Goodbye, 2020
“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” -Buddha
Dear reader,
I recently read a piece in The New Yorker titled Cancel New Year's Eve Forever. While I understand the sentiment Sarah speaks about, I do appreciate the finality that comes with December 31st. A new beginning. The opening of doors and possibilities. A moment of pause for those who didn’t make it to the new year. A celebration of survival.
I’ve been contemplating what new habits I’d like to form in the coming year, not as resolutions (I find them too stringent and burdensome) but real changes that reflect the growth I want for myself. The three things on top of my list:
1. Be kinder to yourself.
2. Stop overthinking everything.
3. Make more art.
I saved one of my favorite poems that I read this year to share with you all today:
For My Young Friends Who Are Afraid by William Stafford
There is a country to cross you will
find in the corner of your eye, in
the quick slip of your foot – air far
down, a snap that might have caught.
And maybe for you, for me, a high, passing
voice that finds its way by being
afraid. That country is there, for us,
carried as it is crossed. What you fear
will not go away: it will take you into
yourself and bless you and keep you.
That’s the world, and we all live there.
Links to end 2020 / start 2021 with:
Goodbye, 2020: the interview series
For the past three years, I’ve been doing an interview series at the end of the year, speaking to a few creative, awesome human beings who helped me cope, kept me inspired, or were just a fabulous discovery that year. I’ve continued the tradition this year too, and can’t wait to share some pieces of wisdom/insights from each person:
“I’m always learning something new from the ochre and rocks and landscapes (and people) I form relationships with. Because my work is sort of all encompassing – I don’t often make a lot of time for extra hobbies as much as I could. I learned how to build better fires and swim in colder water more often. I learned a little better how to pay attention to the weather, but I’m not very good at this yet. I’m continuing to learn how to forage mushrooms for food and medicines. I’m trying to learn how to drink more water and stretch more consistently.”
-Heidi Gustafson | Pigment forager and researcher
“One of the key things for me to be proud of this year was to take my insecurities and self-doubt and channel them in a way where I could use them to work harder. I had been drifting a bit in the past but this year, I could finally just put my head down and focus my emotions towards getting more and more work done.”
-Maanvi Kapur | Visual Artist
“The most important thing I have learned this year is to be observant and appreciative of insects that I share my home with! And the credit for this goes to the I-naturalist app. I have even started documenting these insects in illustrations, in a series I call 'Home biodiversity'.”
-Rohan Chakravarty | Cartoonist, Green Humour
“It’s okay to seek out help if needed. It’s okay to not be productive all the time.”
-Livia Falcaru | Illustrator
“Cook proper food, go outside as much as possible and appreciate the beauty of the world. Tell your loved ones that you really do love them. Talk to people when you think about them. Don’t be afraid of the things you like and be who you want to be!”
-Ollie Sillvester | Illustrator
“My bucket list for 2021: Smooch my friends. Go to a bar with my husband. See my kid get to play with another kid for the first time.”
-Eleanor Davis | Cartoonist, Illustrator
“I’d like to see my friends again! Specifically, if the vaccination roll-out is successful, I’d like to go back to the UK, where I used to live for ages. It’s a trip that I’ve put off for a variety of reasons over the years (chronic illness being at the forefront), but one that I desire now with a force that’s almost too hard to contain. Sticky toffee pudding, anyone?”
-Richa Kaul Padte | Writer
“My son achieved a lot this year: he is riding his balance bike well, he became water safe in the pool and he is beginning to read. I am immensely proud of him. On a more personal note, all the work I have been putting in to my practice is paying off finally by getting a little recognition here and there.”
-Alex Selkowitz | Painter
“I’ve always been rather impulsive. I like rushing into things head on with little to no thought. But this time, I’ve learned to be more mindful and trust in the process– which works in pretty much everything like relationships, fitness, goals, career.”
-Tish Valenzuela | Illustrator
“I was always intrigued by the way dreams made space for so many possibilities on an external level. But I finally articulated the importance of dreams in my own life: holding me through trauma and illness, and now I feel a little silly that I didn’t see it earlier. But it’s been very exciting to explore this more intentionally.”
-Sonaksha Iyengar | Illustrator
“All that matters is your inner circle of few people. What brings happiness is to create and be surrounded by art. To be close to nature and animals.”
-Bharati Pitre | Sculptor
Before I wrap up this final newsletter of the year, I’m over the moon to share something I’ve been working on this year with all of you: a 2021 wall calendar with all my silly doodles to keep you smiling through the new year. You can order it here! :)
Thank you all for subscribing, for sharing your thoughts and recommendations from time to time, and for reading along with me. I wish you all a very happy new year. Here’s hoping for a brighter 2021.
Love and light,
Rohini