Determined to be hopeful

Creative Review

I spent a little time yesterday evening doing a creative review of 2023 from some prompts I found online.

I was expecting to feel a bit disconcerted or let down by my results but I felt exhilarated.

Because of my grief over the loss of my Dad, I felt like I had been haphazard with my creativity, working in bits and pieces but not really doing anything cohesive.

Actually, though, I taught lots of workshops and made zines and took workshops and experimented with using fabric in my art.

That means that despite my difficulties, I kept turning to my creativity to remind myself of who I am and what I need.

I’m really proud of myself for that.

New Year Ritual

I lit a fire in my backyard, fire pit and burnt bits of paper with things I want to let go of written on them.

Will it help?

I don’t know. But what I do know is that it felt good and powerful and that is a good enough start for me.

A fire in a backyard fire pit
Image description: a square fire pit, surrounded by snow, the flames inside look warm and vibrant.

Again with the dogberries

I know I’ve mentioned how much I like dogberries.

My camera has all kinds of photos like these:

A close up photo of bright red dogberries on a bare branch. There is grass below and in the background and a white SUV in the far background.
A photo of multiple bunches of bright red dogberries on mostly bare branches with a few yellowed leaves here and there.
A very close-up photo of bright red dogberries on the end of a bare branch just a little bit above some grass.

Early Morning

It’s 6:14am and I have been awake for at least an hour.

This is the second time this week that I have been lying awake in the early morning listening to my husband sleep and just letting my mind wander wherever it wants to go.

I’m not distressed about being awake and there’s nothing bothering me, I’m just…not asleep.

I know this is pretty common for women my age and if it starts happening regularly I will work on some habits in hopes of sleeping better.

But, for now, I’m perfectly happy to lie awake musing until I either fall asleep or I feel the need to get up and make tea.

This morning, I’m sitting up in bed with my Moroccan Mint tea brewing in a cup next to me on one side and himself sleeping on the other.

Not a bad start to a day, really.

Starting off calm

I am starting this week with a feeling of calm.

I have made some lists, I have clarified my tasks, I have included rest and relaxation.

I am hoping that this conscious preparation can really help.

A photo of tiny, purple, daisy-like flowers among some grass
Image description: a photo of clusters of tiny, purple, daisy-like flowers amongst some grass. I took this photo on my walk yesterday.