Hello, Subscriber First Name,

We’ve turned the calendar page to a new year. I’m doing my best to make this shift (even if it is just symbolic) nurturing and hopeful.

How are you feeling?

We live in such strange and stressful times. On top of that each of us is struggling with our own personal challenges and sorrows. I’ve been looking back over 2021 (and 2020, too) to remind myself of all I’ve accomplished, but I’m also realizing how hard these last couple of years have been for me. (One example: over not quite five months we lost two dogs and one cat and the nine months before were filled with tests, treatments and more vet appointments than I can count). It’s no wonder I’ve struggled, at times, to find joy and inspiration.

Be gentle with yourself if you’ve struggled, too.

“Choose Joy” I say. But joy is only ever part of the picture. I don’t want to dwell in the darkness, but if I don’t acknowledge it before moving forward, it will continue to remain heavy in my heart.

I know each of us has our own story. Our own sorrows, our own joys, woven together with those of this world. Maybe, like me, you need to take a moment to look back at your story — the good and the bad — before moving forward. Remind yourself how strong you are, how resilient.

I love the beginning of a new year, the idea that we get a fresh start. I took some time off during the holidays to rest but also to dream and plan and set intentions. No pressure. No rush. Cozy. Magical.

Today’s my first “official” day back to work and for a moment I felt a zing of panic. Pressure to be accomplishing and doing, to not fall behind (It’s already the 4th of January after all!). But then I stopped myself to ask “what’s the rush?”

One of the projects I’m working on is something I’ve never done before. It’s going to take some experimentation, some practice (and some failures). This sort of growth takes time and space. I need to remember to give myself both.

If you’re embarking on something new, remember to give yourself the time and space you need.

There’s no rush.

I’m making a point to start my year in a nurturing and hopeful way. I hope you will, too.

As I was thinking about what to write to you today I took this photo of me in the studio. To say “hi”, to give a glimpse of what it really looks like when I’m working.

I want to share more “behind the scenes” with you this year. To continue to connect through these Joy Letters, my blog, my classes.

I have a few other ideas of what and how I’d like to share with you but if there’s something you’d like to see or are curious about or you think would be especially helpful or nurturing for you, please let me know.

A creative prompt:

I challenge you to slow down this month. To single-task instead of multi-tasking. To resist the urge to do-do-do. Spend some time imagining what would be most nurturing for your creativity. Do you need to commit to a daily practice of art-making or journaling? Do you need to craft a special space in which to create? Do you want to try something new or take a class? Or maybe you just need to keep doing what you’re doing, slow and steady.

Some inspiration:

• Need help getting your year started? Susannah Conway has a great (free!) workbook called Unravel Your Year that she’s been creating and sharing for 12 years now. You can find it here. I found this video she created as part of her most recent Love Letter really inspiring, too. Such a good affirmation for us to show up as we are.

• Louise Gale is sharing a free planner for 2022, too.

• I’ve been following Kerstin Martin for a while now. Among other things, she teaches how to design websites on Squarespace, but it’s her take on business that’s so inspiring and refreshing to me. Her newsletter is one of my favorites and it always gives me something to think about. In a recent note she shared how she’s approaching planning for the new year — with a question: Does this feel calm? (You may want to check out her free Calm Business Review, too).

• Tara Leaver shares her thoughts on the beginning of the new year in this inspiring note.

• I wanted to make some of these paper stars for Christmas but never got around to it. I think I might make and hang some even though the holidays are over, just because.

• I ordered a couple of swatches of my wallpaper designs and am planning on trying out this simple tutorial (and am scheming what else I can decorate with them).

• Over my break I obsessively studied seed catalogs, dreaming of what I want to grow this year. If you need some inspiration of where to shop for seeds, Floret recently shared a huge list of suppliers.

• It’s not too late to join Adriene for her 30 Days of Yoga. This year’s theme is MOVE.

• I recently found a note on a post-it in my studio. It says “Busy is a decision” — Debbie Millman. I looked it up and you can read more here.

Since 2013 I’ve been choosing a word for the year. This year’s word is EASE. (I’ll be sharing more about it on my blog on Friday — if you don’t already, you can sign up here to get my posts by email). Ease feels so right. I want to feel at ease with myself. I want to move through my days with ease. I want to create with ease.

No matter what your intentions are for 2022 I’m wishing you ease with them.

And, as always, until next time, wishing you joy,

Hi, I'm Anne Butera, the artist behind My Giant Strawberry. 

Thank you for inviting me to your inbox! I usually send these Joy Letters twice a month. I love connecting with you this way!

I'm completely self-taught and my experiences have fueled my passion not only for watercolor, but also for encouraging others to embrace their creativity and discover their joy. (Read more about my journey here).

You can purchase my art including original paintings, fine art prints, fabric and other product designs on my website and elsewhere on the web.

Looking to learn how to paint or find creative inspiration? I teach online. Come join me in class (you can learn for free for a month!).

In addition to teaching, I love sharing inspiration on my blog. If you want to stay connected, I hope you'll join me there.

With gratitude.
--A

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