My problem with being self employed is that I now have an idiot for a boss. What does that guy know about my needs? All best in restoring balance in 2026! If you figure out how please inform the rest of us.
Ha! I’m pretty attuned to my needs… my problem is that I don’t always listen to what I’m feeling, but instead prioritize “shoulds” and then I get all off balance.
I’m learning to listen to my own whispers, that show me the way to my true self, to my own rhythm inside out, because it is that’s so linked to my art and my creativity. I have learnt tho that listening deeply not just to myself but to my surroundings and others can create an incredibly nurtured space where my creativity and all kind of ‘work’ flow easily and effortlessly.
Listening, deep listening creates care and understanding as well as awareness. Not an easy task. First year I failed, second year I learnt a lot but still room for improvement.
the irony of "all in" meaning both "commit deeply" and "spread yourself across everything" is the whole trap.
same two words. completely different outcomes depending on how your brain decides to interpret them.
what you're describing — setting an intention and then watching yourself turn it into another optimization project — feels very familiar. the brain will find a way to gamify anything. even rest. even focus.
i like that you're not saying "mottos are bad." you're saying the execution drifted from the intention and that's worth examining. that's more honest than most year-end reflections.
the high school / college comparison is useful too. you've done this before. you know what overcorrecting looks like. now it's just about catching it faster.
Curious what your motto this year is going to be! And resonate VERY much with your high school self…except I loved calculus and ended up with a French minor in college! 😂 I did give up the math major idea when it became too hard and not fun and ended up in anthropology which was WAY fun.
Anyways - thank you for sharing! I empathize too with trying to go too all in on too many areas. Wishing you some peace this year!
It makes sense that a strong motto can feel motivating at first and then become a burden. Rigid intentions without room for rhythm end up creating pressure instead of clarity. Thanks for holding that tension in your writing.
I really enjoyed reading this post. I’ve been taking Feldenkrais lessons and we’ve been repeatedly instructed to, “Do Less.” Which I need to hear! Maybe I need to make a sign for my art space.
A lesson I keep returning to is finding balance. I’ll go all in on creating and then not exercise or vice versa. Staying balanced is hard when I have may interests! My word last year was connection—-so many aspects to it but one of them is keeping mind and body connected and not leaning to hard into one over the other. Back to balance again!
I really loved this post K, so good. Yes, play to our strengths! We can stretch but not crackle and break. Such an important lesson! Balance and a good community to remind us! I am thinking about what my goals are for the new year. I would like to add a motto.
Great post and pictures. I’m VERY grateful for six months of weekly creative check-ins with you. I hope that commitment didn’t overtax you too hard.
Personally, no matter what I prioritize or how much time I do or don’t have to dedicate to all the things, I’m always flailing around like it’s red alert on the bridge. My brain makes everything feel impossible and overwhelming.
Sounds like you learned something really important here, so maybe in a way the motto was ... um... kinda right for 2025? Anyway, I'm 100% "SOME IN" for 2026!
My problem with being self employed is that I now have an idiot for a boss. What does that guy know about my needs? All best in restoring balance in 2026! If you figure out how please inform the rest of us.
Ha! I’m pretty attuned to my needs… my problem is that I don’t always listen to what I’m feeling, but instead prioritize “shoulds” and then I get all off balance.
Well, stop doing that! Other people’s problems are so much easier to solve.
Ha!
My ‘motto’ in the last 2 years was ‘To Listen’
And I’m still learning it.
I’m learning to listen to my own whispers, that show me the way to my true self, to my own rhythm inside out, because it is that’s so linked to my art and my creativity. I have learnt tho that listening deeply not just to myself but to my surroundings and others can create an incredibly nurtured space where my creativity and all kind of ‘work’ flow easily and effortlessly.
Listening, deep listening creates care and understanding as well as awareness. Not an easy task. First year I failed, second year I learnt a lot but still room for improvement.
Ooo, I love that motto and reflection, Anita!
Amazing reflections here, and so fun to see the photos (and hear the stories) from your past!
Thanks so much, Dan!
the irony of "all in" meaning both "commit deeply" and "spread yourself across everything" is the whole trap.
same two words. completely different outcomes depending on how your brain decides to interpret them.
what you're describing — setting an intention and then watching yourself turn it into another optimization project — feels very familiar. the brain will find a way to gamify anything. even rest. even focus.
i like that you're not saying "mottos are bad." you're saying the execution drifted from the intention and that's worth examining. that's more honest than most year-end reflections.
the high school / college comparison is useful too. you've done this before. you know what overcorrecting looks like. now it's just about catching it faster.
Yes—two words different outcomes entirely. Thanks for your reflections!
I loved this post so much!
Thanks Kelcey!
Curious what your motto this year is going to be! And resonate VERY much with your high school self…except I loved calculus and ended up with a French minor in college! 😂 I did give up the math major idea when it became too hard and not fun and ended up in anthropology which was WAY fun.
Anyways - thank you for sharing! I empathize too with trying to go too all in on too many areas. Wishing you some peace this year!
Thank you, Elise! Wishing you peace in the new year year as well!
Happy New Year K.! Loved reading this and have to ask — is Leif coming to Maine?! Because that would be awesome!
I wish! Unfortunately, I don’t think it will make sense though. Happy New Year to you too, Beth!
It makes sense that a strong motto can feel motivating at first and then become a burden. Rigid intentions without room for rhythm end up creating pressure instead of clarity. Thanks for holding that tension in your writing.
Thank you!
I really enjoyed reading this post. I’ve been taking Feldenkrais lessons and we’ve been repeatedly instructed to, “Do Less.” Which I need to hear! Maybe I need to make a sign for my art space.
Thanks, Jo! I find having a sign up to remind me is key for me to remembering it.
A lesson I keep returning to is finding balance. I’ll go all in on creating and then not exercise or vice versa. Staying balanced is hard when I have may interests! My word last year was connection—-so many aspects to it but one of them is keeping mind and body connected and not leaning to hard into one over the other. Back to balance again!
Connection and balance are ones I strive for too!
I really relate to this! I had a word for last year, and I forgot it after a week. The word was "joy."
Thanks Laura! Hope you had some joy even if you forgot the word!
Loved this reflection! I learned so much about you. Thank you for the honesty. My motto for
2026 is sticking to one story topic and try to write and draw about it for one year. We’ll see how it goes.
Thanks, Ann! That’s a great motto!
The honesty of your personal reflection really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing. It's a helpful call to consider the deeper intention.
Thank you so much, Annette!
I really loved this post K, so good. Yes, play to our strengths! We can stretch but not crackle and break. Such an important lesson! Balance and a good community to remind us! I am thinking about what my goals are for the new year. I would like to add a motto.
Thanks, LaVon! My post on Sunday is going to be more on motto creation so stay tuned for that. And I love the “Singing Ink” name… so good!
Thanks K, I am looking forward to your post as always!
Great post and pictures. I’m VERY grateful for six months of weekly creative check-ins with you. I hope that commitment didn’t overtax you too hard.
Personally, no matter what I prioritize or how much time I do or don’t have to dedicate to all the things, I’m always flailing around like it’s red alert on the bridge. My brain makes everything feel impossible and overwhelming.
Thanks ADHD!
Sounds like you learned something really important here, so maybe in a way the motto was ... um... kinda right for 2025? Anyway, I'm 100% "SOME IN" for 2026!
Ha! I love “some in” for 2026, Marek!