Author: Elizabeth

Hello 2021

Happy New Year to you!

It has snowed during the night and it’s all white outdoors as I write this post. Just now, I looked through the window and I saw a few snow flakes falling down from the sky. I’m in the kitchen, the coffee is brewing, I’ve waffles on the toaster, the Christmas tree is still up with the lights on. I can say I’m having a pretty cozy Monday morning, perfect to be the first one of the year.

New year, new possibilities! As usual, lots of plans, decisions, resolutions…, but in the end, the turning of the clock is only a formality, we are still the same, and the world is moving at its own rate.

2021 started with a makeover on my blog. It was the first creative task I did on the 1st. I changed the theme and moved things around. I will focus on photography this year, so this new theme is more appropriate than the previous one, which was a kind of writer’s blog. I added a new profile photo to depict a personal style to my site.

I hope to keep up eating healthy food and journaling to maintain a strong body and a peaceful mind. As I get older my body and mind are getting more synchronized, so when one isn’t doing ok the other endures the consequences.

TRUTH is my word for the year. Sometimes I let my true-self go out of focus, so I can please others and be kind, other times I say yes when I wished to say no, it’s enough! I’ll try to be truthful to myself in the first place and accept the fact that it isn’t my duty to make others happy all the time.

I have been choosing a word for the year since 2014. It is a quick way to make me grounded and make me focus on what I need to work on.

I would love to know if you’ve chosen a word for the year, or if you have made some resolution.

Wishing you a lovely first week of the year!

E.

the week in between

hello my friends, i hope you had a jolly christmas. here, in my part of the world, we had a white christmas day with lots of snow. we are on lockdown again, so online ordering for groceries and last minute gifts, a cozy meal with the family, just perfect, the way i like it.

the week in between christmas and new year. it is such a special one. it’s like the world has stopped, ‘the holidays’ as people like to say:

  • we don’t have time to wake up or time to go to bed
  • we want to do many things and at the same time to do nothing
  • the christmas tree is still up, but the gifts are unwrapped.
  • we are stuffed with all the christmas food, but making plans for the new year’s eve feast
  • our mind goes back to the year that is ending, contentment and regrets all mixed up.
  • our thoughts go ahead for the year that is starting carrying plans and dreams.
  • the days are getting longer, the snow has melted but the air is pregnant and heavy, the winter isn’t done yet.

happy new year to you!

Lessons of 2020

2020 has indeed taught us many lessons. The vulnerability has been my major one. I’ve learned that I am vulnerable, I have limits and I need to respect them. I’m not stronger as I was in my 20s and 30s. My body and mind crave more attention. I need to set boundaries. This year I accepted that I’m an introvert and it’s OK to say NO and to prioritize my space, my moments of quiet.

My last post here was in October, I didn’t post anything in November. I had to evaluate my blogging path. I love all the connections and friends I’ve made during these 7 years of blogging. I’ve joined many challenges during the years and enjoyed them, but they were putting pressure on me. I was feeling obligated to post until in days that I had nothing to say. I don’t want this kind of pressure, it’s already enough everything that we go through with family, job… I wish this space to be free, a place that I can fly and create without boundaries, and not deadlines. So, from now on, no more challenges, only a few musings here and there.

Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I’ll be mad.

Rumi

I’d be happy to hear how 2020 has been treating you, any lessons?

October Kindness

autumn berries

Oh October, I’m already missing you! All the colours, freshness and coziness you have brought to our days.

Last day of October Squares, It was great to register a few moments of kindness during this month. Below is a gallery with all the photos. Check here if you wish to have a pick at my July Perspectives and compare summer and autumn photos. Thanks Becky for the lovely challenge.

October Squares – Kind

A view

Lunch time view from my office

The campus used to be full of students at this time of the year since is the middle of the term.

Today they would be wearing costumes and they would visit all the departments to get treats. The faculty would be dressed up too to give treats. I would wear my old witch hat, and a spider stick on my hand.

Halloween at the university is a tradition that we all look forward to. The students, most of them young adults, behave like kids. It’s lots of fun to watch them discussing their treats with their peers and commenting on which department has given the best ones. I love to see their costumes and the smile on their faces.

This year, with all the classes online, it’s difficult to spot a student on campus. I hope they find a way to enjoy themselves this Halloween.

October Squares – Kind

Inwards

The is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.

There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.

You feel it, don’t you?

Rumi

I took this photo at 7 am today. It was pitch-dark outdoors. I could feel the stillness in the air. I lit a few candles and journaled. This last week of October is special to me in same way. I’m not sure why, maybe the darkness and changes outdoors, the need to focus inwards … It’s OK! I don’t need to understand, I need to be present and to be kind to myself.

Have a great and Nurturing Thursday.

October Squares – Kind

Colours

in my studio

When the softness of the colours explains much more about my feelings than words and images. When I feel lost and I try to find the answers between lines and dots….

I spent the morning writing and thinking in my studio. The world is loud right now and I crave silence and solitude. I need to look inwards and listen to my soul. I’m an introvert and I always fought with myself about it, I tried to change my essence to please others. Acceptance is the key!

Wishing a lovely Sunday to you!

October Squares – Kind