I can’t believe that this is my FOURTH year writing one of these! And I also can’t believe that 2018 is coming to a close… what a freakin’ roller coaster it was. I started the year off strong - felt really confident for a couple months (wrote a 26 page outline for a book I started to write.. reconnected with some old friends), and then lost steam (again). I went on my first creative retreat (in Montana) and it was really expensive (lol). For the months following that, I questioned whether it was “worth it” and tried to digest all of the feedback I had received on my work. Going into it - I think I was already searching for “what was next” in my life / career. I felt like I had hit a wall again - really uncertain just about everything.. I took a leap of faith by applying to the retreat, and when I got accepted - I jumped into it hoping it would give me fresh insight and some direction… but I think I left feeling unsure what to make of it all (although it was a beautiful place to visit).
I spent the second third of this year in pretty much complete (self inflicted) isolation. May thru August, I didn’t hang out with a single person outside of my immediate family. The immediate family I DID see or spend time around - I felt completely withdrawn from. I dreaded being around people of any kind, and was shutting out even my closest friends. I was falling asleep on the couch watching TV shows I didn’t even really like, and generally speaking… lost my desire to get out of bed in the morning. Creatively, I felt really depleted - the desire and motivation just wasn’t there. I spent a lot of time walking miles and miles of beaches by myself (moody, I know 😂). It was a rough few months where I felt really far from being my best self, to say the least…
The final third of this year has been a surprisingly reinvigorating few months. I feel like I’ve found the basis for the thesis project that I wish I had 4.5-5 years ago - the basis for a LIFE’S work (which is a REALLY bold thing to say, I realize) - but I really do feel that way. I started collecting beach trash at the end of August (after walking miles of coastline in the summer… it became impossible to continue to ignore). This then led to organizing / cohosting my first group beach clean up and the launch of some new products for my Etsy shop (beach plastic holiday greeting cards)! I haven’t felt this excited, passionate, and deeply ROOTED about anything I’ve made in well… maybe ever. In 2019, I plan to continue to grow the greeting card line, organize more beach clean ups, and continue the important conversation about sustainability through my creative work. It’s gonna be a good year - I can feel it! But first, here’s a little recap of 2018:
Here are the posts I wrote this year for the blog:
Vegan Zucchini Noodle Ramen Recipe
My Hopes & Dreams for 2018 / 26!
Pizza Grease Stained Notes From Milton Glaser
15 Acts of Self Care That Work For Me
(Almost) Vegan Baked Panko Zucchini Fries & Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Dip Recipe
Chinatown NYC Food Tour Guide: Dim Sum, Dessert, and Marketplaces… Oh My!
Dessert Goals Spring Edition… And My First Ever VLOG!
Vegan One Pot Warm Quinoa Bowl Recipe
My Love / Hate Relationship With Instagram
Beach Plastic Holiday Greeting Cards
A Winter Love Letter - 6 Things To Look Forward To
Thank you for following along in 2018! I appreciate each and every one of you for your love and support throughout this strange but ultimately fulfilling year.
Sending my wishes to you all for a merry + bright 2019! 😘