So this is something new Iām tryingāan effort to post more regularly while also reflecting for myself. Itās mostly inspired by Jules Acreeās Slow Brew Sunday.
I chose Kettle On because Iāve been reflecting on my great-grandma Joe, as you may have seen in my āCreateā section the other day. I have a tea set of hers that sits in my china cabinet, and I canāt help but think of all the stories and knowledge that passed over top of it at the kitchen table. Kettle On gives that same cozy, invitational vibe, but without tethering me to a strict schedule.
For now, Iād like to post on the first day of the new monthāreflecting on the past one and setting intentions for the next. So, here goes.
In spite of January plunging us Winnipeggers into a deep freeze right after Mother Nature teased us with spring-like weather, my mood didnāt crash along with the temperature.
That said, my mood did dip with the ongoing news of the abhorrent actions of ICE and the current administration in the United States. Treating other human beings this way is achingly unjust and horrificāand if thatās the āfreedomā the Star-Spangled Banner refers to, I want no part of it.
So how have I been coping?
Continuing sobriety. Bringing bullet journalling back into my life. Regular journal reflections. Vision boarding. And lots and lots of art. Writing to escape reality. Digital art to create beauty. Beadwork to bring me back to patience.
āØ Highlights
With less time spent scrolling, I became more creative. I put pen to paperāer, fingers to keyboardāand wrote two parts of my first Aynsley Court short story titled, āAynsley Court Remainsā. Somewhere in the shower between shampooing and conditioning, I also landed on a meaningful way to celebrate my ancestors, āThe Matriarchā became the first piece in that series.
Our new home levelled up its cozy factor with a cuddle chair for the sunroom and curtains for our bedroom. Little touches go a long way. The cuddle chair has become my primary writing spot since it arrived.
On January 24, I celebrated 11 months sober and began writing my one-year reflection. It didnāt come easily at all, which makes it feel even more meaningful to be this close.
š§ Challenges
Feeling like weāre living in end-times energy. Whether itās the threat of being conquered by a country meant to be our ally, or increasingly extreme weather patterns as a direct result of climate changeāitās heavy to carry.
Organizing myself for a new year. I used to be fully committed to the bullet journal, then drifted into a Notion + Cyberry Planner era (shoutout to K. Digital Studio). I thinkāhopeāIāve finally landed on a combination of Notion and paper that works for me.
Showing up more when it comes to caring for our home. Living with my partner has been incredible. The difference now is that Iām not just showing up for myself (and only when I feel like it)āIām showing up for us. He does a lot around the house, and itās important that I meet that care with intention.
š§ Lessons
Creating is medicine. Good friends celebrate you and your accomplishments. Even small connections make a difference.
š„ Letting Go Of
Self-blame. Showing up on a schedule. Hustle.
š± Carrying Forward
In February, I want to carry forward no-pressure creativity. It makes me a better artist, and less time on social media has helped me loosen my grip on hustle culture.
Making a more conscious effort to connect with the people I loveāregularly, intentionally.
A weekly Sunday morning writing ritual. It might be a journal or something I feel moved to write here but I want to keep writing.
š® Intentions for February
Keep up my 5-Minute Journal daily. I use The 5-Minute Journal and itās just a nice and simple way to start and end my day.
Finish the final two parts of Aynsley Court Remains. As I mentioned in a recent note, Iām feeling the heaviness of the world I created but Iām excited to get to the final part and explore new Aynsley Court stories.
Read two books. Iāve always felt comforted by my nightly reading routine and I love to see my yearly book stack grow!
Weāre all just hanging in there. Youāre not aloneāand if it feels like you are, you can always message me.
The kettleās on. Pour yourself a cup and join me at the table.
Steeping in This Month āļø
š Reading: One by One ā Freida McFadden
šŗ Watching: Tell Me Lies
š§ Listening: SWAG II ā Justin Bieber
š¹ļø Playing: Animal Crossing New Horizons
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Brittany J. L. May is where I think out loud, make things with my hands, and follow curiosities wherever they lead ā through letters, creating, wandering, and everything in between.
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