Over Christmas break, my day job closes for 10 days. Most years, that’s catch-up and family time, but this year, I was determined it would be a true rest for me. The pandemic has created a lot of mental overwhelm for me and I knew, going into the new year, that I needed to step back from everything and just hibernate for a while. Focus on me, sleep, and time with my family. For once, that’s actually what I did! (I know, all of my fellow achievers are just as shocked as I am…) I spent a lot of time planning (which is both helpful and crafty…I decorate spreads on my Passion Planner that I use to track goals throughout the year). Reading. Journaling. Cooking…and starting a new art journal. Wait…what? Do Yes, if you are a craft person, you know how the lure of a new artistic expression can sneak up and overtake you. I happened to be playing around on YouTube and came across an artist’s channel called The Unexpected Gypsy. Lovely woman from Wales with the most soothing accent of all time! In addition to painting, sketching, etc, she does art journaling. Now, I’ve seen it before, and always thought it looked cool, but never actually tried doing it. Here’s what drew me:

1. It can be as complicated or uncomplicated as you like.
2. It can be about anything that interests you…important or unimportant.
3. No measurable goals.
4. Whatever you create can be added to, covered over, layered until it is transformed into whatever final vision you want.

I’m very goal driven, to the point that being off from my goals by even a small bit can make me feel like a total loser. Every craft I’ve ever tried has turned into an obligation in some way. But not this. I can’t sell it, measure it, or create it for someone else. So this would be pure artistic expression…something that excites me and allows me to return to the fundamentally creative person that I’ve always been. Sound like fun? What excites you at the moment? Dani Don't forget to grab your copy of HOLIDAY STORM before it goes off sale next week! Currently only 99 cents! Check it out HERE!