Do you look back this time of the year what’s behind you, or make plans for the upcoming time?
Hi, I am Erika,
the founder and the creative leader of Beadingschool. In December, when the busy Advent season is over, I like to take some time to calm down, look back, and to think about future plans – for Beadingschool and myself.
Today, I would like to share with you some thoughts about the later, and how it resonates with Pantone’s new color of the year: the Peach Fuzz.
Do you remember what I told you about bucketlists in January, and how I hope that you don’t have one? Not in your beading, and neither in your personal life?
Instead of deadlines and unrealistic to-do lists I prefer setting only a general direction for what I would like to achieve, where I would like to travel, what I would like to learn, and which beads I would like to play with.
Keeping the direction on my mind is usually enough to make sure that I walk towards what I feel valuable – sometimes with smaller steps, sometimes faster, sometimes with seemingly unnecessary distractions.
Sometimes even stopping, and having to catch my breath when the path is more rugged and less straigthforward then I expected it to be.
After a trying time in 2020-22 which nearly broke my spirit with depression, financial challenges, and personal losses, I wished for a calmer, kinder year. I remember waking up on the 1. January 2023, and how I longed for healing and tranquility.
Beads, friends, loved ones, accepting my faults and setting my boundaries, and opening up to new challenges and destinations were all part of that.
Today, when I am thinking about a word that should characterize 2024 for me, then I am thinking about LOVE. Being loved, surround myself with kind people, and last but not least, to embrace loving myself, too.
PANTONE says about the new color of the year:
“Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”
It echoes our yearning for closeness and connection, a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion.
What a nice coincidence, right?
Over the past weeks, as this wish to focus on love has started to formulate in my mind, I am noticing more intensely also how people around me think and talk about this topic.
I often hear someone saying that rewarding themselves and taking care of their own needs makes them feel guilty.
While I would never say to a close friend that she only needs to focus on others and work harder to feel valued, it’s easy to be harsh on myself.
Does it sound like a nice New Year’s resolution? Do you plan to use the Peach Fuzz color in your beadwork?
Tell me more about it in the Beadingschool Club!
HAPPY BEADING,
Erika from Beadingschool
If you need peach-colored beads for your bead mat, click here to see all the pearls, cabochons, connectors, and more in the Beadingschool Bead Shop.
Thanks to the BIG TREASURY SALE (-15% off nearly everything – see the picture below), this is your chance to get them (and every other color and component you like) for a nice price. Make sure to use the code ‘TREASURE’ as this deal is not automatic, and place your order before 9. January 2024, 5 PM CET / 11 AM NYC / 8 AM California / 5 AM NZ.
Just finished the Willows bracelet project and I’m in love with the design. How can I get more instructions from you?
Thank you!
I love this! I used to be one to create the New Year’s resolution list only to put things on it that were unrealistic to achieve. I love that you set an intention for your year, which gives you direction. That is beautiful! I also do my best to practice self care, which some think of as “selfish”, however if we don’t take care of ourselves we don’t have as much to give to others. Operating from a full cup vs a half full or empty cup, is so much better for everyone.
I’m looking forward to more beadinschool this year! I love this community you have created. 🥰🤗😘
Dear Susan, I’m so happy that these thoughts resonate with you! Please take good care of yourself and tend to whatever recharges your energy 🙂 Happy new year!