Are you hitting the ground running...?

Or are you, like me, easing yourself into 2025 gently?

“May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours…”

John O’Donohue

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

And so the year has turned. Celebrations are over. A blank page lies before me…

Promise

Remember, the time of year
when the future appears
like a blank sheet of paper
a clean calendar, a new chance.
On thick white snow
You vow fresh footprints
then watch them go
with the wind's hearty gust.
Fill your glass. Here's tae us. Promises
made to be broken, made to last.

Jackie Kay

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Every year at this time, we’re exhorted to ‘plan, set resolutions, choose a word’ - the choice is yours. But with the remaining winter darkness stretching out ahead of me, I can’t help but feel the continuing pull of hibernation (and the weather is certainly contributing to that feeling!); to luxuriate in the flickering candlelight, to delight in the still twinkling lights, reading the books piled high by my bedside and enjoying my footsteps crunching on the frosted earth.

I have no problem scrolling back through my camera roll, memories sparked by the countless photos. But ask me if I’m ready for a full-on reflective review of my art - both work and business - and I would answer “No”; let me have a few more days of blissful denial or ignorance.

I’ll admit I find it difficult to be objective when reflecting and reviewing; my default setting is to look for negatives, to judge myself - harshly. Reading this note by Carmen Luisa put a different slant on things, a slant I hadn’t previously considered:

Also, as my OH said, ‘If you only look at/for the negatives, nothing will change; it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Being objective, being honest - asking yourself if what you think is really true - is the basis of change, of moving forwards.’

This post:

Year end business rituals

…resonated with me because of the gentle questions and focus on the positives; by default, you discard what no longer serves you, or is not as important as you once thought.

One thing that has definitely helped me to be more objective is keeping an Annual Planner, where I track numbers and keep records and notes…here’s a comparison of my 2020 social media numbers alongside this year.

It’s slow and steady growth, but it’s organic. I don’t subscribe to ‘buying followers’: I much prefer to grow my numbers with genuinely interested people, to build a community. And making note of fabulous feedback gives me a boost, and reminds me of what I can do!

“Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.” Michael Josephson

But if we must set resolutions, goals, intentions etc., then setting them without the ‘why,’ i.e. Why are you trying to achieve this? Why is this important to you?, is the road to failure - at least, for me it is. I need a clear understanding of the importance behind the aim, as well as a plan, with measurable milestones along the way.

• '“Get fit” is a perennial resolution of mine, always doomed to failure as it’s non-specific, too broad. Why do I want to get fit? What’s my quantifiable goals? How am I going to break them down?

• “Make my art/art business a success.” Again, it’s too vague; what do I mean by ‘a success’? What does success look like to me?

You’re getting the picture, right?

What I should be saying is:

• I want to improve my fitness so that I remain as healthy as possible for as long as possible; to see my children and grandchildren grow. I want to foster a healthy lifestyle etc., as that will improve my energy levels and manage my Rheumatoid Arthritis…

• I have to determine what ‘success’ looks like to me with regard to my art. Does that mean I create two bodies of work this coming year for example? Do I set subscriber number goals, financial goals etc? Where do I need to focus my attention? How am I going to achieve these goals? What steps do I need to take? Do I need external help?

And, as well as being specific about the whys and the hows, I should also be realistic about time frames and energy levels: acknowledgement of which is more conducive to success than sweeping statements.

All that being said, as I’ve grown older I’m more acutely aware that life isn’t linear; there are ups and downs, times when you race forwards, and times when it feels as if it takes all your effort just to stand still. So while it’s good to have a plan, it’s also good to build in flexibility - to allow for when things don’t quite run smoothly, as well as time to dream.

This post from Elin Petronella expands further on why the journey and staying true to yourself is important…

Why dreams should matter more than goals

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Although I’ve yet to totally hone in on my ‘targets’, one thing that keeps floating around, is a desire to make/improve my work space, (whilst waiting for my OH to build the garden studio). To make a space that truly reflects my personality and art.

Reading this post by Fiona D. Artisan in her Seasonal Creativity Substack:

Winter Studio Notes

and listening to Episode 74 of Steph Casswell’s ‘Creating Happy Writers’ podcast has planted a seed.

But before any such ‘re-arranging/improvements’ can take place, a huge clear out is required. In order to ready the spare bedroom for family guests, all my work and assorted ‘stuff’’ was dumped in the studio - consequently, I can just about get in, turn around, and come out again!!

Below are three works I’ve discovered that didn't even make it onto my website - definitely need a better system!!

As is always the case, New Year or not, when embarking on a new series of work, I feel the urge to clear the decks, to make way for exploring and experimenting; I sense a studio sale in the offing!!

Until next time, happy creating!

P.S. If you’re still not ready for full-on, hit the ground running mode, just remember:

“Winter reminds us that everyone and everything needs some quiet time.”

Katrina Mayer