Dear Future You - reimagining 2020 one letter at a time

Our visions for this year may seem like too much to ask in the face of a global pandemic, but will the future you thank you for downsizing your aspirations - or even shelving your dreams altogether?

“You want to be a fairy?” my dad quipped when he saw my 2020 vision board.

It’s a kind triptych and on the first panel there’s a woman, her back to the camera, arms flung joyfully in the air, and a set of beautiful blue butterfly wings on her back. She might look like a modern-day fairy, but what she represented to me back in January was freedom.

Ironic, eh?

Well, while Lockdown Life might feel far from free it’s offered some of us (non key workers) another type of freedom. Work has been pared back. Staying in no longer means missing out. Right now, we have space to reimagine.

Which got me thinking about butterfly symbolism and associations with transformation.

Back to Better Basics

This pandemic has set the stage for getting back to basics.

On the one hand we’re valuing simpler things, like connecting with neighbours and being more creative. Yet, it’s also throwing up darker stuff around family, finances and the future. In short, these so-called ‘unprecedented times’ are encouraging us (sometimes rather forcefully) to reassess.

Some of us might interpret this as shelving our dreams and aspirations and trading them in for some cold hard realism. But what if we think more Marie Kondo when faced with rearranging our lives? Instead of seeing what we have to give up could we ask:

“Does this bring me joy?”

And, can we learn to embrace certain limitations? After all, necessity is the mother of invention, as they say.

Imagining Your New Normal

But where do we begin? Transformation is uncomfortable and challenging. It requires energy and perseverance. What if you feel stuck? Overwhelmed? Or helpless?

Zone out and watch TV?

Well...

For a while Instagram had me wondering if everyone else was busily baking from scratch, and pinning rainbows to windows, while peacefully homeschooling their kids, and performing business pivots that would render Craig Revel Horwood speechless.

So I signed onto some FutureLearn courses - I needed to get my head round the world's financial system pronto. Except, well, I haven’t. In between work and Lockdown Life with my sister and three young nephews I’ve managed, instead, to vastly improve my glare and, yes, my telly watching capabilities.

I know!

Right!?

Then I saw this (Nationwide) ad in which people share some thoughts and feelings about their current lives with their future selves in six months' time - a kind of Lockdown (video) letter, if you will. And, it got me thinking:

“What will the future you thank present you for?”

Dear Future You...

Writing letters to the future you is the kind of writing prompt you might do at school or, like me, on a community volunteer course, say. It’s simple, yet effective. And, I’d argue that these strangest of times provide an ideal opportunity to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard, if you prefer).

As composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim once said:

“The more restrictions you have, the easier anything is to write.”

So, if you’ve been confused, sidelined, or even crushed by this pandemic and the fallout, how about feeling out what your New Normal could look like by writing to future you? What would you like future you to remember or to have learned? In short, where would you like future you to be?

Think of yourself as a reassuring friend, and consider:

• Starting by reflecting on where you are now - clarify and revisit recent experiences

• Sharing how you feel - What are you enjoying? What are you concerned about?

• Reflecting on your values - What matters to you now? Why?

• Setting goals for your ideal New Normal future

• Giving yourself advice - reassure yourself like a friend

• Asking yourself questions

Think in terms of:

• Reflection meets gratitude list meets pep talk

PS you’re a chrysalis

While it’s tempting to zone out with a bottle of wine and a box set, realising I could either see this time as a kind of prison or a vessel of potential - a chrysalis, perhaps? - was a wee bit more empowering than worrying about, well, the entire world.

TIP: I usually handwrite letters to my future self and keep them in my journal, but you might want to use an online tool, like Future Me, and set a time for your letter to be emailed back to you. While a year (or more) is usually popular, six months (the end of 2020 at time of writing) is probably ample distance in these fast-changing, coronavirus times, I reckon.

Have you ever written a letter to your future self? If so, what did you discover?

What’s an Art Journal Anyway? - from benefits to prompts + beyond

Imagine a place, just for you, where you get to express yourself without judgement and where being creative is an act of self-care. Enter the art journal.

When I was a teenager I used to pepper my journals with collage, illustration and comic-strip style stories pondering what seemed like hugely consequential incidents and emotions mostly concerning: boys, clothes, what-she-said, my place in a baffling world, and the like.

So, a few years ago when I [re]discovered art journalling it turned out my teenage self knew something thirty-something me had forgotten - that art you create just for you is a powerful way to express and explore your thoughts and feelings, and gain new insights.

That’s why art journalling has me hooked. But like any good book, there’s much more to this art journalling story. I believe anyone, whether you consider yourself ‘creative’ or not, will find art journalling an immensely pleasurable way to reconnect with yourself and rediscover hidden depths.

And, fortunately getting started with art journalling is pretty darned easy.

What’s an art journal?

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page and start off with a definition from moi.

“Put simply, an art journal is a book where you explore your thoughts, feelings and ideas visually.”

There tend to be two key types of art journal:

• The artist’s journal - Creative types will often keep art journals, or sketchbooks, to record inspirations, delve deeper into ideas, and try out new techniques without the pressure of having to create a finished piece.
  

• The personal journal - But the kind of art journals we’re talking about here are more akin to the written journal. Think Adrian Mole, but instead of a biro-brandishing spidery scrawl the art journalist primarily uses images, doodles, colour and patterns, and more.

But I’m not creative...

“Drawing prowess is often equated with being creative, but this is nonsense.”

Creativity is in our nature. As children most of us revelled in playing with paint, felt tips and crayons. Now, keeping an art journal will provide you with the perfect space to play.

Because art journalling is about the process. Often, the daunting thing about art is the thought of producing a finished product. You know, a painting or song or play, you then share with the big scary, critical world. But, in contrast, art journalling is focused on the journey and sharing is optional. Phew!

What do I do in my art journal?

The beauty of art journalling is that anything goes! Yes, that means all that stuff you enjoyed as a kid can be put to good use, think:

• Scribbling

• Doodling

• Collaging

• Painting

• Splodging

• Delicate drawing

• Destructive messes

• And, everything in between…

There are oodles of prompts and ideas out there on places like Pinterest and other art journalling communities - examples include Get Messy Art and Art Witch Academy. Prompts help you overcome blank page block and just get started:

• Get inspired by nature like Kristal Norton

• Create a collage by tearing and layering found images like Monique Vettraino

• Pick a photo or magazine page and alter it with pens and stickers like Naomi Vona

• Or play with pattern and colour like Sangita Chandrashekher

What are the benefits of art journalling?

I’ve mentioned some of the benefits you might experience by keeping an art journal, but in case you need a bit more convincing art journalling can help you:

• Record memories

• Work through emotions

• Get into your creative flow

• Get stuff off your chest and relax

• Get to the crux of a problem

• Rediscover what you want or need

• Reconnect you with your sense of self

• Be more present

• Have fun

And much more...

What do I need to art journal?

“Art journalling doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.”

• The book - It goes without saying that you need a book. A5 is a good size to start with. Ideally choose a book with paper which can deal with mixed media, otherwise your pages are liable to crinkle - which doesn’t matter in the least, of course, it’s all down to personal preference!

• Art materials - Start collecting a range of art materials. At first you might want to explore the discount stores or charity shops. Felt tips, permanent markers, indian ink, acrylic paint and glue will all be put to good use. And, remember, when it comes to art journals anything can be an art material, think: stickers, wrappers, vintage or found paper, feathers, nail varnish, fabric, etc.

Your art journal is for you

Your art journal is a space where you can relax and explore with colour, pattern, lines, and words. All you need is curiosity and an open mind. You can produce ‘ugly’ art or Instagrammable spreads. Share the results or keep them to yourself. In short, your art journal is your oyster.

• Check out my Instagram feed for more details of current art journal events in or near the Leigh-on-Sea and Southend areas in Essex.