite teachers and lots of things seemed to be lining up to make it a good choice. Often I would think about it and hear this small not yet. I heard the not yet about many other things, and I listened. I think this is the thing I am most proud of. My not yet became an encouraging way to say no to things I loved or was excited for. It was a no in the spirit of having a life with more ease and less struggle. It wasn’t a NO!, it was a not yet. It took the pressure off. Not yets are pretty great.

Have you had the chance to reflect on your 2016? It was a big one, wasn't it?