There’s something uniquely special about the brink of a new year. Perhaps even more so, a new decade.
Although I have always been anxious about the passing of time, the melancholy of endings and the uncertainty of new beginnings, I am somehow filled with renewed energy, optimism and courage when the page is turned to January and when 12 months lie ahead, unwritten.
When we look back on a year, our brains seem to try to categorize it as “a good year” or “a tough one”. The truth is, it’s always both.
When I look back on 2019, it stands out as a year filled with tiny moments, incredible triumphs and interesting discoveries.
Although I have always been anxious about the passing of time, the melancholy of endings and the uncertainty of new beginnings, I am somehow filled with renewed energy, optimism and courage when the page is turned to January and when 12 months lie ahead, unwritten.
When we look back on a year, our brains seem to try to categorize it as “a good year” or “a tough one”. The truth is, it’s always both.
When I look back on 2019, it stands out as a year filled with tiny moments, incredible triumphs and interesting discoveries.
Photo credit: Manuela Gomez Photography
2019 was the year I vowed to be more present and mindful, and to really prioritize my wellness. I infused my morning routine with calm and intent. I put my heart into everything I did, otherwise I didn’t accept to do it.
I was attentive to how people, situations and decisions made me feel; if I didn’t feel well, I backed away or changed my terms.
I took my foot off the guilt pedal, having grown tired of its toxic effect on my mood and mindset. I embodied my philosophies rather than explaining or defending them.
I made sure to reserve my apologies for serious rather than trivial things, and not to let anyone make me lose sight of my strengths, my uniqueness and my power.
It was the year where I finally started to accept the unexpected twists in my path and to embrace them, for everything these twists have brought me and every (unnecessary) thing they have taken away.
I took my foot off the guilt pedal, having grown tired of its toxic effect on my mood and mindset. I embodied my philosophies rather than explaining or defending them.
I made sure to reserve my apologies for serious rather than trivial things, and not to let anyone make me lose sight of my strengths, my uniqueness and my power.
It was the year where I finally started to accept the unexpected twists in my path and to embrace them, for everything these twists have brought me and every (unnecessary) thing they have taken away.
It was a year of writing, creating, and finally thriving. I poured my energy into passions and projects that were aligned with my goals and my dreams.
I shared a new company with the world, and, within a month of its existence, I had clients lined up and full-time hours of work in the books. But what a blessing when work doesn’t feel like work – when you wake up in the morning genuinely eager to see what your brain will accomplish and how you’ll help someone with their needs.
It was the year I got better at visualizing the life I wanted to have and taking concrete steps to create that life. It was the year I got better at verbalizing what it is that I do for a living and no longer feeling conflicted that I don’t fit in a neat little box.
It was the year I got better at visualizing the life I wanted to have and taking concrete steps to create that life. It was the year I got better at verbalizing what it is that I do for a living and no longer feeling conflicted that I don’t fit in a neat little box.
2019 was the year I explored Montreal like a visitor, booking tours and learning about sights that have been part of my life’s backdrop since I was little, but to which I’d always given very little thought.
I discovered tiny places with big feelings, and stretched my legs here in our own province, where we have so many wondrous gems to enjoy.
I motivated myself to wake up and witness several stunning sunrises, astonished at how negative emotions like fear and inadequacy melt away in the face of a rising sun, leaving room only for gratitude, humility and awe.
2019 was the year where I lived in tune with the seasons – in acceptance of those outside my window and inside my own life. I spent almost every spring and summer day outside, in the garden or by the water, and found peace in nature’s gifts. I tried, invented and reinvented tons of new recipes, which is how I know that I’m feeling peaceful and creative.
I worked extremely hard with the Collectif Créatif to be a leader in our artistic and entrepreneurial community here in Montreal, and to help create an inclusive, diverse and inspiring series of markets with my amazing colleagues.
Photo credit: Manuela Gomez Photography
Veni Etiam flourished online and offline, launched new collections and participated in over 20 pop-up markets and exhibitions again this year. Each activity allows me to meet wonderful people and learn valuable lessons about why I do what I do and what my creations have to offer.
Photo credit: Manuela Gomez Photography
It was the year Apartment Therapy came into my home to photograph and feature it, making me feel excited to share my colorful collection and daily lifestyle with friends and strangers around the world.
Photo credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion for Apartment Therapy
It was the year I finally traveled to the south of France after daydreaming about what the Côte d’Azur would look, sound and feel like. I brought you a beautiful new collection that many of you have said is your favorite so far, full of color and feeling.
Of course, 2019 also had many heartaches among its pages. I lost my grandmother, one of my pillars of strength and faith. Although I hear her wise voice in my ears daily and am visited by her in my dreams at night, I feel the void she left and would do anything to feel her hands around mine again.
It was still a year marked by tremendous physical pain due to endometriosis and complications from scar tissue built up from all my previous surgeries, sometimes making it hard to sleep, eat, move or breathe for days in a row. It was still a year where my words about my body were bitterly unkind, where I vowed to stop bullying it and to start genuinely trusting it, but never managed to stay true to that vow.
It was the year where I poured my soul into a heartfelt piece of writing that I submitted to a national competition but did not even get close to winning. 2019 also brought its share of extremely stressful, unpredictable situations with home repairs and bureaucratic hurdles, where my legal brain had to be sharp, which can be utterly exhausting.
It was still a year marked by tremendous physical pain due to endometriosis and complications from scar tissue built up from all my previous surgeries, sometimes making it hard to sleep, eat, move or breathe for days in a row. It was still a year where my words about my body were bitterly unkind, where I vowed to stop bullying it and to start genuinely trusting it, but never managed to stay true to that vow.
It was the year where I poured my soul into a heartfelt piece of writing that I submitted to a national competition but did not even get close to winning. 2019 also brought its share of extremely stressful, unpredictable situations with home repairs and bureaucratic hurdles, where my legal brain had to be sharp, which can be utterly exhausting.
But, well, there is never a year with only perfect pictures, smooth travels, sunshine and low tides. There are tons of messy days where nothing makes sense and everything feels daunting, where we question our purpose, our faith, everyone’s motives, and our biggest dreams.
And then comes a sunrise, on a new morning of a new year and decade, and we have this beautiful opportunity to create 2020.
As you may know, instead of choosing a new year's resolution, I always choose 3 words to guide my intentions, goals and decisions every day of the year.
For 2020, my 3 words are:
quietude,
fulfillment
and
freedom.
In this next post, I explain why I settled on these words and what they mean to me. See you there!
From my heart to yours,
Kristina
As you may know, instead of choosing a new year's resolution, I always choose 3 words to guide my intentions, goals and decisions every day of the year.
For 2020, my 3 words are:
quietude,
fulfillment
and
freedom.
In this next post, I explain why I settled on these words and what they mean to me. See you there!
From my heart to yours,
Kristina
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