Some days you might feel lost, off, or uncertain about the world—it can feel heavy. When that happens, it’s important for me to pause and reflect on the things that fill my heart with joy, bring peace to my mind, and act as beacons for my soul to steady and ground me. This is a reminder to embrace the little joys in life, the rituals, and the spaces that nurture your spirit.
As we come to the end of the year I always find myself reflecting and clearing paths for the new year and this next year in particular has me taking great pause.
Spending time in my sacred spaces clearing them of any toxic energy feels especially necessary. Grounding myself—steadying my heart and clearing my mind going into the new year. No resolutions, just letting go, going clear and staying steady with as much peace in my heart as I can muster up.
The Little Joys That Lift Us Up
I like gardening and being in nature. There’s something grounding about tending to the earth, pulling weeds, and nurturing growth. It’s like medicine for your brain, symbolically clearing out blockages while creating beauty.
I also love my self-care rituals. Skincare routines—putting creams on my face, using rollers—feel like acts of kindness toward myself. My morning skincare ritual is creating space to just be in the moment breath and care for myself. Hold on to those types of recharging moments.
Also I enjoy things that smell good, whether it’s from my skin ritual or a lemony clean counter, fresh laundry, or the scent of a shower. These are intoxicating calming scents that I think of as energetic cleansing rituals that clear away toxic, stale energy. When I finish, I feel fresh, renewed, and ready to face the day.
Creating and Sharing Art
I like making art and sharing it. It’s part of a process—a triangle of creation, sharing, and, sometimes, selling. But the most important part is to keep making art, to find joy, solace, and peace in the act of creation.
Art connects me to others, whether through social media, my blog, or occasional art shows and fairs. Sharing art is an extension of my creative journey, but at its core, it’s about what art does for my heart. No matter how we battle algorithms fighting us to monetize and make money for them make art for you first and don’t get to entangled in algorithmic nonsense.
Caring for Animals and Connecting Across Species
I love caring for animals. My cats inside my home and the ones I feed and shelter outside bring unique magic to my life. There’s something so special about connecting with another species. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning—a drive to care, nurture, and find joy in those connections.
Clearing Clutter and Creating Sacred Spaces
I thrive in spaces that are clean, curated, and clear of clutter but full of life. This doesn’t mean minimalist—it means intentional. Whether it’s organizing my closet or clearing paperwork, these acts of tidying are symbolic. They open paths, remove blockages, and create room for peace and growth.
A clean beautiful curated house reflects a clear heart for me. My home is my heart—a sacred place that inspires comfort, creativity, and healing. When my house is in order, I feel I can navigate life with more ease and focus.
Finding Comfort and Stability
I like a full tank of gas. It’s symbolic of stability and preparedness—not just for my car but for my life. I also value cushions—financial nest eggs in multiple places that give me peace of mind during challenging times. These practical comforts provide a sense of autonomy and control. I feel as I navigate the times ahead these will be more important than ever.
The Magic of Nature and Collecting Rocks
Nature fills me with calm. A walk in the woods, a stroll by a lake, or simply sitting in my backyard is healing. I like creating beauty in my garden, pulling weeds as a form of clearing my mind and nurturing growth.
I also have a deep love for rocks and crystals. Finding them on hikes and travels. I am new to tumbling yet excited for the process of polishing them, and elevating their beauty feels like a kind of alchemy. It’s a creative hobby that doesn’t have to lead to anything—it’s just about the joy of discovery and transformation.
Here are actionable steps you dear reader might consider in clearing your own paths:
Self-Care and Renewal
Start a Daily Self-Care Ritual: Dedicate 10-15 minutes to an hour each morning or evening to a skincare routine, journaling, or meditation to reconnect with yourself.
Refresh Your Environment: Use your favorite scents (like lemon or lavender) to clean surfaces and create a calming atmosphere. Part of an energetic clearing ritual that can refresh your senses. Sweep 🧹 dirt symbolically removing toxic energy from your home, clearing paths.
Organizing and Clearing Clutter
Declutter One Space a Week: Tackle small areas like a drawer, desk, or closet to remove items that no longer serve you. Donate, recycle, or sell these items.
Create a Sacred Space: Set up a dedicated spot in your home for reflection, meditation, and creativity—keep it clean and intentional.
Creative Expression
Make Art for Yourself: Set aside an hour to create something just for you, without worrying about sharing or selling it. Exploration leads to discovery!
Share Your Creations: Post one piece of art on social media or your blog, focusing on the joy of sharing rather than metrics.
Connection with Nature
Spend Time in Nature: Take a walk, sit in a park, or tend your garden. If you don’t have a garden, consider planting a few small pots of herbs or flowers.
Pull Weeds as a Meditative Practice: Use the act of weeding as a way to symbolically clear your mind and reflect on what’s holding you back.
Financial Stability Nest Eggs 🥚
Set a Financial Goal: Save a small amount each week to build your nest egg, even if it’s just $5 or $10. You will be surprised how quickly it grows. Consider recycling your unused items selling them on eBay is a great way to get a nest egg started.
Keep Your Gas Tank Full: Make a habit of refilling your car’s gas when it’s at half, as a small way to reduce anxiety about running out. Anything to reduce anxiety is a win!
Cultivating Joy
Find a Hobby That Feels Good: Try something new, like rock tumbling, jewelry-making, or crafting, just for fun.
Celebrate Small Wins: Take a moment each day to acknowledge something that made you happy. It could be as simple as a really good meal that you made or ate, or the moment you spent with your cat who came and sat in your lap.
Reflection and Encouragement
Write Yourself a Letter: When you’re feeling good, write a letter of encouragement to read or better yet record a peptalk voice memo that you can listen to on harder days. I can not tell you how powerful and helpful this act is! Try it!
As over played as it sounds Keep a Gratitude List: Write down things you’re grateful for to remind yourself of the joys in your life. These lists really work and create a sense of peace and fullness in your heart and mind. You can keep this list in a book or an art journal that you can access and read when you’re not feeling so good and it can give you a real boost as sometimes life gets difficult and we can get tunnel vision and not remember all the good things that we have. This list can act as a reminder and provide you some comfort.
A Note to Remember
Life is short. There’s no time to hold onto things that don’t serve you. Clear your paths, organize your spaces, and hold onto the things that bring you joy. Your home is your sacred space, it is a sacred protective shell where your creativity, healing, and dreams are born.
When life feels dark, remember: you have the power to pull yourself up and grow through the dirt. You’ve done it before, and you can do it again. You are strong, you are magic, and you can get through anything.
Take a moment to nurture yourself and the spaces around you. Let this be a reminder to embrace the things you love and hold onto the peace and calm they bring.
Written with love, from me to you!
xo Angie
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