The New Year's Resolution That Changed My Life

Every year, millions of people make New Year's resolutions, but few stick to them long enough to see real change. In 2014, I made a resolution that not only lasted but transformed my life in ways I never expected. This is the story of how one decision opened a door to creativity and ultimately a new career.

The catalyst

At the end of 2014, I found myself stuck in a routine that drained my energy. I was a mom of three and working full-time in a very stressful marketing role. I was aware of the typical resolutions people make—lose weight, save money, quit bad habits—but I wanted something different. I needed a resolution that would bring some calm and peace to my life. It was a pretty simple resolution - to set aside one hour a week to do something creative.

Making it happen

I scheduled it on my calendar - one hour every Saturday morning. My one "rule" was that whatever I created, I was probably going to throw it away. You can't believe how freeing that is! I wasn't concerned with the end product - it was more about the time I spent playing and creating.

At first, I just grabbed some pencils, markers, and watercolor paints that my kids had. After a month or so, I began searching online for new ideas and came across a project that used alcohol ink. I was instantly drawn to the vibrant colors - they resembled watercolors, but on steroids! I watched some videos on YouTube (this video by Francine Dufour Jones really inspired me!) and bought a few inks to play with. It was such a fun medium to work with. Hard to control, but very forgiving.

Sharing the love

It wasn't long before I fell in love with alcohol inks and wanted to share how fun they could be with some friends of mine. I had some ladies over, and we played a bit on ceramic tiles. One of my friends had a small art gallery and asked me if I'd like to teach a class. I agreed, but I was terrified. I couldn't even sleep the night before. I nervously started guiding them through a couple of techniques and projects, and by the end of the class, I had this profound feeling in my soul that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

A new career

For the next year, I continued my full-time job and taught classes in the evening and on weekends. Even though my schedule was busy, the workshops were so fun for me that it didn't seem like work. In 2019, I had a serious inner ear infection that knocked me for a loop. I lost most of my hearing in my left ear, and my balance was severely impaired for over three months. I couldn't work, I couldn't drive, and I developed tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that was debilitating, wreaking havoc with my nervous system. Then came Covid and I was let go from my marketing job. Creating art was such a lifesaver during that time. And once I regained my balance, I started teaching again and selling my artwork full-time.

Your own journey

If you’re thinking about making a New Year’s resolution, consider choosing one that focuses on daily, weekly, or even monthly habits that feed your soul and bring you joy. You never know where they may lead you!