Unexpected Magic
This past week I finally sat down to do my yearly review. Since I celebrated my birthday last week it felt like the right time to reflect on 2022 and fully embrace what 2023 has in store. I started by going over my bullet journals. I record celebrations each week, so it was easy to make a list of things I accomplished for each month of the year. Plus, I found myself revisiting ideas I had scribbled in the margins, making note of the ones that still resonated with me. I also made notes about lists I had abandoned and projects I had yet to start. No judgement here. Just simple observation.
Overall, I feel like 2022 was all about planting seeds, learning new skills, trying things and finding my way. Back in December, I chose an image for 2023 in Planning Day, Jamie Ridler's year-end retreat. But I hadn't figured out what my word for the year would be. The image I chose was of a vase of colorful flowers. I felt drawn to the image because it looked so vibrant and happy. After reviewing all I'd done in 2022 and looking at the image again, the word Flowering popped into my head. At first, I dismissed it. It seemed too simple. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I've planted the seeds, established roots, and begun to nurture small seedlings. Now it's time for these plants to come alive, to flower in all their glory.
In years past, I have chosen a word for the year, written it in a journal and forgotten about it before the year is half over. I wanted this year to be different. I had an inspiration to create a little illustration of my word of the year. That's when the magic happened.
In search of floral motifs to decorate my word, I came across a file I had labeled "working". Inside that file was a beautiful floral pattern I'd completely forgotten about. I guess I felt it wasn't finished and I never got back to it. The flowers from that pattern felt like the perfect complement to my word of the year. So, I created the illustration above, printed it, and put it on my bulleting board where it will serve as a daily reminder of who I want to be this year.
As for the pattern I found, I've made some revisions and I'm still playing with it. I think it will be a great addition to the shop very soon.
What I will take away from this experience is that I don't need to follow conventional wisdom to create my plan for the year when everyone else does it. I can take the time I need to tend to what needs tending. I can let my ideas and experiences percolate until the time is right for me. I can take time to rest and regroup. Giving myself that time helped me put the pieces together more easily than I would have while still coming down from the go, go, go energy of the holiday season. Maybe this will become a birthday ritual from now on.
I hope this bit of wisdom serves as inspiration for whatever you're working on this week. How can you approach your plans and dreams in your own way and in your own time without pressure or judgement?