An honest update, what's been going on? And some gratitude journaling to help ease the January blues
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- I'm sharing an honest update this week as we have some catching up to do. I need to take some space and have a pause. Some time to find my inner compass; regroup, reset and restore. Also, I am showing my current gratitude practices and gratitude journaling process too. I'm finding these things a real cure for the January blues. They improve my mindfulness, help me do the whole slow, quiet living thing and also give me chance for reflections without it feeling too overwhelming. Thanks as always for keeping me company! Biggest Loves, Wendy. Xxx
For all my art journaling & painting videos, secret vlogs, podcasts, Livestreams, happy mail etc. you can check out our inspiring Patreon community here -
Patreon - / theunexpectedgypsy
I appreciate all my patrons, past, present and future, thank you so much for all your support!
You can also find me here -
Instagram - / the.unexpected.gypsy
And, for my Art Shop - Etsy Shop - www.etsy.com/u...
I get my Art Supplies here!
Jackson’s Art Supplies - 10% of your first order;
www.jacksonsar...
Affiliate Link (I get a small commission)
FAQ! My stripey top - (back in stock!)
www.jallostore...
(this is not sponsored or affiliated but it is my daughter!)
/ jallo_co
My current favourite Art Supplies - (not sponsored or affiliated!)
Khadi journals & paper
Strathmore mixed media papers
Arches papers
Windsor & Newton watercolours & oils
Pebeo matt gel medium
Liquitex gel mediums
Golden gel mediums
Caron Dache Luminance coloured pencils
Prismacolour crayons
Neo Color 2 by Caron Dache
Faber Castel Graphite pencils & mechanical pencils
Mod Podge
Stazon ink
Liquitex acrylic paints & inks
Jackon's acrylic paint
Jackson's acrylic brushes, pro range
Princeton Watercolour brushes
Disclaimer:
This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are honest and my own.
#artist #artjournals #artistvlog
I decided that the biggest picture works a little better for me than the small. Like setting of a goal to paint more. Well, that can be acrylic or watercolor or whatever I feel that day. Instead of telling myself you must learn watercolor by next year. Or like I want to clean up my house. Instead of saying you must do this room first and then this one. Instead i have the major goal (painting, cleaning/organizing the house) and focus on mini goals by the day. So today I want to paint acrylic and I want to organize my closet. But tomorrow I might want to practice watercolor and organize the kitchen. Or maybe I will want to go out and not work on a goal. I'm trying to be kinder to myself. I just can't do strict metrics. It's too stressful.
A big part for me is realizing why I might not be doing something and for how long have I given it up. If it's been 2 weeks and I haven't touched the goals, I ask why. Is it depression or laziness? And then I have to either give myself a break (depressed) or regain myself and get back to it.
such great strategies Kel, love this so much xxxxxx
I am finding having a master list written up, which I then break down into smaller actions, is working really well for me too. The last two years I have done this with decluttering and more general (but the more grittier) housework jobs. I haven't yet done my list for this year and already am feeling overwhelmed and like I'm wasting precious time! Guess I know what I shall be doing this weekend. xx
Hi Wendy, When I feel the January blahs, I remind myself that time is a man-made concept. January 1 isn't really the start of anything new. It's just another day. Mankind made January 1 the first day of a new year. But it's only an idea - a concept, so is the pressure we put on ourselves to make it mean something special, different, or new. If you feel like cocooning, go ahead and cocoon.
exactly! so true!!! i think i may sleep all through!! xxx
@@theunexpectedgypsy Make a fort in Your lounge and snuggle up
For me the beginning of a new year always has a special kind of magic, it’s a mixture of being a beautiful time to establish and /or try a few good habits and rituals if I really feel it without any pressure and overwhelm, much more joy- & playful ❤️. I went into intermittent fasting this year because I had so much terrible brain fog starting always with the darker decades here in the north. I tried it last year the first time but couldn’t really get into it after a few days. This year it’s working really great, I feel so much better with it, after a week the brain fog was gone, I feel so much ease and less depressing 😌.
I believe it’s not only a man made concept it’s part of the natural circle too even the human label for it is „New Year“. And because my believe system is completely in Mother Nature 🥰 I see it more as a invitation to step into something new if you feel it or if course just rest and sort more things out for yourself if you need it 🙏💖.
Every single January I hear every single body say the same thing you did. January isn't a time for renewal and awakening, that's for spring. January isn't for looking back, we should only do that to remember lovely things that happened. January is a post holiday letdown. January is for hunkering in to sleep, rest, breathe...without thinking too much. I just let January be. I just rest, meditate and breathe. I don't expect anything from myself or others. I love that you said you want to hibernate. It's what we're meant to be doing now. Hibernate and let the rest go. It'll be there when we get back to it, when we've rested.
When my awakening happens at 3:30 AM, I find if I grab a pen, my poetry is streaming right under the surface. I think so many are asleep, so the world is quieter around me. Those are the hours that my heart talks to me.
I am in hibernation mode until spring. It takes the pressure off, focusing more inward until the days are longer.
Love it! totes with you!!! xx
Dear Wendy, everything you said is the same with me. No sleep the worst. I've had some rare time off and had a long list of creative stuff I wanted to do. I've done none of it. Letting go of the 'shoulds' is hard as is guilt for 'wasting' this time. We've had a challenging 2 years which has taken it's toll also. Your words have given me comfort, so thankyou! Love and blessings to you. 🙏💖
it is the worst isn't it? let's sleep the rest of January and Feb too if we need it....!!!
My homeless family are with me, my landlady wants them out in 2 weeks, there is a housing crisis in my part of Australia and I am afraid they will drive away...to nowhere.Yes, they are adults,(except for my beloved 12 year old grandson and his little cat) and it's their problem but I can't stop worrying, so no sleep, the heat is debilitating,and we are very different people.Living together in a tiny house has been...awful. I feel like exploding with stress at my powerlessness so it's definitely time for some gratitude and miracles.Heres one miracle, I turned 70 on Boxing Day, for the first time in my life, I put my hand over my heart and said 'I love you'. Energy exploded inside me and maybe, just maybe, 2022 will bring some joy.Hugs to all here, however you are, and Wendy, thanks for being our guide.Kaye.🦋
Im having a “me too” moment hearing your musings. Thank you for sharing!
yes! we are not alone are we!!!!! xxxx
January is a month I love. The starkness, the slow beat, always feels such a relief after the festive season. I love wallowing in the shadows, to dig deep into the winter without all the expectations of christmas festivities. Inner work will strengthen our roots, we can deepen self care, on all levels. It's only when Imbolc comes that I feel any push to increase activity. I will cleanse my home, bring in some branches of buds to serve as my Imbolc tree, start to decorate and tie with ribbons and trinkets. in a slow and calm way.. But otherwise a beautiful month of stillness and reflection.
For a number of years, I have received a "word for the year" from Spirit rather than resolutions or intentions. Throughout the year, this word will "pop up"... Someone says it or I read something about it or I journal about it or do some art with the word etc... It's no pressure... I just allow the word to manifest through the year! 💛💫🌟
OH I LOVE THAT!! I will see what comes up xx
Ohhhhhh yes. 💕💕 It all resonates with me, Wendy. And I must be a bugger for punishment, because I just started a new job at the ripe young age of 58! (What was I thinking???!!!) But I think gratitude is the key to muddling through the millions of things in our minds and in our faces. Thank you for your musings and wafflings. They inspire me. Mercifully, my new job is in an art gallery, so I do have a wonderful environment in which to begin to learn again to be thankful. And it's cccccold here in Canada. Sending you love. ❤💕❤💕❤💕❤💕
Edit: Hey! That's my comment at 22:04! How fun to hear you say my name! I was quite suprised haha!
My dear Wendy, I feel the exact same way about Januaries. For me, January and December are always the most difficult months. January feels like you need to recharge yourself and prep for the new year and December is looking back and process what kind of year it has been. We are now 2 weeks in January and I'm still tired and I still am in the recharging phase and I don't feel like doing anything...
Yay! I wanted to surprise some peeps!!! Let's sleep the rest of January!!! xxxx
😀 YaY!...I so look forward to your RUclips posts Wendy! I’m saving this for later and will watch on the big screen, when it’s my bedtime.
I must have watched all of your videos 2 or 3 times each week...in between.....while waiting for your new ones to come out.
I miss you A lot when I have to wait for a new video 🤍
You are my favorite person on here! You bring me joy..no matter what the topic.
Sweet Blessings, and thank you for being “You” and sharing yourself with us.
I for one appreciate you so very much 💫
awww, thank you mermaid, see you later! xxx
@@theunexpectedgypsy 💫💞💫
Wendy, you are a beautiful gifted truth teller. The angel cloud James pointed to in the beginning of the video was magical. I too am in the Northern Hemisphere here in the US. I picked up my gratitude journal last night after many months . No excuse.. My head has felt foggy, nice walks in the cool air helps, walking my Yorkshire terrier Rocky and yoga help. I find myself getting stuff done , I am following the 5 second rule by Mel Robbins and it helps but sometimes I need to slow down and that’s ok too. Spring will be upon us before we know it. In the meantime, stay healthy, safe warm and keep that light shining so bright, it leads everyone out of the darkness if need be. Love to you, James and everyone reading this.
I just found your channel a few weeks ago....you are a shining light in this world today. I tend to isolate because I can only hand!e so much with the way the world is. I found junk journaling a few months before the pandemic started and other life things got in the way and I stopped. I have continued to work through the pandemic.....I'm in the medical field ...and its all too much. I love your ideas for journaling and your creative process.
Thank you for your channel.... It truly has been a safe place to come too.
As I've aged, I like to live more slowly and seasonally. Winter is a time of reflection, praying and doing things I need to catch up with. Loads of stretching
good books, art work and my tea bounty I grew in my garden. Its a time to cozy up in the blast of the cold and snow. Today after stretching
I took my dog for a walk along the lake. Its was so refreshing for both of us..Take care my dear and thank you for your lovely talk😊
My sleeplessness has been consistently either meager or sleeping too much for a while. I work in public a full work week. I am trying to find peace in my cluttered home. My home clean out will be epic this year.. Every Day is the new normal on a year's wheel.
Thank you for reminding me to create something new often. An intention of mine is to create bespoke space in my home for , meditating, yoga, creative endeavors, and a gratitude spot to remind me of so much gratitude through my life. . Time to inspect my stuff to see what resonates with intention as opposed to fear of letting go.
For a couple of years now I'm doing not my new year resolution at januari but at the end of my summer holiday. This takes away a lot of pressure. Lots of love from the Netherlands
so true... I never do them.... I review around the Equinoxes naturally.. xxx love to you and happy weekend xx
@@theunexpectedgypsy ❤
I think I heard it in one of your videos, to paraphrase...There's a time to cocoon and a time to shine bright. Lots of cocooning here with the cold winter days here in the U.S, but the sun is shining brilliantly today and I'm filled with joy watching the bluebirds gorge on the meal worms I put out for them. I've been keeping a gratitude journal for several years. I simply write down three things I'm grateful for that day. Some days it's a real struggle and not simple at all, but I've managed to find I am grateful for the smallest things. Thank you for sharing. Peace.
I feel the same too. Thanks a lot for this video. Feel like I'm not alone! Loads of self compassion and gratitude is the way..😊🙏
I can so relate to your thoughts and feelings here. I have always felt more connected to the Lunar/Chinese new year. The 12 year cycles make sense to me and I have recently learned to recognize my patterns in those cycles. Also, all the pressure of starting something new, this and that, has become so overwhelming. At 53, I find living in the "Now," like finding the peace you have amongst the trees is much more freeing. Much love to you and James.
….thinking is overreacted…….gratitude is felt with the totally of self, never processed…..simply and deeply felt within one’s heart……no need to put so much pressure on “doing” or getting it right. You are absolutely perfect just as you are…..and you are enough…..you are a living expression and extension of Divinity in form and it shows in your beautiful art work and loving, kind demeanor. Let life be……in whatever way it shows up…….many blessings ❤️
Wendy you probably don't need to reset at all but to just carry on! The cold and sleepless nights, and doing all you already do are enough! Your painting of the trees and blackbirds would make a fabulous print, it is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for your vlogs. I am isolated on an island and they really help.
I am watching this on a freezing, rainy day. The beginning of winter, and just moving into a hibernating stage. I am gathering seeds of ideas, to germinate when I have the energy to nurture them, and allow them to sprout. You are full of ideas to help us get through the slow times. I am focussing on self-care and gratitude, and trying to build up my energy.
I use tags, or little cards, to list something every day to be grateful for. Sometimes it's the big things, like the gift of life, and other times it's small, like a hot tea on a cold morning.
My plans for the winter are to absorb the warmth and light when the sun shines, eat properly, and write down ALL my ideas, even the silly ones, which may end up being the seeds that bloom when my energy grows. Hoping for some milder days, to go outside in nature, and some days to be inspired to create art. May we all find ways to nourish ourselves and recharge, no matter the season. Love, light, and gentle hugs
I do gratitude journaling. It allows me a time each day to realize that there is good and beauty in my life. I also am realizing that trials and disappointments often lead me to understand that even when things are hard or difficult just to keep moving forward and eventually the sun will shine again. Lisa Bunn
Thank you so much for this gentle reminder. I asked myself what would I want if I could have absolutely anything and immediately thought, I need some time alone. Since I live alone it's not too hard but my "in-home retreat " idea met with some resistance among friends :))) Still I decided to put my needs first, at least this month, to go within, do lots of painting, be still and just be me! So far it has done me a world of good! I also went on the wagon for Dry January to show love and appreciation to my body :) leading to better sleep and energy. gratitude morning and evening are the bookends of my days.
Yes January is a time to just chill and go with the flow. Time to sleep in if you can and get outside if we can and just take things in stride if we can. ❤️
exactly, so well said ! xx
I am really in the middle of nowhere at the moment. I’m not worrying about it too much. Have never functioned very well in cold weather.
I do know that once the weather brightens up and becomes warmer. I shall feel very much better and have so much more energy. ✨🙏💕
I am glad you shared the not sleeping well, feeling blah and unmotivated, all that seasonal stuff we forget happens and wonder why we feel as we do. It made me feel better to hear you talk about it. Sharing is caring and it’s nice to be honest about feeling a bit depressed. I too started throwing things out, like it was all closing in on me. It did help. Thanks sweetie I so enjoy listening to you and have been watching you for awhile now. I just never left a comment. I dated a man from England awhile back so it’s nice to see the countryside again and hear your beautiful accent. I just have a kindred spirit with the Brits and miss seeing England. I am also an artist, Watercolour mainly, and love decorating as well. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your take on life and your inspirational thoughts and feelings. A total fan! ❤️
Thank you again Wendy for your presence and input with me here in the 4am club. I find my gardening is the meditation space I need and writing long letters to my daughters my journaling process. Love to do a bit of arty stuff too.. sometimes they all overlap. Go with the flow. Keep up the chats, you're an important part of my life Lovely Lady. Mx
You're not alone and I'm so glad you are honoring yourself and your needs. Personally I think the new year should be the beginning of Spring...not mid winter!! I'm from San Diego, CA but lived in frigid Minnesota for over 20 years...I hate being cold so I feel your pain. Now I'm back on the West Coast thank goodness. Freezing and darkness is never inspiring for me as I truely believe I'm solor powered...maybe you are too, and need a new climate. Sending the warmist hugs and thanks for taking tine to inspire others even when you're feeling uninspired. Love, warmth and hugs
Each time I visit you, I become more fascinated with your ability to look within! Each doorway leads to love in your own processes, whether it is art, spiritual, or mental emotional health! Blessed and safe days!
Sunday was my 59th birthday🥳
Both body and mind did NOT want to do anything but vegetate. Instead, I pushed through, doing the obligatory dinner and such, and was completely miserable afterward. My back ached, the restaurant was loud, the food was tepid, and we got home past my regular bedtime. The following day was my actual birthday, and I hunkered down all day at home; resting. (I’m still Living and Learning Self Care/Self Love🥰
💝Note to Self: Listen to Me;)💞
Dear Wendy. I feel you, it is a challenge to let be wat needs to be. I often forget that as a woman just turned 50 en going though my menopause I have to go with my own flow. I have 3 teenagers in the house that keep me young at one hand, but I also feel it is not easy to keep up with their young energie. Every day is a challenge. I want to learn not to get angry so fast with myself when I feel and see that I can not do what my mind wants met to do. Trying to be Nice to myself everytime again. Thank you for your story, reminding me of slowing down again to the point where I need to be en trying to accept, with love to myself! Wish you and your family all the best. Love from Holland ❤
So true they should balance the bad with the good. I am having trouble with the flow of my creativity and I will not give up just get the glue and the markers out and put it to paper. I love journaling. May the fairies 🧚♂️ be with you love and appreciate our visits
they should! or they should lost their jobs!! haaha!! i had a soapbox moment there!! blessings and happy weekend xxxx
Usually January is not so bad for me...I have my birthday to look forward to and the afternoons are getting noticeably lighter. But this year I have new challenges to face so maybe today I'm putting too much pressure on myself waiting for those moments of change.
I normally just watch your videos and absorb them but for the first time I actually worked in my journal whilst watching/listening. Painted a butterfly
🦋
I have a small group of girlfriends. I feel that they are a really big help in this quiet time of the year. We remember each other of the need to be still and wait until our energie and creativity arises out of the stillness…. Like nature is preparing itself for de action that comes inevitably in spring…
That does not mean that we are not active in our art but that we try not to push ourselves against the natural puls of the time.
😍
Wendy, I am right with you on this one. January, although it is my birth month, always brings struggles for me too. Resolutions are far too much pressure when I’m trying to be kind to myself. Your nudge towards gratitude was much needed 🙏🏼 finding you on this platform has been filling me with so much joy and inspiration and right now, I am so grateful for you!
Thank you for sharing so honestly and openly. It is so refreshing 🥰 x
Hello Wendy. You are so right about the news. In recent years I have turned away from the news as it’s so repetitive and always negative. I do the same as you and only check in with the news when I want to. I have turned to RUclips for inspiration from people like you and feel much better for it. I have practiced mindfulness for years long before it was trendy so it’s interesting to me that it is now so talked about. It’s been a great coping mechanism and would recommend it to anyone. many thanks for your weekly videos xx
Yes, dear Wendy, it is a time to ebb for many of us...January. I try to keep it really gentle, at least until Imbolc, if not beyond. It's different each turning of the year. Hope you can keep hibernating as much as you need, and that sweet sleep finds you. xo lesley
You once referred us to a book called The Big Magic.. You embody the thoughts of the words in it. You find ideas and inspiration in so many areas.. Seems to me they are always in your head 💜💜 Ideas are not leaving you !
I love listening to you. Many thanks.
I found my December was that way. With the long, dark nights and short, grey days....I was having trouble sleeping, very little motivation!! Rough, very rough...I lost my beloved Aunt on Dec. 30th. On a positive note, with the daylight returning, more sunny, blue sky days my motivation has taken off. To be honest, I've been planning a trip south in February to warmer weather. So when Jauary came around, I found like I had purpose in life again. I made "to do" lists to get my house clean, deep cleaned, so I'll have a nice welcome home. Staring at the dust accumulating on bookshelves and tables was getting a bit much. Thanks to you, i purchased a bunch of journal supplies to take with me. (Love, love the corner punch) So, my house is way cleaner, I'm not as stressed waiting to the last minute to do things. I've been chipping away at projects. I've got two weeks to go and I'm finishing the list!! My sleep has returned to normal 11-7 -ish hours. Less tv watching helps...your videos have really helped and inspire me. I'm so happy to have found your youtube channel.
I was going to say that Imbolc is a lovely time to reset gently, see the start of new life, things starting to wake up. January is still time to rest and reflect. Also being a fellow Brit I understand the influences the weather here have. Be kind to yourself ❤️
I am grateful for the role that positive content in the RUclips world has had in my life in the past year and a half, your channel included. Since the first summer of the pandemic, I’ve discovered so much inspiration, comfort, and calm from RUclips channels such as yours, committed to providing a little beauty to others. Thank you! Today, I am comforted to hear that someone else is currently finding the idea of New Year resolutions overwhelming. ❤️ For now, I think I’ll just commit to building joy too, and continuing to create videos of all my favorite songs.
Hello lovely lady, First off, I truly enjoy watching your videos. I also noticed you have green grass in the horse pasture, in January, which is def not the case here in Ontario, Canada. We experience a different sort of winter in the Northern hemisphere. You are such a skilled artist and those tea cups are beautiful. Last, your style, colour and length of hair is an inspiration. What a celebration of our stage of life! TTFN
Aww, thank you so much sweet butterfly xx much loves and happy weekend! and yes, our time of life is the best so far !! xx
Hi, I totally agree. I find in January and February it’s really difficult to get myself motivated. I’ve decided for the first time to be kind to myself and not have such high expectations of myself. Nice to know I’m not alone:) love and light.
Ps. I love your hair!
I think in nature so many things hibernate naturally and I think we should be aware we might feel like doing the same! I used to hate January but I have learned to appreciate lots of aspects of it too! I love your gratitude journal and the lovely tree! X
I have the January pressure feeling.
I too am thinking of gratitude journal for helping me get thru this feeling. I totally understand, feel, and join you with the feeling.
Great share!!!
yes, it's horrid isn't it?? let's let it GO!!!! xx
“Ebb & Flow” is a beautiful analogy! My monkey mind doesn’t allow for traditional meditation; and at the suggestion of a friend 4 years ago I took up walking meditation with photography.
Focusing through the lens, (with no experience or expectation) I bring my attention away from thoughts and settle into the moment. Mother Nature, whether serene or wild is beautiful!
Much gratitude for beginning my Saturday’s work day with your gift of inclusion 🥰✌️🙏
yes, so true, who needs meditation with strict rules! we make it work our own way!!!!! xxxxxxx
I am grateful for you. Your honesty and vulnerability is very refreshing in a world that is so focused on go go go.
I have not been able to focus on my art for a while and I feel awful for it. I get January blues too and hopefully they pass for you and for myself soon.
I am so looking forward to this year with your videos, Wendy (and James!). You bring such a warm wholesomeness to my life, I'm so grateful for that. It's so nourishing and nurturing for me and much needed. Thank you a thousand times xxx
Dear Wendy, we have so much in common. I think everyone goes through these yearly ups and downs of life. I watch Christmas movies too!😀and I also think moments of gratitude are key to moving on in our daily journey.
Hi Wendy your energy is impressive. Setting up a company, regardless of the size, is very hard work. The planning the strategy development. It's truly admirable and inspiring.
I've decided that when Spring comes is when my "year starts". Winter just seems the wrong time to be setting goals. It seems a better time to look back on lessons learned, gratitude and doing lots of self care. A semi hibernation. Just because a calendar says do something doesn't mean we can't set a different date. Thank your for these videos
Hello Wendy, thank you for this week update. On 10 januari i had a smal hartoperation. I was a bit scared, but it went Allright. I am really tired and completely came to a halt. I feel i have to take my time so i do nothing.
I noticed that you do a lot! You have to organise the work on you tube and Instagram every week!
I think that is serieus work!
And the impact on us is huge, so don’t put yourself down for not beiing perfect! You are perfect just the way you are! In Holland it is also foggy and cold. I always rest in this time of year. It is only natural i think😘❤️
Ahhh Wendy, softest hugs and love to you dear friend. Your post today resonated with me on a huge level.
I’ve had such a time adjusting to this month. I’ve only just taken down Christmas, have a bit in garage to sort thru, but it’s so ruddy cold and the pain of arthritis has been bad which has limited me. My head cloudy from medication and I feel like so many others tired. It’s not been unusual for me to have good intentions when I wake up only to find myself under the covers and going back to sleep for a couple more hours.
I’m a night owl in much respects, and retired so no place I really have to be.
I’ve manage to clean up my studio/ home office space to a degree, keep the wild bird feeders filled. And have just cocooned .
I’ve not made any written goals or expectations for the new year. I choose not to listen to the news too often and sick if hearing about Covid… Also I agree that the channels never share positive stories along with all the negative and chaotic happening across the world. I take 5-10 minutes to just read news highlight on line just to keep current on events, self preservation of my psyche, if you will..
Thank you for all you share, most uplifting and let’s me know I am not alone in my feelings and thoughts. I love you channel, love you too. Look so forward to seeing you and James.
Much love and hugs from Northern California. Cold but sunny blue skies today. 🙏🤗🐶❤️
Every day is New Year's Day... every yesterday is the ending of something, and every today begins something new.
I had a good Januray, but February has been blue for me. Thank you for the suggestion & demonstration of gratefulnessl journaling. I'm grateful for your channel. 😊
Thank you Wendy for sharing ❤ 🙏. You speak such wise words. So many of us are going through the same feelings, reading the comments. I am finding my personal life and work situations very overwhelming at present. I'm trying to put all of these situations and feelings in to' Bite size' so I can deal with it all. One day at a time is my Mantra. As you say , we are all a working progress. I'm feeling inspired to start Art journaling again after watching your latest videos and tap into those benefits. Also getting out into Nature. I love trees too. Sending soft hugs to you and the Unexpected family. Here's to a healthy happy, lights bright 2022.🌟🙏💫💗🌈
One way to deal with world stress is deep breathing. When we begin to feel anxious or overwhelmed, the lymbic (fight or flight) part of our brain overrides the frontal brain where reasoning resides. 3 slow deep breaths in, hold a few seconds, then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Practice several times a day. Life is hard for humans right now. We must be kind to ourselves and you, Wendy, are the Ambassador of Kindness. Blessings to all! ❤️❤️❤️
oh yes belly/baby breathing is so wonderful!! Helps with the Vagus nervous system xx
I didn't sleep well last night and not feeling very motivated today as I'm feeling overwhelmed with housework and gardening work that needs to be done. I live in subtropical Australia and the heat and humidity zaps your energy and means you can only work outside for a few hours a day, opposite to you but has same feelings. I'm doing a 30 day yoga challenge and find that helps, along with walking in nature and watching Wendy of course.
Wendy, I feel the same. I want to get creative and just can't. Hugs to you.💙💙
Yes, it's good to rest if we don't feel like it, we should give our body relaxation. A flower doesn't bloom the whole year-round. So we don't have to either.
I'm definitely struggling this month. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art and spirit on RUclips, I really appreciate your honest and positivity. ❤️
I love you being you. I can see I wish part of you could be reflected in part of me. I see you connected to my wise creative self, full of fairy glamour, glitter and sparkle. I notice the light is growing brighter each day and that encourages me to expand and be more Insomnia is definitely a sign that some thing is out of balance Usually I need more self-care, meditation,massage, hugs energy treatments I send you one from my heart dear Wendy.
I LOVE THIS VIDEO! I loved the story telling at the beginning, you are so good at it, you could do audio books!
I have actually been doing alot of journaling when I feel it, no judgement to whatever I create. just enjoying the journey and grateful for having a room in my house for my studio so I can leave my mess!
oooh lovely, I look forward to a home studio again one day... happy journaling and happy weekend xx
Thanks for sharing. Your videos always mean so much to me. Personally January always comes as a huge relief to me. I work in emergency veterinary medicine and never get a proper holiday season, so I'm always just relieved to get it over with and move on. December tends to be pretty depressing to me.
Thank you for taking me with you!! Love your motivation! Back at it again🌹Thank you!💝
Omg thank you for sharing this, I’m having so much trouble trying to reset, I can’t journal at present, my sleep is bad and also have the January blues. I do think it’s not uncommon. However we will get through this and must look forward to all the things we can get back to doing with a happy frame of mind. Please believe me you will get all of your joy and motivation back soon.
Sending you much love and bright blessings 🥰
Gratitude yes always a way that is very cool is to say I am Graduate and why and really feel into it and for everything even Challenges and asking the right questions when we have challenges . Connecting with the universe and the love is so important for all of us today in our hearts . Thanks for sharing dear with us all . Much love to you I hope your sleep gets better for you soon .
Hi Wendy, thank you for this week's video. My place of work is very cold too, so I can sympathise! I like the idea of starting at imbolc or Chinese New year, it feels like a natural beginning. For a long time I never got the whole self care theory, but I've come to realise how vital it is in so many ways, and that's partly because of you, so thank you. 😊 xx
Thank you for this lovely video. The January blues might have to do with the circumstance that we move within a calendar that's not in alignment with our natural cycles. Spring Equinox (Ostara) is the actual new year, when seeds sprout and flowers blossom. January/febuary is the best time to rest and close out the old year. That's why many people feel so bad, because of not listening to ones natural body clock and giving into the pressure of our programming, that says : it's a 'new year' be productive. When it's just not time yet 💖 or let's say we are productive, just in a very different way.
The “no plan plan”. It’s so important to remember that it is OK to have times like that to reflect and relax! Thank you for the insight!🌺
At 22:59 - that's me! That's funny what you said Wendy, as I live down the road in Pilton, so I literally could come and help you with your studio! Give me a shout if you'd like a hand - I have a feeling it would be a lot easier for me to tidy someone else's creative mess rather than my own!
I hope you're taking your own advice and easing the pressure off yourself and allowing yourself some self care time. I always struggle with the guilt of feeling like I should be getting on with something more productive, but I'm getting there! Thank you for sharing. :)
Hi Wendy, I found your vlogs a few days ago and can't stop watching them. Thank you so much, love your energy and your creativity. I feel I can have a go myself, having put it all away and told myself I can't. Thank you so much, look forward to many more episodes from you. xx
Hi Wendy. I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. I have just run with a word to act as a focus / filter for decisions and actions throughout the year. My word for this year is ' Simplify' and I am already finding it to be a good travel companion. Last year my word was 'gently' as in go gently and be gentle, and treat yourself gently. The year before was ' enough' as in you are enough, you do enough, you are good enough. I like the idea of your 'reset' focus. I might bank that word for another year.
Yup, January is a sod. Or the feeling that we ought to be revived and productive is. You're right, nature is still in slumber, and it knows what it's doing. It's not such a bad thing if we follow it's lead :)
Being depressed and fighting against it is rather difficult. I think that when we had a great year full of good ideas and work and then we feel we have to do more than last year it can be a little self-defeating. So how about just keep doing what you love, things that make you happy and not worry about being better, more successful, more popular, selling more.....those thoughts are always a bit daunting and full of anxiety potholes. Remember your telling about the book Big Magic....I have read that on your recommendation and loved it. My creative work comes and goes, easy and hard but I don't worry as much as I used to, you are a creative person, you were made to be creative. Your jewelry, your journals, paintings, thoughts and insights are great. I think you have a lot of pressure to do beautiful art and make great inspiring videos, you do those things. It is your art, and you are doing great. You can be tired, you can walk in the woods, you can rest, and not apologize but I am glad that you know what makes you happy. Knowing how to heal ourselves, to let ourselves be who we are is a great knowledge.
I love hearing your voice and the honesty with which you speak! I do agree we need the “time out” to make “time in” more productive and creative! I love walking meditation and also I am very fond of your tree in your journal where you placed intentions! We never need to overwhelm ourself! You are an inspiration to me! Yay Wendy!
Just discovered this channel... and I'm so grateful... thank you for this beautiful honest content.. someone I can finally relate too. Thank you
My goal in the last couple years is to stop hating the cold and snow of winter. I used to love winter. Then I found myself hating the heat of summer!! I can't live hating any of my days. During these extreme days I've decided I need to slow down. Trying to get everything done at the speed I normally do it causes immense frustration when it's cold, snowy, hellishly hot. I work outside all year so I can only cocoon on my own time.
Hey, January is always a struggle for me. I am so tired. I work with neurodivergent teenagers in a mainstream school, which is a challenge and a joy. I am inspired by you to make a gratitude journal from an altered book and watching you and working in it I hope will calm and ground me over the coming months. Thank you. x
Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and day with us!
and thank you for watching LInda xxxxxx
I think if you have any kind of empathic bone in your body, and particularly for those who are quite sensitive to Earth AND the collective energies; we are feeling and processing a lot of the collective fear and insecurity while also absorbing Earth's seasonal energies which as you mention, in winter, is meant for us to go inward, rest and be prepared for re-birth in the Spring. I too have been dealing with frustrating insomnia, balancing the needs of my loved ones & neighbors while also responding to new personalities, assignments and what often feels like unrealistic expectations and deadlines as my 2nd quarter of college just resumed on the 4th.
I'm keeping my light strong inside by jumping on my trampoline, learning how to grow sprouts in my kitchen, living food, doing writing, art, self massage with therapy spikey balls, aerial yoga, and relaxing hot baths with Epsom salts. The world has gone crazy so it's time for me to listen to my heart even deeper. I really love your channel and I am grateful for the love,and wisdom you bring to us at this crazy time...blessings and much love to you and everyone here💜
this sounds fab, when can i come over!!! xxx many blessings to you too xxxxxxxx
@@theunexpectedgypsy or even a foot bath with some oils , baking soda and Epsom salts x
I decided when I retired 8 years ago to give up the man made introjects of time in favour of following the moon and the seasons. I think you are spot on choosing your new year to be the Chinese New Year. I look at renewing and taking stock in the Maori New Year when Matariki, the rising of the Pleiades in our Southern hemisphere skies. This is in Autumn here so I am preparing for winter at this time. I make sure I have enough firewood, changing the bed covers to warm and cozy and sorting out my winter clothes. I also make sure to get in any art and craft materials I might need and searching out good reading materials for the winter days.
I dont do goals or resolutions. They have never worked for me as I have not been someone who looks to the future. I also gave up the practice trying to make myself a better person through personal development plans dealing with flaws etc. I reckon at 73 I have done my dash with all that carry on and I focus on being happy, fulfilled and relaxed day by day, following my natural rhythms.
Your new journal is a great success! I loved the tree art especially.
Your walks in the woods always interest me especially because our bush walks are so different. Magical but not the same.
Lots of love, arohanui ehoa from Aotearoa
💋❤🌹
Your approach sounds totally fabulous Jan! Wishing you many, many joyful days. You’ve inspired me today 💐
@@elizabeth4090 I am glad you feel inspired. Many blessings
😊🙏
Thank you for the encouraging words Wendy. I really needed this today. It’s been quite a difficult time the past several weeks or so. I took two serious falls 10 days apart that resulted in injuries, then contracted the virus in spite of being fully vaxed. I’m just now starting to make my way back after 11 days of real nastiness from the virus. Gratitude has been my saving grace through it all these past couple of months. Every day even though the darkest of it all I’ve found something to be grateful for. I can now use my hand again for a bit at a time and I’m doing what I can to gather my materials for constructing a soul journal. I’ve been planning it in my head as I’ve been healing and I want you to know that your videos have been so helpful to me. It has been very therapeutic watching you create and listening to your words of encouragement. Having to put my creativity on hold for so many weeks has taken a heavy toll on me, however I can now see the sparkle of light for better days ahead. Thank you for being you. Sending you many blessings and much gratitude. ✨🙌🏼✨💖✨🙌🏼✨💫
The thing that always reminds me to try not to let wasted days go by is that fact that if we're lucky we get about 27,000 days of life!...only 4,000 weekends! ..ugh! When we think of it that way it doesnt seem like that much!..the time is NoW for happiness and contentment ✨🌅✨
I do regular gratitude journaling. I felt - as you suggested - like I was on repeat of the same things. Then I changes the journaling to start off every day with the following prompt “the best part of today was …” . This seems to keep me grounded and aware of my daily reality of abundance and grace even if something not great happens. I have a blanket and a cup of tea and a kettle to boil water and a cup and a place to sit … not everyone has those things even. 💕💕💕
My January has been crappy-my boss had to move out of state to care of his parents and see his grandpa during his last days on this earth….but anyway since he moved away we’ve been short handed and it’s been stressful at work so my schedule at home and at work have been out of wack--so January never existed to me. I hope February will be better. 😊 ☮️
Great messages in this video Wendy, as always, you are a wonderful blessing 🌺 you give me permission to art journal and just spend time creating, with no agenda or expectations 💖 thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you for this beautiful video, Wendy! I've been watching your videos for a year now and so many beautiful things happened as a result of that! I just wanted to share my gratitude for discovering your channel on here. Through it I started art-journaling myself and redicovered my own joy and creativity! Even though you may not be there yet, as you so rightly put it, you are still shining oh so bright! Thank you and happy hibernating from currently sunny London! 🙏🏼😍♥
Lovely. Just lovely. I watched it twice. Thank you.
Thank You so much. Joy and gratitude, is my news intentions also.
Hello from Québec, Canada! 🙂✨💫
Me Too, on all of it.
Love from the US.❤🍀🤗
Love this video, I thought I was the only unmotivated insomniac ! Xx
Everything you said I'm feeling exactly the same way and I feel like I'm just letting days go on and on and on. But I just can't get motivated to really do anything. I'm not sure what it is. Enjoyed your video very much I find your voice extremely soothing.
Hello Wendy,
I so loved watching this video. It's been a while since I was on your channel. The later part of 2021 was all-consuming with work/life stuff and sadly the health of my puppy.🐾 The absolute joy in my life (my 12yo Beagle🐕) that kept me sane through the lonely days of lockdowns and adjusting to living on my own after my son moved out in early 2020 as well as relocating to a new house later that year and then getting comfy in the new one over the past 12 months (still a work in progress, not a fan of my noisy neighbors).😕
Well, my fur baby broke my heart💔 on 26 Dec 2021 as she took her last breath and I am now navigating 2022 feeling more alone than ever before. Her absence has left a massive hole after being in my life for 12 years.
I totally understand where you are coming from with all the New Year Guff. I am so not inspired because I am still grieving and crying most days.
I did love however the idea of doing the 10 Best Gratitudes for 2021. Even though it was a tough year for me (and I thought 2020 was tough), I am sure I can fill a list of 10 best things to be grateful for.
I also loved your thinking about the 2022 intentions. Great way to lean into the NY without the over-top hype that most people go with and feels like pressure.
I am a prolific journaler (my daily sanity), and while I don't do art in the same way you do, I add color to my journal pages all the time. Sometimes I draw flowers sometimes I just add stickers of inspiration, color, and beauty. I love it!!
Unlike you, I am in the Southern Hemisphere, so we are in the middle of our summer and, to be honest, I cannot wait for the cooler weather. I love the rain and the cooler days more so than the heat and sweaty days.
I also totally loved the "Self Love" tree you showed at the end. Great inspiration. Thank you for your beautiful honesty with where you are at and I hope you don't mind my share above.
It's been lovely to reconnect with you through this channel.🙏 Blessings to you and your loved one James. With gratitude, Silvia🌺
I’m also feeling this. This January especially it seems so odd. I’m uninspired and not sleeping well at all. I find the moods are scattered and I found myself feeling guilty for not moving forward. I think this reminded me to take this as a gift and just flow with the energy of the time and not be so hard on myself. We all need a rest from time to time. Thanks for the video.
LOVE love LOVE you both ... elegant ... tender .... honest .... YAY !!!