What my Intentions are for 2018 (and the planners I love to use)

With a new year firmly underway I am at last back at work after a very long absence.  Beginning in November I was laid low with a nasty cold virus, and despite a few days here and there where I thought I was finally feeling a bit better I kept on lapsing into this awful state of being unwell - aches, pains, cough, fevers...only now, as the days of January begin to slowly lengthen I feel more like myself (with a lingering cough, a souvenir of my epic 8 weeks of feeling vile).  I hasten to tell you that this is not like me at all, I do NOT do sickness, I will occasionally pick up a cold and then after a few rubbish days it has gone - I've never endured anything like this at all and went through tests and even an x-ray at the hospital to find out what was going on.  It seems I'm a healthy enough person, who just happens to have succumbed to a virus that lowered the immune system, which in turn meant it was easier to catch other bugs and things.

It being winter here until about April, I decided to persevere with raw honey and apple cider vinegar drinks, doses of astragalus root to boost the immune system, and take care to eat foods that are health inducing instead of the Christmas stodge we endured for what seemed like an eternity.  I think it's working.

So, I'm not too sorry to see the back of the Christmas period, and I'm embracing January as a fresh new beginning with lots of plans bubbling away for the coming months. 

Saying that, I'm not a person who makes resolutions as I don't think life needs resolving - it's not broken, just needs a bit of guidance in the right direction to get back on track, and personally for me the sheer expectation that comes with creating new year goals just lays so heavily on me that I tend to give everything up within a week anyway.

So, I choose intentions.  Which are lighter, easier, and more forgiving than tough resolutions.  To make sure I stay on track with my intentions and dreams, I like to use planners and journals.

I am currently using two planners to help me map my journey through this year.  The one on the left is by Danielle Laporte - a motivational speaker and author.  Based on her book, The Desire Map, she invites you to choose your core desired feelings each day as a basis for making choices in life.  The idea of working with how you want to feel and then choosing what you need to do to manifest those feelings is a really cool way of living with intention and creating a life you enjoy.  It has certainly made me consider the choices I make each day, and become more aware of what I do with my time.

The planner on the right is the epic marketing guide by Claire Mitchell, owner of The Girls Mean Business.  I worked with the 2017 version last year and despite not using it consistently, I increased my earnings, realised dreams and grew my audience.  I can highly recommend Claire and her illuminating teachings which she offers within this planner, online in a private Facebook group, and through a private marketing portal with monthly challenges on to grow your biz - it's all completely awesome.

I also chose a word for 2018 - this year it's all about EASE.  Moving through life without struggle, taking time to be mindful, to make the right choices, keeping it simple and good. 

So with all of this in mind, I feel like I have a great tool kit to get me through!

Here are some of my intentions for 2018:

• Go to the coast as often as possible (we have already braved the wintery Yorkshire coast for a couple of days, it was glorious!)
• Create an online art course
• Create a new art workshop
• Write more
• Go to Italy
• See friends who live far away
• Lose a stone in weight by eating mindfully, committing to my yoga practice and walking more
• Get my bike out and go for rides with my family
• Practice meditation
• Declutter my house 
• Read lots of books
• Swim in the sea
• Have my artwork published by new companies
• Practice gratitude
• Say no to things that don't feel good
• Grow my business
• Think about a new tattoo
• Learn Italian (I've downloaded the course on Babbel but need to spend some time doing it)

Have you set aside some time to think about what you would like to do this year? 

Back in the studio, I'm busy working on some new commissions for Whistlefish (here's a little peek above), it's great to have a lovely job like this to kick things off - I'm feeling really positive about this new range of artwork and very excited about all the possibilities in store! 

My First Art Workshop - How it Went and What I Learnt

Last Saturday I hosted my first Art Workshop in the cosy village hall in Hoylandswaine, Yorkshire.  I thought I'd pop in and write about how it went and what I learnt.

Before that though, you might have noticed an absence.  I haven't blogged since mid October and that wasn't planned.  I actually had big plans in place to blog every week, and intentions, as well as a desire, to write a lot.  I felt as if I had a lot to say and then I got ill.  I don't mean for you to worry because it isn't a serious illness, only a virus of sorts but it has hung on and in fact hasn't properly gone yet - it is one which fills the body with aches, a nasty cough which makes the lungs sore, awful congestion, headaches and an overwhelming fatigue.  And this tricky virus hung on for a good three weeks, leaving me feeling very run down
I had lots to do in preparation for my workshop, and lots of Christmas goodies to create and so I stepped back from Blogging, and I felt a bit sad because I truly love writing, but I felt as if I didn't have much to say, and it all felt like rather too much.

But here we are, the first day of December, cruising in a somewhat chaotic manner (in that I'm terribly unprepared) towards Christmas.  And this leads me nicely back to the topic of conversation with you today, my Christmas Workshop and all about what happened.  And today, I do feel like writing, so here we go.

My mini pop up shop

I arrived a couple of hours before the event to set everything up.  I was a little shocked actually at the huge amounts of stuff I was taking to set up!   I somehow managed to bundle it all in my car and set off across country, looking at the snow topped Pennines in the distance and hoping that my two ladies who were travelling over would make it across safely (they did).

At just before 1pm, the first of my students arrived, I must say, it truly was the nicest group of women to be blessed with, ranging in age from just 13 and up.  They were a friendly and good natured bunch who made my first class such a good one - thank you all for that.

The afternoon went so well, some of the women hadn't picked up a paintbrush since school, and acrylics were a new medium for some.  They all did so, so well - I really was so proud of what they achieved in those three hours.  

Along with some delicious cakes and bakes, and a selection of drinks to help things along the afternoon was a nice, relaxed affair with plenty of chat and laughter.  I remember showing them how to flick snow from the flat end of a wide brush, using watery white paint and proceeded to cover my heart with the biggest blobs that all but anihilated the design.  Things like that aren't planned of course, but it made everyone laugh! 

So what did I learn from hosting a workshop?

Planning is the absolute key!  I did pretty well at organising myself, and in planning the way I wanted the afternoon to unfold, but I think next time I would make a few tweaks to make it easier in places.  For example, it would have been a good idea for me to take a drying tool along, as some of the paint took a while to dry and people were waiting around which I felt bad about.  Signs on the doors to guide people into the workshop room (which is at the far end of the hall) would also have been helpful.  

I think I would spend time creating a nice, clear welcome speech too.  I had an idea of what to say but was caught in such a rush of nerves as I suddenly realised I had a room full of ten students that I think I forgot most of what I wanted to say, and rambled on a bit about other things instead!  Talk about tongue tied! 

I remember Louise Hay once saying that when we do something new, it's easy to come away and beat ourselves up about all the stuff that went wrong, or that we felt wasn't good enough.  She encourages us to be kind, to say 'well done, you did your best' and then think about how you can do it even better next time.  With that in mind, I am proud of what I achieved that Saturday, and will strive to make my next event even better.

I think I would love to do more things like this, despite the nerves (which I think are a natural part of stepping out of our comfort zones and into new territory).  I'm wondering about a full day painting course, or perhaps in time, a weekend retreat!  I think the best bit for me was being able to actually work with people, and to teach them what I know, to pass on skills and share that.  Watching their designs come to life after the different layers and processes was astonishing, they were brilliant!

Now it's back to work, but I'm going at a much more gentle pace so that I can finally shake off this virus and feel better again.

I'm putting the last few bits and pieces into my online shop now, so if you fancy supporting and buying Hand Made this Christmas, why not take a peep?  There are some lovely hand painted decorations (the last few, I won't be making anymore this year), as well as original art, prints, cards and mugs.  You're welcome to browse by clicking here.

I wish you a lovely day.

Julia x

A Prescription for Happiness (when life gets tough)

Evening Light

I'm sitting in the coffee shop, and through the window I can see a blue sky streaked with long, grey clouds, it feels calm and yet although I committed to write a blog post each week I am sitting here struggling with what to write.

Sometimes it flows, other times it stalls.  Like today.  Maybe the best thing for me to do is to write about this, about what happens when our commitment to something wavers, or feels blocked.  What do we do?  How do we move forward from this almost crippling feeling of not being able to create something?  Why does it happen?

A couple of weeks ago I was firing on all cylinders.  I felt insanely happy, I had a positive mindset, everything was going well and I had ideas for new paintings that were literally coming out my ears.  I love it when I'm flowing in the momentum like this.  Crazy good stuff kept on happening, all the traffic lights were on green for me, I got great parking spots at the mall, life just seemed to feel easy and good the whole time.  I've cracked it, I thought - this is it!  

And yet, it wasn't.  Because a few days later I felt myself sinking, I felt a familiar panic rise in my chest, invisible fingers grasping to keep hold of that happiness which seemed to be dissolving...wait, I thought....don't go - I like feeling this way...but the feeling slipped away, and I was left in a soup of fatigue, feeling deflated and without motivation again.  In that moment I didn't know how to hold onto that positive vibe.  I didn't want to feel rubbish, I wanted to feel good the whole damn time!

So what caused it?  

I sat and gave it some thought.  A couple of situations within our family got a little tough over the last week.  We are coping with a recent bereavement (my partner's Dad passed away) and since the funeral, quite naturally so, my partner is really struggling to come to terms with what has happened.  My daughter also suffers with anxiety which leads to late nights where she cannot sleep...these things are going to take time to heal, but sometimes it feels harder to deal with them than at others.  All you can do is go on-wards and through, you cannot circumnavigate grief or an anxious child.

I have also noticed that my mood levels naturally wax and wane each month, and at certain times I am more alive and focused, when at others I succumb to nasty headaches, crave naps and feel sluggish.  I finished the painting that you can see at the top of this post, and despite having lots of ideas for the next, I found myself empty and staring at the blank canvas with no idea of what to put on it.

I found myself talking with my partner about that, about the feeling of panic that my positivity and motivation had gone for good.  He wisely reminded me that it was just a few days each month where I needed to be kinder to myself, to retreat and do what I needed to replenish and feel good again.  To listen to my body, to allow myself to nap, go a bit more slowly and so on. 

The ideas do come back, the positive feelings come back.  But we have to listen to our bodies and take time out now and then.  It's OK to do this - in our fast paced world where the focus is on achievement and perfection, give yourself permission to check out, take the nap, eat soup, go for a walk in the forest.  We seem to naturally give this advice to those we love, who need a bit of extra care, so why do we hesitate to prescribe ourselves the same healing medicine? 

Living a life committed to making your dreams real, creative or otherwise, takes stamina and patience.  It's not going to happen overnight.  You will hit peaks and you will descend into the troughs.  It's all part of the journey.  Accepting this and allowing yourself time to navigate the hurdles that life throws at you will make it so much more easier.  As I write all this I'm smiling to myself, because I knew this all along but I'd forgotten, in the midst of my low mood and panic, I'd simply forgotten.

So today, I'm finishing this post then I'm going present shopping for a birthday gift.  This afternoon I will cosy up with some good reading and a sketch book and see what happens.  I'll do some yoga before bed, and a meditation with Ravi Shankar to help me sleep better.  I can feel the fog is slowly lifting and I'm coming through - such a good feeling.  And I know that in a day or so I will be back in the studio, painting my soul out onto canvas, writing with perhaps more vigour than today.

Remember the light is always there, even in the darkest bits when it feels impossible, it's still there, shining and waiting.

A Peek at What I've Been Doing

'Snow Robin'

The weeks seem to be running away with me, I can't believe we are already in the middle of October and yet I am loving the feeling of Autumn, of the wild winds and rainbow of colours as the leaves change and fall.  I find it a pretty invigorating season and it seems to spur me on as the run up to Christmas becomes busier.

I thought I'd write a post to tell you what I've been up to of late, a little insight into my working days here in my Yorkshire.

For those of you who don't know, I work from a little wooden studio which sits at the bottom of my garden by a river.  We are lucky to have visits from all kinds of wildlife, and it's a pleasure to sit with the door open, listening to the birds and the bubble of the water over the stones.

My Studio

So what have I been up to of late?

I've done a lot of work this year for private clients and a publishing company, and it's been a pleasure to create many varied commission pieces and a lovely body of coastal themed work for the publishers.  You can find a collection of prints and cards available through Whistlefish Galleries, including this new collection of Christmas cards which I did earlier in the year.

Whistlefish Christmas Cards

I've also recently launched a limited release Christmas card 'Snow Robin' (shown at the beginning of this post) which you can find in my own online shop (link in side bar).  They come in packs of five and cost £10 GBP. 

Work has started on a couple of new paintings which will be heading to a new gallery!  I'm really excited to have been offered the opportunity to work with The Robin's Nest Gallery, and as well as two brand new originals, they will also be stocking a collection of my cards, prints and mugs.

Riverside - work in progress for The Robin's Nest Gallery

Behind the scenes I am also busily working on preparing for my first workshop which I'm hosting in Hoylandswaine in Yorkshire, on November 25th.  Already almost sold out and only two places left available, I am so looking forward to spending an afternoon with a lovely group of people as we create Christmas Heart decorations together.  Would you like to join us?  You would be so welcome!  There is a lot more information about the afternoon over on the Eventbrite website where you can book your place - just enter the code: get my ticket to find out more.

Click here to read more and to book

Finally...as most of this year has been spent working on commissions and publishing art, I've not managed to get many originals finished for myself.  However, I recently finished and had framed this colourful and summery piece - Hidden Shores which was inspired by drives down to the beach along high banked country lanes, full of grasses and wild flowers and every now and then that tantalising glimpse of sparkling sea in the distance.

Hidden Shores

This painting will be available in my online shop early next week, however you are very welcome to reserve it if you are interested, just get in touch and I'll send you more details.

So, the rest of the day sees me heading back down the garden to hopefully finish up the Riverside painting and start some sketches for the next piece.  I'm also hoping to start a collection of Christmas Hearts next week, so plenty to keep me busy and out of trouble!

If you've enjoyed this post and would like to keep up with what I'm doing in the studio then you're welcome to sign up to be on my Mailing List - you'll receive a lovely 10% off gift code to use on your first order in my shop, as well as getting studio news, you will also receive previews of all new art and exclusive sales.  There is a sign up link in the side bar here, as well as on my website.

Making Time for your Creative Dream

It's easy to let our creative dreams become something that we put on the back burner as something that we will do in the future. We file our ideas away, intending to get around to them and yet we somehow never do.  Life gets in the way, we may have family commitments, our jobs to go to, household chores to get on with.

The thing is, we will always put off doing what we love if we continue to fill our time with other things.  We say things like, 'I don't have time for that right now'.  We don't realise as we sail through our days that we have just become hard wired to our routines.  We fill up our 24 hours with everything else and feel pressed for time, we feel stressed or depressed, and our dreams seem further away than ever.

I want to tell you a short story about me, and how I found myself in this exact situation.  I found myself feeling depressed that life wasn't the way I wanted it to be, and at the time I didn't understand that things were that way because of the way I thought, and how I lived my life.  I put my creative dreams on the shelf, thought to myself 'I'll get around to it someday' but that day never came, and the years ebbed on by.

I never challenged my mindset which was wired up to believe that there weren't enough hours in the day, there wasn't enough money, I was living in the wrong place, it wasn't fair.

I drove myself deeper into depression with these beliefs, not realising or knowing at the time that I had the power to change them, and turn my life around.  I simply thought that some of my creative dreams were just not meant to be, I had become a drifter living each day in the same way, doing the same things and then wondering why nothing changed.

And then I learnt how to change my mindset.  

It started off with me finding gratitude in the everyday instead of finding fault, and then writing down what it was I really wanted to do with my life.  I discovered as I wrote, that I wanted to teach and create art courses, I wanted to write a book, and to live by the sea.  It felt exciting to get things onto paper, in black and white, and that feeling of excitement was the catalyst for me to take tiny steps each day to move closer to my dreams.  

Writing down your creative dreams can help you discover your purpose, and when you discover this you will feel your spirit ignited with something that to me feels like Christmas Day as a child, that wonderful warm excitement in the very soul of your belly.

Some of my big dreams are already in progress, I am hosting my first art workshop in November, where I will get to teach people how to paint and create something really special!  Some of my other dreams will take a little longer, like moving to the coast, but the fact is, these days I make time to focus and work on these dreams and by doing that I am guaranteeing that they will be a definite feature in my future rather than just an idea in my mind. 

So, how do I make time to work on my creative dreams, and what do I do?

• I schedule time into my planner for working on my Vision Book (full of pictures I've taken from magazines that represent what my future life looks like).  Creating a visual map that I can refer to is a great way to envision my life - see where you can free up twenty minutes in your day to do this.
• I make time to meditate and visualise my creative dreams, and to imagine what it feels like to be doing and having all the things I want in my life.
• I write in my journal, and I count my blessings for everything I already have in life. 
• I make plans to achieve things by taking tiny steps each week, and committing to doing them. 

We can all make time in our lives to work towards our creative dreams if we really try.  For me, I noticed that I was wasting a fair bit of time on Social Media, or just watching TV in the evening so now I use that time more effectively by committing to taking an hour out to read books, listen to podcasts by motivational speakers, to write in my journal and so on. 

By doing this I know I am moving forward, I'm building confidence and knowledge.  These tiny steps will eventually add up and create the cumulative effect of a dream realised, and although it is taking time I'm OK with that - knowing that I'm making space to work on building my dreams gives me a great boost of endorphins and happiness, and I know that in a year or two I will look around and my life will look very different.  I will have achieved things I didn't think were possible, and so, don't be put off by how long it might take you - better that you start off doing something small and building your creative dream into your life now rather than doing nothing at all and still being stuck where you were a year or so down the line.  Schedule in the time, make yourself accountable, commit and do it - it's the only way to build traction and move forward - we have to take action in order for things to change.

What can you do today to take the first steps towards making time for your creative dream?  Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.