I love seeing what others have chosen for their word(s) to guide them as we step into a bright and shiny new year. As humans we are always seeking to improve on the years that have passed and dreaming of what’s possible with all we’ve learned and experienced so far. Some people are selecting masculine words to gain or maintain momentum and drive, bringing more yang energy to their life. Others are looking to step back, slow down or go within with feminine words that express their ying energy. Perhaps you’re still figuring out your word, in which case Susannah Conway’s Find Your Word mini e-course may be your cup of tea (it’s free!).

I’ve chosen three words for my year and I really feel that one feeds into the next in what I hope will be a divine and powerful combination, the complete triangle of my intentions. These have been lingering in my mind for a couple of months and I’ve used a few guided prompts to discover why these are the words I feel will bring me closer to, or reaching, my dreams and goals.

Being insightful in seeking out opportunities that align with my own vision. Creating connections and relationships with all different creative people, and being open to different collaborative ideas. Adjusting my daily routine in a way that inspires me to work smarter, not harder. Keeping the bigger picture in mind.

To help remind me of this word I have ordered an ‘opportunity’ mandala ring from The Fifth Element Life.

Making use of all the resources I have gathered over the last few years and implementing what I am learning. Taking a break from buying or signing up for more new programs, courses, or books. Measuring results or effectiveness, taking what works for me and leaving the rest. Connecting with specific groups and learning from others. Setting aside time each week for these actions.

I will schedule a monthly check-in to help remind me of my intention to continue learning and implementing.

Creating healthy and energising daily habits that allow my mind and body to function at it’s best. Finding activities I enjoy. Meditating and keeping my chakras balanced. Spending time with people who themselves cultivate positive energy, and protecting my energy from negative situations. Having excitement and enthusiasm for life.

I have my favourite crystals placed around my home, studio and on my body to remind me to seek ways to raise my energy and vibration.

Interested in a free printable graphic of your word of the year? Simply comment before the 10th January with your word or words and which colour you’d like from the examples above and I’ll send you a high res graphic next week to print and stick up on your wall, vision board or in your journal as a reminder. The email you include in the comment will be where I send your graphic.

May all your words come to life in 2015!

*comments are now closed, thank you so much everyone!

In November, Maps to Herself turned one! While I may not have written many posts over that time, each one came along when it was ready to and holds a special meaning for me. I adore how organically the blog has grown, the people it’s reached and inspired, and it will continue to be a peaceful and encouraging place for me. A beautiful space that I know will always be there when I need it.

As I look back on the past year, often I feel like a lot has changed, but on the inside I feel like it hasn’t so much as I’ve just gone a little deeper. I’ve seen changes to my environment, how I spend my time, friendships, adventures, and all really positive events, but I do also feel like I am the same. That I am just how I am supposed to be and who I always was. To others I may be showing different parts of myself, but my inner world, where most of all our attention lies, is a familiar place. I haven’t felt the desire to change or transform to something better, or different. I think I am more accepting of who I am without so much of the self-criticism, and I hope to continue to feel the underlying sense that I am on the right path.

We are now in our final few weeks of 2014, and as the last couple of months have been so focused on current projects, I haven’t really started thinking and planning the new year yet. I do love leaving some things open to what the universe has in stall for me, but I also know there are important things I’d like to do in 2015. There’s lots of amazing resources around to help plan your best year yet, I’d love to share one of my favourites, the Create Your Shining Year in Life + Biz workbook, I’m eagerly awaiting for my print copy to arrive! Another great tool is Susannah Conway’s Unravelling the Year Ahead workbook, available as a free download, I think you’ll love this year’s design!

Thank you for sharing this space with me over the past year, I’d love to hear what’s happening in your own spiritual or artistic journey, and what you’d love to achieve in the new year.

P.S. If you love these two artworks, I am giving away the original artworks as part of the prize draw when pre-ordering your pair of Darling Legs, along with some other awesome goodies! The standout favourite ‘A Place Yet to Explore’ has reached 41% funding! I’d love to put our efforts towards this amazing design and turn this artwork into a limited-edition piece of wearable art for your street, yoga or travel wardrobe!

There are moments where any one of us can find ourselves stuck or unclear when following our dreams or passions. Sometimes we’re not sure what our next step is, other times we know exactly what we need to do but face resistance. You may have found what you love doing, and want to spend all your time doing it, but it’s not working out how you wanted it to. You may keep pushing on with the best of intentions and hopeful plans, but something doesn’t feel right. I think we all go through periods like this. For me, it’s often because I’ve lost sight of why I began in the first place.

It’s so easy for us to get trapped in the pursuit of the goal and making it as far or further than someone else you perceive as successful in a way that you would like to be. As soon as I become too fixated on numbers (sales, likes, followers, shares) my motivation and creative work suffers. I don’t want to spend my time wondering why or how other people got to where they are, and what I’m missing and doing wrong. I’m certain those people have other people they look to and wonder the same thing. One of the most difficult aspects of being part of the online world is not comparing ourselves to the lives that other people selectively and deliberately choose to show us. Let them be an inspiration to a certain degree, but not an indication of where you should or need to be right now, or maybe ever.

Your journey will most certainly take on a different path to what you think it will, and where it leads you is not as important as where it is now, and what brought you here. If your present situation is not feeling good or making you happy, ask yourself if you are staying true to the idea or passion that initially captured your heart.

Today I was reminded again why I began this blog, to play and be present in the moment.

Remembering why you started allows you to feel the flow and joy that comes from simply doing what you love, without expectations or objectives. Just you and the essence of your purpose. Magic.