After an amazing, extended break, I’m rearing to get back to my business and quilt making. My brain is brimming with creative ideas that haven’t quite made it to the planning stage—yet.

Speaking of new beginnings, Against Resolutions by Suleika Jaouad on Substack is a thoughtful and timely read. She suggests incorporating ritual into one’s day as a gentler alternative to traditional resolutions, which are so often abandoned within a month. As she writes, “It was about creating conditions in which we work—and the self doing it—could come into being.”

That idea resonated deeply with me. Losing my job last March set me on an unexpected path and abruptly changed my lifestyle. I shifted into gig work (cat sitting mostly paid the bills), rented out my spare room (I now have a delightful English student living with me), and launched my quilting business.

Anyone who knows me well knows that my first and most important daily ritual begins with brewing and drinking a cup of coffee but my days are fairly unstructured unless I’m working against a deadline. As the new year unfolds, I want to reflect more intentionally on building rituals that sustain me, creatively and otherwise. I would like protect time for creating work as an artist which seems antithetical to building my business. It’s a balancing game for sure.

I’m deeply grateful to the people whose support helped me immeasurably during this year of transition: my family and siblings; close friends who listened; my brother, who bought me a computer when I was struggling to update my website on an iPad; my quilting communities—especially @sfsewandsews; and my friend Lisa, who connected me to cat-sitting opportunities that helped keep me afloat.

I couldn’t have done this alone. And to you, my readers—thank you for being here and for your continued support.

Warmly,
Claudia

A New Year, Rituals, and Gratitude

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