MY 2023 CREATIVE BUSINESS WORD OF THE YEAR
2022 was an…interesting year. It was full of grief and loss, bookended by two amazing travel trips, which makes looking back on everything a weird mix of emotions. Instead of 2022 being the year of going all in on my art like I had planned back in January, it became a year of travel and grief.
I had chosen “Artist” as my word of the year for 2022, with grand ideas in January to pivot my business from only freelance writing to a writing/art mix. Life had other plans and the year didn’t turn out how I thought it would. However, even though I didn’t get to create a sustainable artistic and creative practice like I had planned, by the end of the year I still considered myself an artist – which was my goal. I had no problem introducing myself as an artist (or at least a “freelance writer and artist”), so overall I’m calling it a win!
Here’s a few snapshots of 2022 before we talk about my word of the year for 2023.
The good: I had some wonderful encouragement and beginning success as I focused more time and energy on cyanotype art. I created a line of greeting cards, began selling products online, and even have my artwork available for sale in a local shop! I began confidently calling myself an artist when people asked what I did. Woo!
This was also the year I really buckled down – when I could. For a good chunk of time I had a regular art practice going and was growing my creative business. We also had some amazing travel throughout 2022, including a 6-month RV road trip that involved seeing a handful of places that were on our bucket list and a slow travel trip at the end of the year throughout Italy. Kacey and I also celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary!
The bad: This year was riddled with loss for us. We lost both our dog to cancer in spring and my mother in law to a heart attack in fall. We also both finally caught covid, but thankfully recovered with no lasting effects. With all life was throwing at us, everything took a back seat as we grieved and processed. And to be honest, we’re still in that stage.
Looking Forward:
2022 was largely spent traveling. Between staying and visiting with family after my mother in law’s passing, our RV trip, and our Italy trip, we spent 5 months away from our house. That’s crazy!
After some deep soul searching over the past year, my husband and I discussed how we desperately wanted time to stop moving and just be. To simply exist for a while. To put down roots and not constantly move from place to place anymore. I have all these creative ideas that I want to implement for my art and my business. But these ideas are all little seeds that need to be put in the ground and nurtured so they can grow roots and sprout.
Which coincides with a big move that’s coming up for us this spring. We’ve decided to move closer to family and friends and to an entirely new state. I’m so excited and impatient, but with that comes all sorts of unknowns and obligations that need to be met in life. Even though I want to jump in with all my ideas, running a creative business in a new city is starting over from the ground up. And in order for a plant to grow tall and strong, it needs solid roots.
So that leads me to my business word of the year:
ROOTED.
2023 is the year to establish myself as an artist and creative business owner in new soil. Meeting new people, planting the seeds of a new community, selling my products at local fairs and markets (something I really wanted to do this past fall). And becoming part of the local landscape and environment.
As much as I want to rush in and do the flashy, sexy, fun things for my business, having a good foundation – strong roots – is important for a successful business to grow and flourish. So this year I’ll plant those seeds, water and fertilize them, and establish the roots of my business so good things can continue to grow – both in my business and in life.
So here’s to a more rooted 2023. (And hold tight for more info on the big move in the next few months!)
What’s your word of the year?