It seems like it was just yesterday when I was writing my Happy New Year 2013 post. It has been a great year of growth for me professionally and personally.
Professionally, this year has been one of the best yet. I had the opportunity to work on so many awesome illustration projects – from web to print and even an animated commercial. To all of the new and repeat clients and Art Directors that I have worked with this year: thank you all so much for the opportunities that you have given me. As you probably know, illustration is not an easy career path and I know that I am pretty much a crazy person for deciding that is how I am going to make a living. But I am truly grateful every day that it is possible for me to do what I am good and and what I love.
Personally, I have gotten a lot better at the whole living thing. I know that probably sounds funny but it’s true. As a person hard wired to think in black and white in addition to being a chronic worrier, I am doing GREAT! It takes practice but I am finally learning to slow down, find the gray areas and be in the moment instead of worrying about the next thing right away. In today’s avoidance culture of smart phones, video games, TV and social media, truly being present in your own life actually takes a lot more practice than you think. You have got to make a conscious effort to find balance. In my case it’s more about realizing what is and isn’t important.
Worrying about things that you can’t control will only make you more worried and negative. I’m not saying that you should bury your head in the sand (or hours of bad television) when troubles arise, but to just acknowledge whatever it is and let it motivate you to move on. Concentrate on the things that you DO have control over. Focus on the good people and things that are around you. The less you feed the negative, the smaller it will become. Feed what’s positive instead and that good energy will grow and multiply. I’m sure that to some this sounds like total hippie-dippy, new-agey baloney but I have a sneaking suspicion that many of you reading might actually find it true as well. That being said, I am grateful for all of the good people and good stuff going on around me. It is nice to be able to slow down and appreciate it. And that is that.
I wish you all Health, Happiness and Success in 2014.
Happy New Year!
Michele