But the one thing this year that changed me most - aside from growing and pushing out an actual human - is writing again.
As in - I used to write. Like from the time I was 7, dear-diary style. Then I stopped. But I've started again. And it’s been like unlocking the Chamber of Secrets.
Back in February, I committed to writing 500 words a day for a month. I opened a word doc each morning and didn't miss a day. I didn’t edit myself and I didn’t stew over what to write. I tried to keep it to under 30 minutes. Sometimes I got lost in the uncovering and weaving. It taught me that when I do things that fuel my own health, wellbeing, delight, rest, and energy - it eventually seeps out, even the words themselves never find their way to another set of eyeballs.
I started this newsletter in June when I wasn’t really ready to “come back to work” yet, but decided I might as well pull some double duty - an efficiency of sorts as I sought creativity in the middle-ground of learning to be a mom of 3.
It brought the fun and connection to “marketing” (oooh look we got there anyways) that I’d been missing.
My bullet journal pages helped me keep a pulse on my days with gratitude, even when they are blurry with lack of sleep or anger or sadness. Even when all I could write was a sentence or two.
Now, when I stop writing, I get jittery. I feel lost.
Writing gives me freedom to explode, and systems give me a place to put the pieces that need smoothing. (Re:
my trello system that helps me take the ideas that seep through and give them direction and time).
Pictures are what come from these pieces blended together.
Basically, the messes I pour on to a page - the ones no one ever sees - eventually untangle what’s most important underneath - what shapes my vision and my action.
It's made all the difference.
