Happy Spring Equinox friends!
I don't know about you, but after a not so mild winter here in the Santa Cruz mountains, we are so very ready for Spring.
Spring is magical time of year. It is a time of renewal, a shaking off of the long and cold days of winter and a time to embrace the light. This is a time where gardeners are getting most excited as new seeds are sown and there is a frenzy of activity prepping beds and pathways for new plantings.
Speaking of planting, let's talk a little about planting the intentions we made earlier this winter. The other day I was on a call with another artist maker, and we were talking about our plans for 2023. I was feeling their struggle, and could hear them ask the same questions that I've often found myself asking.
"What does success really look like for me? How do I want to live my life? Do I really want to keep going with project X, Y, Z?"
If you're ever feeling stuck and having trouble figuring out the answer to these questions, there are a myriad of tools out there available to you. The question is, in the world of so much information and lots of experts sharing advice across so many channels, it can be super overwhelming to figure out where to start.
I've spent the last 10 years investing in tons of classes - both for personal and professional development - and even hired a few different coaches to help me gain clarity and tools on how to be my best self.
Well friend, what I've found is that with the right set of tools, you CAN achieve anything you really want. However, the road there WILL BE met with obstacles, detours and distractions. What really matters is knowing why you're on that road, AND having a clear road map to help you go where you're going.
If you slow down and make the time to invest in yourself, connect with your why, and apply what you learn into practice, slowly, you WILL see change.
But it IS hard. And it DOES take time. And often, you're going to feel like things are going painstakingly slow. Which is why, knowing your why is the KEY to clarity.
Because when you're faced with that shiny new thing, distraction, or a life hiccup, and you’re ready to throw in the towel, being connected to your why will be the key to whether you decide to keep going on your path or maybe even to choose a different one.
Before we dive into tools to help with connecting with our head, the the first tool is a practice that connects us with our heart. It's a practice I've been doing since I was old enough to put scissor to paper and able to wield glue sticks!
Vision boarding.
A vision board can be so many things. It is a powerful tool to connect you with your heart and soul desire, but also what lies beneath in your subconscious domain.
For example, one year I created a vision board for what was then a project around my “artist brand.” I was working with a designer, and so I thought in order to speak each other's language, I'd create a board to show her my color palette, textures and design aesthetics.
Well, in retrospect, as I look back at the board, it was my subconscious mind opening me up to creating earth vessels. This board was created 2 months before I made the very first earth vessel gift.
Do you see the dried flowers, the glass tubes and all the delicious earthy elements? After I created the board I remember thinking - "where did this come from?" It's not at all what I thought my stamp as an artist would be.
When I created this board, I really had no words in mind. I had pulled a multitude of images from various sources, weeded out what didn't resonate and then placed everything on the board. It was completely an intuitive process.
So I encourage you, if you plan to make a vision board, especially if it’s the first time, to find a quiet corner for yourself. No phones and as minimal disruptions as possible. I understand this may be a challenge depending on your life circumstances, but WHERE you can and WHEN you can, create that quiet space of time to do this exercise.
So go on and get crafty.
Grab a stack of your favorite magazines, journals, anything with visuals that resonate with you. You can also create a board digitally if scissors and glue are not your thing, or if you'd like to have your vision board be your screensaver on your window.
One last thing - the number one question I usually hear around vision boarding, is when is the right time of year to create one?
While I usually create mine around mid-winter time, creating a board when you feel the timing is right is the best time for you. However, if you’d like to connect with the power of the seasons, the spring equinox is an auspicious time for visioning.
If you’d like to combine the power of vision boarding with daily or weekly journaling, I’ve found that the Dream Life Workbook combines some pretty potent questions with lots of pages to write or draw out your answers.
I usually prefer a blank page journal and have been disappointed many times with various journals that include prompts or questions, but the Dream Life Workbook has been a game changer for me.
My most favorite parts of the journal are the monthly reflection sections as well as the first 10 or so pages that asks you to take a deep dive into facing your fears.
If you're interested in picking one up, head on over to our ritual page to select your copy.
So friend, may you find the answers you are seeking and give yourself the time for them to arrive. Often, we may wish for answers to arrive post haste, but honestly, the timing of things is magic within itself.
Give yourself space and patience to sprout, bloom and grow. After all, nothing in nature blooms all year. Be gentle with yourself.
With all my love,
Charina