Hi friends! Happy New Year to you. January came to us swift and sure and cold, all the while withholding the one thing that redeems the final chapter of a dark winter: snow. There is snow in the forecast tonight late late late and I don’t think I’ll be able to stay up for it, and feel as though by the time I wake up tomorrow morning, it will all be frozen goop instead of a fluffy white blanket. I still have hope though, always remembering the year that the “snowpocalypse” almost ruined my mid-February birthday. We have hot cocoa in our pantry just in case.
It’s hard for me to know how much I want to share in this space, because I always want it to be a warm hug for readers to come to, a good and bright spot where creativity is king and daydreamers are welcome. But to be totally honest, it has been a really, really challenging few months. I’ve been in some circumstances one right after the other that have made me have to really work to stand up for myself, and have to rethink future plans, and wonder what fresh garbage the next day will hold, and it has been exhausting. I have found myself longing over and over for things not to be this hard, and to wonder “why”, and all sorts of understandable but ultimately unhelpful thought patterns for which my regular schedule of therapy has been a complete godsend.
I saw an image on IG the other day that reflected on how growth looks different for everyone: a picture of two plants, one which was blooming, and one with an extensive system of deep roots, but only a few leaves to the naked eye. It resonated with me deeply, and I know I am growing strong roots in this season. They will be hard-fought and (I hope) solidifying moving forward.
AND YET. In the midst of all of this. Joy. I received no fewer than three bouquets from the people in my life who love me the most this week. B and I have perfected a new couch snuggle that guarantees I fall asleep completely warm and perfectly happy in five minutes flat. I have started a new mug collection and it is bringing an actual, full smile to my face every time I see it. My grocery store hyacinth has the most heavenly scent you can imagine! We have a new president! And of course, there is knitting. My mental energy has been real low by the time I have space in my day to work on new designs, but I am still working on a new mitten design that I am excited to share with you hopefully soon.
I hope that whatever this new year has already brought, you are digging deep, staying cozy, and that you are lucky enough to experience the perfect stillness of a snowy morning.