New Year? It is what you make it
We’ve all heard this saying, “It is what you make it,” but when you think about it – it’s probably the most underrated ‘cliché’ there is. It’s a statement that puts the creative power fully into your own hands. In today’s world, where so much feels out of control – if it really IS what we MAKE it… then what are we waiting for?! Let’s begin!
“It is what you make it.” – Words of advice from my brother-in-law when we moved to Fort McMurray back in 2010. At the time, we were settling into a new community that I knew nothing about, except for the assumption that I was probably going to be a fish out of water. At first, I thought I may need to join a beer league softball team or do something far outside of my wheelhouse to fit in. Little did I know, I would instead dig deep into my passions and strengths by launching a women’s magazine. Long story short, I made it my own in the best way possible. I now look back at the five years we lived there as ‘glory days’, to be honest. And it all began with that unexpectedly sage advice. It is what you make it… a mantra that I go back to for so many aspects of my life! And wouldn’t ya know it – ring ring! Today, they ring true once again!
By the way… Happy New Year!
We are kicking off 2022 in what feels to me like a bit of a ‘soft launch’. This week in BC where I live, due to the pandemic, schools have been kept closed for an extra week, which means that instead of having this week to myself – which I envisioned would be a chance for me to get re-energized into creative mode for the year ahead – the kids are home with me. You know the week between Christmas and New Year when you don’t know what day it is? Well this just feels like we’re doubling down on that vibe!
Don’t get me wrong, I am one of the lucky ones. If a change in plans to cramp my style is all that I have to worry about today amongst the flurry of obstacles this pandemic has brought to so many – I am very fortunate. Whatever your situation may be, maintaining your mental health, well-being and perspective is crucial.
‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”
Mary Engelbreit
There may be things that we wish we could change as we enter 2022, but there are some things that we can control that will make all of the difference to our experience.
We can control our priorities. We can control our thoughts. We can control our intentions. We can control our actions. We can control our reactions.
When you think about it, we can control the building blocks that inform who we are - and more importantly, how we feel. In the end, how we feel really is what is paramount. This year, I’m making feeling-based decisions for myself and my family. 2021 was a year of diverse feelings for me (to put it lightly). I experienced some of my lowest lows, but also some of the happiest times of my life. It taught me about navigating my feelings and it all seems to come back to the idea that life is what we make it - at any given time, amongst any given obstacles.
I’ve decided to embrace a slow beginning to this new year. To me this looks like putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward and allowing myself grace as I begin to get creative again.
I want to lean in to FUN! Let myself get out of ‘my own head’ and just enjoy moments. I want to be silly, I want to show love to myself and those around me.
A slow start has no baring on the year as a whole… in fact, this year has so much potential to be great in many ways. After all, it will be what you make it… and this girl loves to get creative!
