Home Space, Heart Space, and New Horizons
Morning in my home studio
Dawn is breaking, and I can just feel that it’s going to be a gorgeous day. It’s been so uplifting to hear birdsong return to the early hours. The first flowers and emerald glances of moss have emerged from a long winter’s sleep, and a blossoming sense of renewal has taken root. It’s like feeling the world thaw around you in this moment, as forward momentum and new energy unfurl within.
Rejuvenation and movement--these two words best summarize what’s been happening.
Lately, I have been…
Taking more walks outside, and occasionally running (in short distances, definitely readjusting!)
Appreciating the first signs of spring wherever I see them
Seeking out music inspired by the moon and making playlists
Listening to an excellent audiobook that I can’t wait to review, in the spirit of the coming holiday
Sorting through new books and crystals for the Travel Shop
Revitalizing my studio home space to reflect my heart space
Preparing to start work on a large-scale painting project (mural!!)
Drinking lots of peppermint green tea, to warm the cool mornings
New day, new page
This is a week of some excitement, with new projects and commitments springing to action. In the shadow of the Pieces New Moon, I have found myself more aware of the emotional pulse of these new beginnings, evaluating how the action I’m taking aligns with so many things I’ve dreamt of but haven’t truly tried. It’s a pairing of a new outlook with everything I’ve learned up to this point, and a powerful desire to revolutionize the old, established way with a new practice.
As I write this, I am absorbing every quiet beat of watching the colors of dawn shift. I found a new desk this week, and have transformed this part of my studio into a writing and illustration haven. I hung new lights, cleared out the old, dusty stuff that had long-occupied this corner, and decided to give the time and care to create a true heart space. A space open to new possibilities and authentic, heartfelt expression.
Over time, I have learned the importance of supporting your outer world to reflect the highest expression of your inner world. And, to allow that to change and evolve over time, as you do. For a very dark and pivotal period of my earlier life, home was not a happy place in the traditional sense. I think this outer environment, at the time, was what motivated me to create a strong sense of home from within. Essentially, a place where I could let my guard down, exhale, listen, create, and be honest with myself. This manifested into many songs, drawings, late night drives, and dreams of travel.
There’s a beautifully unique Welsh word for this kind of displacement and yearning for a home you’ve never known, but felt and know within. They call it Hiraeth. I truly believe that allowing our inner compass and longing to guide us, to express those desires openly and honestly, is a large part of what helps us create a true sense of home. In doing this, home becomes wherever you are, because it is anchored by an internal space that branches out to shape your external environment and relationships.
I used to feel like I didn’t have enough time available to actualize my own inner world through my external surroundings. That separation was sharply felt, but I tried to ignore it. Faced with a daily mountain of tasks, bills, commitments, and a packed schedule, I would race around and crash-land for a few light hours of sleep in between seemingly endless days. I remember aching for the ability to withdraw from that frenetic pace and be in stillness, to be home more. During that period, I didn’t yet understand how to value my own time equally to the time I gave others. Now that I do have a better grasp of that understanding, I will never allow myself to revert back to that machine-like modality because I simply can’t--old ways are outgrown by new understanding.
As I look at the upcoming projects on the horizon, I feel--confident. Genuine excitement. The old, looming dread that used to weigh on me as I surveyed an endless sea of overwork is no longer there. Sometimes I feel the ripples of anxiety rise from its absence, but I can now pivot right back to the present and experience immense gratitude for what is. When I allow myself to fully embrace these new possibilities, it is the most free, gracious, empowering thing. To be in a place aligned with my heart space, from my home space, committing to work that I truly want to do.
On the near horizon:
In the coming week, I am starting work on a mural! I’ll be creating a new blog category for my creative work, called “The Artist’s Studio.” The intention is to establish a space to document and share the process, opening the journey to anyone who is interested. This featured work will include commissions, large scale projects, endeavors inspired by our travels, and really--all things art! I am very much looking forward to kicking this off in the coming week. As I immerse myself in listening to audio books, music, and lots of paint.
Wishing you all a happy, creative, rejuvenative week to come!
