Thoughts on health and creativity
A seasonal reminder
Dear reader,
This year started differently.
I was forced to start it with rest, the kind I didn’t choose because I didn’t listen to my body, and only now I’m starting to feel like I’m returning to myself. When I was ill, all I could think about was how much I longed to feel good again, how health is the foundation of everything, a privilege not to be taken for granted— to wake up and have the energy to walk, to have legs that carry me, hands that create, a voice that connects and communicates, eyes that see, that can be surprised and inspired.
Starting the year this way has given me perspective. I spent those quiet days dreaming of all the things I would do once I felt better. Some of them brought me joy, knowing they were already part of my life. Others gave me clarity about where I want to go, what truly matters. What I dreamt of when I couldn’t do them showed me the direction I want to take.
The importance of being healthy to create. A sacred dance between wellness and creation. Not only physical but also mental, are essential. The last few years have been a deep journey inward, and the more I invest in myself, the more space my art and creativity take. Connecting with my voice, my worth, and what I have to offer has transformed my work. I wouldn’t be writing to you now if not for that. I gave myself permission to try something new, to be bad at it, to keep exploring the spectrum of my creativity. What started as an experiment in writing has now spilled into other parts of my life—in how I show up, in the opportunities I pursue, like applying to an artist residency for summer. How we do one thing, we do everything and it all began with small steps, and most importantly imperfect steps: Finally completing The Artist's Way, creative rituals, filling my days with tiny actions that nurtured my creativity, that lead me each day to feel more like an artist because my days are a reflection of that. We are what we do, and I don’t mean in the sense that you get your value out of it, what I mean is that our life is a reflection of the decisions and actions we take.
Though it was hard, this start of the new year has aligned perfectly with one of my biggest experiments for 2025—living in tune with the cycles of nature. It meant allowing myself not to have everything figured out in January. It’s still winter, and I’m letting myself do what winter calls for: resting, slowing down and taking care of myself. That doesn’t mean inaction; choosing rest is an action on its own, laying a strong foundation for the year ahead. My actions will be fewer but more intentional. Sometimes what we need isn’t more, but less—clearing space so what we want can slowly start to bloom in March.
For the longest time, I confused slowness and rest with weakness, seeing them as a reflection of my value, of not-enoughness. I became trapped in a dog-paddling energy, constantly moving for the sake of feeling productive. I have learned with time and patience that I, too, deserve rest. Everything in nature dies so it can bloom again, and I’m part of nature, too. Sometimes, growth happens in those quiet moments where the roots are growing stronger and deeper. Rest is not a sign of weakness but the foundation for future flourishing.
Wherever you find yourself in your internal seasons, I hope you give yourself some rest.
MY RULES FOR WINTER:
1. Focus on one thing after work - one important thing a day.
2. Sleep 9 hours.
3. Minimize coffee and change for matcha, or tea.
4. Read more novels
5. Sundays are for creations and inspiration
6. Nourishing meals: soups, soups, soups
7. Finish projects that I’m still carrying from last year
8. Dopamine detox
9. Keep it to the essential
10. HAVE FUN, you are resting, you are not boring.
NOTICING: little things to tap in the dreamy cosy energy of winter
A visual: Magical and stunning photoshoot. Like she was the universe itself.
A book: Devotions by Mary Oliver, I read somewhere about reading a page a day of poetry to add an optimistic and beautiful feeling through the day.
A song: I discovered this song yesterday and can’t stop listening to it, so romantic
This is so right! Slowness and rest is NOT weakness -- we need it!
Such a lovely read. Sending healing energy your way!