Hello, Subscriber First Name,

I woke up to a bit of hoar frost this morning. A glimmer of delight in an otherwise dreary day.

We’ve had a lot of dreary days this January.

I’m looking for those glimmers.

Are you?

At the beginning of the month, I told you I’d be easing into the new year.

But that hasn’t happened.

I leapt into January with project after project. Exciting projects. Good projects (like my newest Skillshare class, which has been chosen as a Staff Pick).

I scheduled three days for “business planning”, where I hoped to dream and journal and nurture ideas, but those days were taken over by other projects.

Isn’t that often the case with January? We set intentions and then we don’t follow through.

Once we realize, it, though, we can pause. We can start again.

I will finish my exciting projects. But first, I need a bit more nurturing.

What about you? Are you following through with your intentions? Do you need a pause? Another chance to start fresh?

A creative prompt:

I hesitated giving you a prompt this time. I don’t want to add pressure to DO MORE to a month where there’s already too much pressure.

But I do want to give you a nudge to shift your thinking.

I want you to pay attention to your self-talk. Specifically to what you say about yourself and your creativity. Are there things you say you’re not good at? Are there things you say you can’t do?

Over the last few months, I’ve been working on a project I once would have said I couldn’t do. This negative thinking was even after I’d been making art for years.

I’m remembering at one time I also used to say I’m not an artist. Again and again, I told myself I can’t draw and I can’t paint.

Looking back I wish I hadn’t limited myself. All those years ago… and more recently, too.

So these days, when I catch myself with thoughts like that I stop and think, is that really true?

I hope you’ll catch yourself, too. And then maybe work to prove yourself wrong.

Some inspiration:

• Amy Stewart shares an interesting intersection of research and art in this piece about collage.

• This quilt of the solar system, created around 1876 is beautiful and its story is fascinating.

• I don’t really suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out), but it was interesting to read about how Anna Wilson does.

• Here are 20 ways to jumpstart your creativity.

• Do you keep a journal? Susannah Conway shares why she does in this post.

• Are you planning on starting seeds for your garden? Here’s a helpful guide.

• For even more garden information and inspiration, check out Floret’s Growing Resource Roundup.

• And if winter is really getting you down and you need more gardens, watch a year in Mona’s cottage garden.

• I just started reading Ross Gay’s newest book, Inciting Joy. I checked out the audiobook version (read by him), too. So far it’s wonderful. I loved his Book of Delights and think you would, too.

• Kerstin Martin is always so inspiring. Her message about the new year really resonated with me.

• Tara Leaver reminds us all we need to do is take the next step.

One last thing… you may have noticed that this note is coming a bit later than usual. I’ve set a new schedule for myself this year. My Joy Letters will now come out on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, alternating with my blog which will come out on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays (I share more about that here).

It’s another instance of me paying attention to what I need and then doing something about it.

I hope you’re paying attention to what you need. And making changes to support it.

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'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.

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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