A Mixtape from Allison Filice for the Journey Inward
ALLISON FILICE / WNW Member & Illustrator
During winter, nature forces us to spend time inside. The days are shorter and colder, making it a perfect time to hibernate, to build a fire, to settle in for the coming year. It’s a time to slow down and catch our breath. It’s a time to reflect and introspect. It’s a time to journey inward.
With the New Year bringing us a sense of new beginnings, it’s also an opportune time to reflect upon the past year and look ahead to the coming one. What are your intentions for the year ahead? What aspects of last year do you want to continue? And what aspects are best left in 2018?
“ What are your intentions for the year ahead? What aspects of last year do you want to continue? And what aspects are best left in 2018?”
My goal for last year was to get enough client work to be busy. The second half of the year saw that goal come into fruition, but to an extent that left me burnt out by the end of the year. Any sign of personal work (and my personal life) fell by the wayside, and I was working long days and nights up until Christmas to finish my deadlines. I’m very grateful for the work and proud of myself for reaching my goal, but upon reflection, I’d like to recalibrate a bit to find more balance in my life in 2019. I plan to make more time for my personal life and personal projects this year. Burnout also left me feeling pretty out of touch with myself, and I’m taking time to reconnect with myself through activities that bring me joy.
I encourage you to journey inward this winter. Set a course for what you want this year before the hustle and bustle takes you for a ride of its own. Spend some time alone journaling, reading, listening to music, or meditating. Your inner world is your oyster! Maybe even select a word as your intention for 2019. Be it Balance, Flow, Style, Travel or whatever you choose, my hope is that you enjoy the journey.
“Set a course for what you want this year before the hustle and bustle takes you for a ride of its own.”
Here are some songs that help get me in the mood to do some serious introspection. Hopefully they’ll help get you there as well. Enjoy!
“The only journey is the one within.” -Rainer Maria Rilke
Check out Allison’s previous WNW Mixtapes: Transmitting Your Creative Beacon and Relaxing into the Cosmic Flow.