Wellness and Work Life in 2022 🎆!

As I promised in my last post, it's a newsletter/blog post! I figured it would be a great start to our new year together to cozy up and chat. How are you doing? Do you have anything you're aiming for in the new year?

I have stood by the fact that I'm not really for "new years resolutions" because so often, I fall off with them and then feel disappointed that I wasn't able to achieve a (sometimes unrealistic) goal. At this time last year I thought I would be able to keep up with my Japanese studies, as well as fix all my issues with body image/exercise addiction/my relationship with food. 

The first of which I didn't realize would be unrealistic until I got my workload for the new year and became so busy and overwhelmed that I barely had time for people that I loved, let alone practice another language. 

The second is a long journey. And I realize this now. It's something I have been dealing with and will deal with for perhaps, the rest of my life. I'm quiet about it--even those closest to me don't know about it--because I'm afraid I will be shamed or told that "I look fine, so I shouldn't worry". This issue in itself  is something I could write an essay on. But I did make baby steps toward change in this area of my life. It was unrealistic that I thought it could be magically fixed. After all, I'm human! 

This year I have decided that instead of speaking resolutions out into the world, I will just be taking action without questioning it. If I feel like I want to do something, I'll do it. I have been doing this since late December and I haven't felt this satisfied and centered in a while. 

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇What I'm doing⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

I have said no to a possible book project because I know my limits this year. 

I have started experimenting with new types of art and design that I haven't tried before.

I scheduled and got a full body massage with focus on my hands and neck (the artists' points of destruction), and then decided to sign up to get them once a month (!!!)

I got a new doctor because I wasn't comfortable with my previous one, set up an appointment, and feel kind of...excited about it. I have never felt excited about the doctors before, maybe this is a result of it being the first doctor I have chosen entirely by myself, for myself. 

I called a therapist's office  to schedule an appointment for the first time in my life after years of wanting to. My first session is coming up soon!

I'm just focusing more on myself. Working out to get stronger. Cooking meals to nourish my body. Saying no when I need to. Listening to what my body needs. Taking myself out and trying new things.

I feel proud of myself. :-) I feel like I've come out of an extremely overwhelming year, allowing myself the rest I finally can have. Obviously, there will still be ups and downs. Feeling all of our feelings, including the "bad" ones can be hard. Sometimes I used to think that feeling happy was right, and feeling sad or frustrated was wrong and should be fixed, but I think I'm finally coming to accept that this is what it means to live fully. A full life including feeling all the feelings. 

Thanks for being patient with me while I pulled myself back together this past year. I'm really excited for the future--how about you?

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Work Life in 2022⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Now that I've seen what it's like to take on way too much and say yes to nearly everything that came my way, I have a better idea of how to navigate the freelance work world in a balanced manner. Yes, I won't be making as much money. But that's okay. I found out I far value my life balance and mental health over some extra money. 

What I know for sure that I'll be working on is Book 2 of ARDEN HIGH called King Cheer (guess I need to brush up on my King Leer knowledge...I will admit I've never read or watched it). I spoke with my agent and told him that if possible, I'd like to only work on that this year, and possibly a couple book covers, OR (not and) a single picture book with a subject matter I'm really passionate about. 

(pictured above) I went plein air painting in Asheville earlier this week. I haven't plein air painted since college, and that was because it was literal homework for painting classes! But man, I missed it. My fingers were so cold they could barely move across the paper, so I only got in a couple tiny paintings outdoors. This is something I wouldn't have had time for last year. I want to start doing more things like that--artwork for the sake of playing, not anything else. Obviously, with tattooing in mind and possible selling some original work, I will be making money from some of the "fun work" I plan to do, but this is not the sole purpose for it. 

It is creativity before money this year. I know I am in a place of privilege to say this, and I recognize that. I feel so much gratitude to be able to take it easier on work this year...but please hold me accountable if you see me starting to overwork myself again!

I got an exciting email yesterday that the PR person for Mushroom Rain reached out to a book store I recommended and I'll be doing a full window display for them in March to promote the book! This has been a dream of mine since I became a book illustrator (and admittedly, even before that). This is not something I'll get paid for since it is to promote sales of the book, but I'm not even really thinking of that. I just can't wait to draw on a window and make some fun paper shapes ALL ABOUT MUSHROOMS in one of my favorite local indie bookstores. 

The store is Malaprop's in downtown Asheville. It's an incredible indie bookstore, so if you're local please check it out! 

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Some Good Things⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Finally, I'll wrap up with some things I am excited about/appreciating lately. I know some of you really liked when I made lists of things I was psyched about , so I'd like to get back to doing that more regularly. I just need to remind myself to write them down when I think of them--I encourage you to do the same! And please share them with me. 

-My new hobonichi planner. I just love the size, the layout, and the whole look of it.

-wearing bracelets. I was previously not a bracelet person until I found the right ones. 

-Using a digital journal, rather than a paper one. I don't really use my hobonichi for hardcore writing, moreso jotting down whatever comes to my mind or doodling. I needed a way to get back to journaling more in-depth, but I have a lot of trouble with the speed/hand pain of physically writing long entries. So I started using Day One, a digital journaling app where I can type and get my thoughts out faster and more efficiently!

-my new air fryer!! I have barely used it but I can't wait to shove absolutely everything in there.

-making coffee at home. I forgot how I liked this, because for nearly a year now I have been going out to coffee shops almost every day to do my book work. Now that I'm able to slow down a little, I have enjoyed making it at home again.

-stuff you should know. I realize this is not new information seeing as I've been a listener of their podcast for years, but I recently started listening with regularity again. Their episodes on ants and the Dysonsphere got me excited about learning again. 

-I saw Washed Out (you might know him because he did the portlandia theme song) in concert and I feel like, even though I already loved his music, I'm appreciating it on another level now.

-golden kiwis. They are even sweeter and softer than normal kiwis. This is especially helpful for a ~good poop~.

-Apple and Onion on HBO max

-spaghetti squash. What the hell, you're telling me this spaghetti is actually squash?? How am I just now starting to use this? 

-the feeling of organizing a small portion of your space that you have been meaning to organize. For me, this was under my bathroom sink. Everything has a logical place now, and there's no more bending over and digging to get to the nail clippers or my hair styling paste or a cotton ball. 

-and finally, you guys. I don't think that you realize I still remember certain comments that you have left on posts from 7 months ago. I run through so many things that you say in my mind, and it always makes me smile. I love it here, I really do! Thanks for being open with me, leaving a comment, or just reading this silently. I have no idea what you're thinking on the other side of the screen, but just know I'm happy you're here. 

Talk to you soon. 🧸

-JG