As we begin to wind down 2021, I thought I’d share some thoughts, both personal and anecdotal, on the year that was.

This last year was a year of some big changes on the personal front. After living in New York for nearly 18 years I decided that I had to really listen to what I needed versus what I thought I needed. Living though the pandemic in 2020 highlighted so much for me, I had to sit with many uncomfortable truths, the biggest one ringing in my ear was that I was ready for a change. I was over living in a city and I not only craved nature but I needed it. I wanted to see wildflowers bloom, take dips in the ocean, and grow my own flowers and vegetable at a scale that measured more than a ceramic pot. I was scared but I should have felt so because I was jumping I to a new way of living in had eschewed for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, it had come with challenges to adjusting with a change of pace, learning to be idle, but also I like to have a worldly take on life. Small minds or backwards thinking I struggle with, I always have, which I why I love New York.

Being the open book as I am, I’ll be honest that I really struggled a lot this year with my mental health. I had some pretty dark moments where I wanted to give up on everything. The isolation of the pandemic was starting to really weigh on my heart and soul, but also here, in this space, I struggled. I thought about stopping a lot. I wasn’t receiving the support from individuals I featured which was pretty upsetting. This work is hard, and I kept asking, why am I putting myself through this? I’m thankful come July I started to feel better. It was almost like a beam of light was beginning to hit my face and make me feel alive again. I adopted a new attitude, of what will be will be and focusing on just the work itself and what I was creating versus the outcome.

Having struggled with confidence since I was a teenager, I told myself that this year, no more! I am worthy and I have something to offer. I leaned into creativity full force and took the reigns with photography. I’m so grateful for the individuals who I have worked with who believe in me and what I’m doing. It makes me feel so aligned and on purpose creating. I’m grateful that I didn’t stop and that I can do what I’m doing somewhere peaceful and beautiful. I’m also behind grateful that I was able to travel again outside of the U.S. and see my family on more than one occasion, including at my sister’s wedding in Vermont that was rescheduled three times.

As I look to the new year, I think about where I want to expand both personally and professionally. I want to move through life with a sense of calm and intention that radiates outward. I want to thank you for reading, this year so many new visitors came and discovered ROSE & IVY, so thank you for your support, truly. I hope that you have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and the brightest new year year. Until 2022, cheers!

xo

Alison

Reflections On A Year