Happy New Year

2023, here we are.

Honestly after 2020 happened I didn't know that I'd ever be happy and hopeful at New Years ever again! But here we are. I am so stoked to be welcoming in the New Year and proud to say that although there was definitely hard times in 2022, It was definitely my favourite year in a lonnnnng time! 

But lets take it back to the start.
 
2022

January - I started the year off depleted of everything. We were living in the house on the hill still, it was the hottest summer and we had no insulation or air-conditioning. I turned 26, and I was somewhat hopeful, I knew we could get out of the slump, it was just a matter of time and finding opportunities around us. We were still recuperating from 2021 and would be for quite a while longer. My husband and I sat down together and decided that we'd leave our rental, and move in with family for as long as we needed to get back up on our feet again. Vulnerability breeds connection, and that was just the beginning of reconnecting with our community again. On the 20th of January I launched Sol Search Studio, the combining of all my projects, and what would begin as a passion project, turned into a business, and that very business has helped me to grow and truly find my footing today. 

"Im falling in love with the process of becoming"

February - Was our final month at the house on the hill. Filled with preparing, cleaning and packing our things into storage. I overcame one of my biggest hurdles in life, which was what I call my "Trigger" Boxes. Boxes full of photos and items from my years of depression. I had tried to sort through these in the past but had been too triggered and had to put them away into storage again. This move felt important, and I built up the courage to try again. And I managed to sort through all of them, with very little tears. We go through hard times in life, but with a little time, a little soul work and a little grace, you can work through it - okay, maybe a lot of time, soul work and grace. But it's possible. 

"You are always one decision away from a totally different life"

March - We officially moved out, we patched and painted the spare room that would become our little safe space to recuperate. I really started to delve into some soul work, focusing on healing and art. Peace and Adventure Coexist truly became the motto of my year.

"You will get there, but right now you are here (and here is wonderful)"

April - Disconnect to reconnect. I decided to take a month off social media and it was the best decision for me at that time. I spent the month focusing on peace and adventure. Spending as much time outdoors as I could, writing daily micro journal entries and connecting with friends and family.

"You're doing so much better than you think"

May - The month I painted again. With very little work still, I started to lean into journaling and my art. May was all about finding pockets of peace, to sit in the quiet and just be.

"I am learning after all this time that although my voice has been my biggest weakness, its also my biggest strength"

June - Nature was calling. June was cooling down and hiking adventures were in full swing. In the moments I wasn't out hiking I was home sitting in the quiet creating art. Growing my passions and really looking within.

"There's a sunrise and sunset in everyday, you can choose to be there for it. You can put yourself in the way of beauty"

July - I was done with the quiet, I had rested enough and I was ready to fight again. I started applying for a few jobs, I was invited in for an interview and not long after I got the call back that I got the job! Many many tears were shed over this relief. In classic Liz style, I told them I wasn't available to start for 2 weeks as I had a sneaky Adelaide road trip planned! My parents were driving across Australia and offered a lift for me to go to Adelaide. I still had flight credits from covid cancellations so I figured, what the hell. Adelaide trips always result in a lot of good happening in my life, I might share here in the future, but if you know me personally then you'll know the healing that Adelaide has brought to me in the past. This trip couldn't have timed itself better. I surprised our family who didn't know I was sneaking over, and got to spend a lovely 2 weeks with them. It was the exact trip I needed. 

"She remembered who she was and the game changed"

August - I started my new job and it couldn't have fit into my life more perfectly! The hours didn't take away from my creative work, and my weekends were still available to continue connecting with my community. The people culture at the new job is amazing and will definitely protect me from burning myself out again. August was also the month I went to Bells Falls every weekend! Fond memories capturing the beautiful sunsets and the dogs living their best lives. 

"I don't need much, but I shouldn't let that fact hold me back from achieving more"

September - My husband and I celebrated 7 years of us! We also got an amazing opportunity to housesit for some family friends by the coast for 3 months. This meant for some much needed alone time after living with others again for a few months. Beach walks galore and a whole new area to explore. This was also the month that I made the decision to officially lay my first big project to rest (The Ladybird Movement 2012-2022). 

"If you can't change it, don't stress. If you can change it, don't stress"

October - The month I completed 100kms of walking raising money for The Blackdog Institute! I really enjoyed setting myself this challenge and showing myself that I could do whatever I set myself out to do.

"Finding peace wasn't the path I expected, but im so glad the search led me here"

November - My husband and I celebrated our 1st year of marriage! The warm weather started arriving and we managed a few paddle boarding adventures and spontaneous nighttime swims. I also snuck in a sneaky Bluff Knoll trip with a close friend of mine. Another trip that was a beautiful reminder of who I am and where I want to be in life. 

"I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire and not terrify me"

December - The final month of 2022. I snuck in a quick Geraldton trip with my mum, Christmas light looking with family, and experienced the funnest Christmas in years (Introduced our family to a new Christmas olympics tradition!) and a beautiful New Years Eve trip down to our friends cabin to see in the new year.

"Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine"

All in all, I loved 2022. Looking back; I know this year was of great importance and welcomed in a lot of the ground work for what 2023 will bring. Entering this new year feeling refreshed, prepared, hopeful, inspired and grateful. Thank you to all the different people who were a part of my 2022, it wouldn't have been the same without you there alongside me.

Heres to 2023! 

Love,
Liz x