"And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been."
Rainer Maria Rilke.
I hope you're finding some ways to stay cozy this winter, wherever you are.
What's ahead for you for the new year? Hard to say. I know...unsettling. I love this cartoon that one of my writing class participants posted this week. The dialog went like this:
Creature One: "Aren't you terrified of what 2022 could be like? Everything is so messed up..."
Creature Two: "I think it will bring flowers."
Creature One: "Yes? Why?"
Creature Two: "Because I'm planting flowers."
I love that because it sums up the moment so well.
It's up to us to make good things happen. And we can always grow where we are planted. This time of year can be a powerful time to pause, gather your ideas, and hone your skills. It can be a time for planning and dreaming and finding the stories that sustain us.
This is your brain on Story
Tapping into your creative side can be just the anchor you need to pull you through right now. Finding your stories is something that is always within reach, no matter where you are.
When you write out your stories and find the specific words to describe your experiences, it actually feels good to your brain. It wakes up a part of us that has gone to sleep through our reliance on just images to tell stories, or not telling stories at all while separated during the pandemic. It's caused a part of us to atrophy that you can awaken again.
Try This: Be Impressed
Use your power of observation and language to wake up your brain. Instead of sharing a photograph on social media or just telling someone something you saw, really try and describe it with every nuance you can.
In our writing groups we inspire each other with how much we stretch to nail down just the right combination of words to communicate something we saw, felt or experienced. We call the results "impressions."
1. Walk to be impressed: Go for a walk with the intention that something you see will capture your curiosity, awaken your senses or somehow impress you.
2. Describe what you noticed: Use all the colors, textures and other sensory details you can.
3. Share it: This is the fun part. When you have someone eager to hear your story, it inspires you to really reach for the perfect words.
I'd love to hear what you're impressed by today! Describe it in writing. And consider joining our writing community if you feel called to do so.