Welcome, 2022: Choosing Purpose

Cheers to 2022, dear friends. It’s been quite the journey these past couple of years, hasn’t it? For many of us, it’s been a season of tremendous growth—perhaps not because we chose to grow, but instead because the circumstances required it.

As we enter the New Year, I want to affirm the goodness in what you’ve experienced.

You’re here. You made it. You lived through a challenging time, and allowed it to help shape you—you allowed yourself to grow.

As many people share their annual highlight reels, I want to remind you that YOU are exactly where you are supposed to be. Every experience has brought you closer to the person you are meant to be. Every season has purpose in the story of your life—including the highs and the lows, and all the quiet moments of growth in between. 

Let’s celebrate our successes, while honoring the failures that have helped us grow. Let’s acknowledge the quiet moments of growth behind the successes and the failures.

I set out at the beginning of 2021 with the intention to live well… And in many ways, I did. I set my focus on experiences that are life sustaining rather than life draining. I’ve been much more intentional with my time: selective about investing my energy, protective of my boundaries. I’ve given priority to nature, to creativity, and to relationships. I’ve leaned into flexibility and embraced growth in new ways. There are also things (many things) I wish I had done differently. Growth isn’t easy—and I still have a lot to learn.

But it doesn’t have to happen all at once. In fact, I don’t think it should. Sustainable growth usually happens slowly. It often happens in the quiet moments no one sees… Growth often unfolds through internal moments of discernment and clarity. Consistency builds strength.

And if this time of year feels too rushed for you, or your heart isn’t ready for big dreams… don’t feel like you have to set goals by some arbitrary deadline. You can find a fresh start any time of year: you are the author of your intentions, and the author of your own timeline.

Lean into what feels right for you in this season. This year, I’m choosing to lean into the spirit of the new year as an opportunity to refresh my intentions.

I usually jot down a few ideas about the overarching vision for my year, both personally and professionally. In case you’re curious, here’s a peek into what my intentions look like for the year ahead:

---

2022 Word of the Year: PURPOSE.

Bring purpose to the daily practice of my work: approach the creative process with thoughtfulness, intention, and gratitude. Choose my words and actions with purpose, in alignment with my values. Create meaningful work, driven by pursuit of Beauty and Truth.

Be intentional in the daily practice of my work. Seek joy in the creative process. Honor the gift of creativity. Find restoration and balance. Create thoughtful designs that will be as transformative for our clients as they are for our own creative souls.

Approach every circumstance with integrity and an open heart. Be wise and discerning. Take responsibility for words and actions. Be an observer of myself and of the world around me. Every task is an opportunity for mindfulness; every experience is an opportunity for growth. I can choose how I want to walk through successes and challenges: I choose to respond with grace, kindness, and wisdom.

Serve clients with generosity and gratitude. Wholeheartedly offer creativity and insight. Create with focus, presence, and commitment.

New in 2022:

A few updates from the studio as we settle into the rhythm of a new year:

• Limited Availability: a more selective project calendar. This year, we’re pursuing a new level of commitment to our clients. We are accepting fewer projects this year, in the hopes of serving each client with deeper focus, creativity, and purpose.
  
• Team Growth: our team has continued to grow over the past year. I’m incredibly grateful for the talented designers and incredible project manager who have helped shape our design studio, and who will continue to offer their skills and expertise into 2022 and beyond.
  
• Pattern Design: over the past two years, I’ve learned so much from Bonnie Christine’s mastermind. With the knowledge and resources I’ve gained from her mentorship, I look forward to pursuing pattern design for art licensing in the coming year. I can’t wait to share this work with you in the near future!

And again this year…

It is my intention to pursue experiences that are life-sustaining rather than life-draining.

What does that mean for me? It means choosing joy over negativity. It means seeking connection to the earth around me and appreciating the ever-present beauty of nature. It means choosing people who fill my life with love and laughter, rather than depleting my energy. It means prioritizing self-care, rather than giving in to anxiety, stress, or worry. It means setting discerning boundaries around the content I consume, and seeking ideas that enlighten and inspire me. It means working from a place of creativity, inspiration, and gratitude. It means choosing to savor inspiring sunsets, good books, and fresh coffee.

I wish you all the brightest in 2022. May this year be one filled with deepest peace and profound joy in whatever you do.

Cheers to a year guided by purpose.