Another Year Around The Sun
Days after my birthday, I find myself sitting at my kitchen table, the warmth of my mug in hand, looking out at the bitter cold of the world. A few inches of fresh snow has just fallen, and the sun, she’s out today — bright and blinding. I long for the warmth of spring, when the birds return to sing their songs and I can step outside without bundling up in layers upon layers. I always feel this tug when February rolls around; it’s as though the cold settles into my bones a little more deeply each year, but the promise of spring feels just as sweet.
With my birthday now behind me, I’m reflecting — as I always do around this time. Getting older has taught me the importance of slowing down and paying attention. Not just to the passing days, but to what really matters. As another year has passed, I’ve been trying to get clearer on what I want. Every year, I set intentions — goals, dreams, wishes — but I often find that something feels off. The stars don’t align quite the way I imagine, and I’m left to wonder, "Now what?"
Does anyone else feel that? A sense that no matter how much you plan, life always has a way of throwing something unexpected your way? So, I’m trying something different this year. Instead of just creating a vision board full of inspirational images and hopeful words, I’ve decided to take a deeper approach. This year, I’ve placed stars next to the most important goals, the ones that feel like they need to be nurtured, the ones that I can’t afford to let slip away. I hope this simple act of highlighting will serve as a reminder to myself, a way of keeping my eyes on what matters most.
1. Garden: This one never seems to change. It’s always on my list, but with the world in the state it’s in, I feel even more of a pull to grow food — not just for the connection to nature, but for the security it brings. The economy feels so uncertain, and though I won’t get political here, I can’t help but feel that my little garden could be a small piece of peace and self-sufficiency in an unpredictable world. It’s more important than ever to support local farmers, to grow food with my hands, and to reconnect with the earth.
2. Health: This one’s a tough one for me. Every year, I vow to put my health first, but it always ends up on the back burner. Right now, I’m slipping into my old habits — comforting myself with homemade cinnamon rolls and skipping the gym. I’m trying to be kinder to myself this year, trying not to beat myself up over it. But I do know that I want to feel better, to find the energy to move and nourish myself with love and care.
3. Room for New Projects, Room to Play: Last year was a whirlwind. I took on so many shows while working my full-time job, making art at night and on weekends, and applying for even more shows — all of which led to a major burnout. I’ve scaled back this year, trying to find a better balance, to align myself with how I want to show up in the world. I have house projects to finish, rooms to paint (I’m forever stuck between colors and end up settling on white). But what I’m really craving is space. Space to create for the sake of creating. To let my hands wander across clay, to play with linen and wool, to make things that connect me with the process. To paint little seascapes (okay Lake Erie) and fields of wildflowers, so that for a moment, I can escape and breathe in a world I imagine.
What about you? What are your hopes for the year ahead? What’s calling to you?
A Bit of Birthday Reflection: For my birthday, we went on a wine tour — my first one, actually. I wore a thrifted outfit, added boots for warmth (because, of course, February in my area is cold and snowy!), and let myself be present, be in the moment. The day felt like a gift in itself, just like the year ahead. Not about the big things, but about the little things — the moments of joy, the pauses to breathe, the spaces where I can just be. And my birthday weekend continued with slow mornings — days of sleeping in, curled up with a new book, the days continued with a cozy dinner with my family at a local restaurant. And of course, being a lover of ceramics, I couldn’t help but take a picture of the plates on the table. There’s something about beautifully crafted pottery that feels like a piece of art in everyday life. It’s these simple things — the plates, the way the light hits the table, the laughter shared — that make a moment unforgettable.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of the year ahead, filled with more slow mornings, creative projects, and the warmth of spring on the horizon!
