Hah! Ok, so, the title’s a little weird since we’re a month and a half into the new year, but…yea, I’ve been MIA, and I finally feel strong enough to close out last year and welcome the new one. Not that I’ve been sick, at least not in terms of being stuck in hospital with pneumonia or something. No, aside from an annoying cough, I’ve “just” been utterly exhausted…”just”…yea, right, like that word fits with “utterly”. :p

Well, see, things have been very different for me lately. Late last year I started an outside-of-the-home job. It’s a serious change in my life, and it’s been a huge adjustment. It still is, really, but it’s time for me to get back in the game of writing blog posts and newsletters, which I do love but haven’t had any energy for. It’s just time.

So, without further ado, let’s close out 2015!

2015 Closing Ceremonies

My word for 2015 was “Change”.

Some things changed: 2015 was marked by huge revelations in my personal life and within myself, lots of soul-searching, and many adjustments, not least of which was the start of my new work life.

I had some big art-related moments as well, like ProletariART, Lumiere for a third time (including a radio interview!), and a new website design.

But some things didn’t change: I spent much of the year completely exhausted. That wasn’t much of a change from the year before. :p But, it seemed to keep me from creating art more easily, which was a change, and one I definitely didn’t like. I’m looking to make 2016 different in that regard.

With that in mind, I present to you my hope for 2016:

LESS

This word has stuck in my mind since January 1st. It just popped into my head on New Year’s Day and wouldn’t let go, and really, it’s perfect — I want less.

Less stress
Less brain clutter
Less house clutter
Less exhaustion
Less perfectionism
Less pain
Less frustration
Less self-doubt

I suppose on the flip-side my word for the year could be “More”, but…not really. I mean sure, I’d like more happiness, more fun, more beauty, and more peace in my life, but I feel I can achieve those better by focusing on having less of the things I don’t want. I feel like I’m pretty good at bringing more of those good things into my life, I just need to have more room in my life for them. So, “Less” is the focus for this year.

With that in mind, I’m beginning a journey with Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”

I read the book sometime last year, and it really resonated with me, but it came into my life at a time when I wasn’t ready to fully commit to the process. It’s stuck with me, though, so it was just a matter of time before I jumped in with both feet. The hullabaloo of the holidays and then the fatigue fallout of January are over, and I’m rather settled in my job, so now I’m jumping in.

In the coming weeks (months?), I’ll write more in-depth about “Tidying Up”, my reasons for doing this, and I’ll even let you in on the process. Upcoming: I’ll make an action plan, and then I’ll set out to straighten up my life, starting with my home. (:

Credit: Translucent jellyfish photo by Vera Kratochvil and rusty nails photo by andriuXphoto