A Hopeful New Year

Starting with a post written from the heart

I’ve struggled with this post. It’s gone through multiple drafts but it shouldn’t have been a difficult one to write, I have a template for my creative year in reviews and plans for the year ahead, they take a similar format:

What went well

What didn’t

What I want to carry with me from the year gone

And what I want to leave behind

What my intentions are for the New Year

I usually have a guiding word for the year, a quote or two, sometimes even a mantra. But whatever I wrote this time round, it just didn't feel.. ‘authentic’. 

In the drafts I wrote truthfully about what went well for me in 2023, the biggie being this space, The Creative Flock, and I’m thankful everyday that you are here, reading and engaging with what I share. It’s been a long time in the making and took all my courage to put it out into the world.

I wrote about how I’ve worked to overcome my fear of failure which has been a persistent barrier in my creative and professional development. I had an utter dread of making mistakes, and this fear held me back from taking on new challenges in case it all went wrong. 

I talked about how much I enjoyed writing fiction and that I'll do more of this in 2024, and that I’ll focus on my colour sketchbook and nature journal as well as building my portfolio.  

All this is true, but no matter how many times I rewrote the words and moved the paragraphs around, the post just wouldn’t come together. 

After many frustrating sessions in front of my computer, I came to realise it wasn’t what I was writing about that was the issue, it’s what I wasn’t writing about. 

I wasn’t talking about my huge concerns for the world, going into another year where issues like raging conflicts, genocide, never ending social injustices, the rise of far right in politics and the epidemic that is the climate crisis are all everyday news. I know these aren't new issues, but it seems like the sheer scale and velocity of disasters and global crises is going off the chart.

I wasn’t writing about how these concerns fill me with grief and rage and fear. How all this was affecting my concentration with work and being fully present with friends and family. How often these concerns keep me up late, attention fixed on my phone screen whilst I consume videos, articles and news feeds to keep myself informed and figure out what I can do as an individual to help. 

I wasn’t writing about all this because, to my shame, I felt I should keep these feelings to myself and keep this space a bit lighter when the world feels so heavy. 

But it doesn't feel right to share hollow words, I respect you too much for that.

So, although I have lots of creative plans for this year, I don’t feel up to shouting about it with party-popping, ‘New Year’ vigour right now. Instead, I’ll reveal my plans gradually.

One thing I can say for sure is that i’ll do more to use my voice, privilege and creativity to raise awareness on issues and causes I care about.

If any of this resonates with you, please feel free to comment below.

I remain hopeful that the scales of 2024 will tip towards peace, justice and kindness in the world. 

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without knowing the words - and never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson.

Contrary to how it might seem, I do actually like the energy New Year brings, I usually find it invigorating and provides a good reset opportunity. I also enjoy discovering what other people have planned for the year. Here's some inspiring New Year posts from some of my favourite people on Substack:

Raj Kaur, Designers Who Draw - Hello 2024, What’s Out, What's In?

Beth Spencer, Introvert Drawing Club - Dusting Off the Old 2023 Planner

Jane Porter, Story Street - In Bed with Bette Davis, a Box Full of Ideas and a Day of Play

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For those of you who are going full-steam ahead with their 2024 goals, here are some Substack resources that will help galvanise you:

Sara Tasker, Entre Nous - Free Session - Year Compass for 2023/2024

Claire Venus, Sparkle With Substack - The Business of Your Substack in 2024

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And for those who are approaching the New Year in a more gentle way:

Katherine May, The Clearing - New Year Journalling Prompt

Ulrike Pehlgrimm, Liminal Spaces - In The Depths of Midwinter

Lia Leendertz, Lia’s Living Almanac - Week 1/2024

However you approach your New Year, I hope these first few days have treated you well. I’ll be back on Monday to let you know the theme for the rest of January, as well as the lowdown on the content i’ll be sharing and the date for our drawing session. I’m so excited to be creating alongside you this year 💕

Before I sign off for the weekend, I want to let you know about a fun drawing and story creation session I’m co-hosting on 15th January with Beth Spencer of the Introvert Drawing Club to help chase away any January blues. This is a bonus live session, available to all subscribers. The replay will be available to paid subscribers only.

Monday January 15th, 12pm CST/6pm GMT, sign up for Draw Ducks with Emma & Beth!

🦆🦆🦆