Happy New Year my creative friends! I hope you all had a great end to the year, and a good start into 2023.
Personally, I don’t believe much in New Year’s resolutions. They never worked for me. If you really want to quit smoking, drink less, get fit, go vegan, whatever it is, you should get started no matter what the calendar says.
That being said, the time at the end of the year, when we’re off work, with our families, or on vacation, can be a great opportunity to reflect on what is really important to us, how we can live a bit truer to ourselves and our values.
I also believe that, instead of trying to change ourselves and making big drastic changes that often don’t stick, we can all lean a bit more into our strong sides.
The Activity - Be more you
Step 1: Reflect
Take a moment to reflect on the things you appreciate most about yourself. What are your skills and qualities that you are most proud of? What comes easy to you and let’s you contribute in a way that’s aligned with your values?
Are you very good at learning? Or listening? Or cooking?
Which activity can you get lost in? Where do you feel most like yourself?
I also recommend taking the VIA Strength Survey, a scientifically backed questionnaire to help you identify your positive qualities.
Step 2: Choose a quality
Out of the many qualities you have identified, choose one or two that you want to start amplifying. Which ones can you lean in even further this year? Which ones will help you bring more joy to your life and those of others?
Step 3: Draw
Create a picture that represents those qualities. You can draw, collage, take a photo, or work in any other medium you like. Keep the picture closeby, maybe on your desk or as a wallpaper on your mobile, so you get reminded often to lean into the awesomeness that you already are.
My Example
Up until a few years ago, I used to live mostly in my head. My work is all just thinking channelled down my arms, via my fingers, into a computer. I was also stressing a lot, having anxious thoughts, shutting those down with booze and watching TV. I never put much focus on what my body was or wasn’t experiencing.
It’s been a bit of a process getting out of my head and into my body. Meditating, walking the dog, getting more active again in the gym and the pool, creating things with my hands.
So ”getting out my head and into my body” is what I want to lean into even further going forward.
I recently got into powerlifting which is awesome and something I want to keep up. Swimming as well, being physically present for my daughter, and creating tons of things. I’m also educating myself more about mental health, well-being, the role of creativity, and the connection between body and mind to be more deliberate in what I’m doing.
I also want to connect more to people like you so I can share more of what I’ve learned. That’s why I’m starting to host workshops on art and well-being, where we can get together as a group and have some creative fun to boost our mental health.
The first one will be held online, so check out the details below and come join me :)
Until then, have a great weekend.
Love,
Lorena
Workshop: Messy Painting for Stress Relief
Sunday, 15 January 2023, 15:00 CET
Together we will explore some messy painting techniques that help us channel our stress and anxiety and leave it on the paper.
Places are limited to 10 people, it’s on a free or donate what you want first come first serve basis.
Check out the details and secure your place here.
Looking forward to seeing you there!