“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
~ Annie Dillard
I love beginning a new post with a favorite poem or quote. Here’s one from the numinous poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, that bubbled up to the surface today at just the right moment:
Unresolution
Because after all these years
of focusing on the goal as if
happiness is a thing I attain
or a place I might finally reach,
now I thrill when I see through
the myth of arrivals.
I see where I have grasped
and clutched and clawed
and scrabbled to be somewhere
not where I am. Not that I regret it.
The memory of grabbing
helps me feel how beautiful it is
each time the hand opens
like a morning to what is here,
opens as if the opening itself
is what I am here to do.
___
A Glimpse at my 2024
In many ways the past year has felt like a layered blurry cake of emotions, experiences, and changes. As a mother, wife, artist, art therapist, and friend – these aspects of self have danced together, sometimes in unison and sometimes taking turns as the lead partner. At times I’ve approached life head on, and other times I’ve crept around the corner and retreated a few steps. There have been moments of stillness and somewhat chaotic or frenetic moments.
In 2024, my work as an art therapist continued to evolve in meaningful ways. I continued my work at Lifebridge, providing art therapy to unhoused individuals at their primary Salem location. I also expanded my work to offer art therapy groups at their new women’s shelter and at the Cabot Apartments, where I engage with long-term residents.
Making the difficult decision to step away from teaching at Emmanuel College in Boston was not easy, but it was freeing for me to be closer to home and avoid the challenges of Boston’s rush hour traffic. I deeply miss the school and the art department, and I’m grateful for my time there—it was where my journey as a professor of art therapy began. However, this year, I had the pleasure of teaching a Jung & Creative Arts Therapy course at Endicott College, and I’ve deeply enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and co-creating with students each week.
In my art therapy consultant business, I’ve continued to work with incredible organizations and individuals, bringing therapeutic art workshops to diverse groups. I’ve maintained a strong focus on our “Create & Connect” workshops, which support professionals such as therapists, nurses, doctors, case managers, directors, and teachers. These workshops offer both professional development and mental health support for those who are often in the role of caregivers themselves.
One of the highlights of my year was an August collaboration with rabbis from Hebrew SeniorLife. Together, we offered a two-day expressive arts therapy and trauma-focused Zoom retreat called “Refresh,” aimed at supporting rabbis and chaplains in Israel following the October 7th attacks. In November, this same remarkable group of rabbis came to the north shore for a week of healing and reflection. We engaged in trauma centered care, personal narrative practices, reflective listening, and expressive arts therapy experiences designed to support their ongoing healing journey, and share practices that can be brought back to their communities in Israel.
Another highlight of 2024 was my collaboration with the incredible leaders from New Profit, where I had the privilege of being a keynote presenter and workshop facilitator at their annual school director gathering. The event was held in a stunning atrium at the New England Botanic Garden. As we began, it was pouring rain, and the soothing sound of raindrops against the glass created a peaceful, meditative atmosphere. Halfway through our art therapy workshop, the sun broke through, and we all basked in the light while searching for rainbows to match the vibrant, mixed-media artwork we had created together.
In 2024, I spent time in my studio, but I also found myself creating small pieces of art throughout the house. I’ve continued to leave little stashes of art materials in accessible corners, and as I reflect on the past year, I realize I created something—sometimes as small as 4×4 inches—every day. I followed the same creative advice I share with my art therapy clients: little creative moments add up. Never let a lack of time hold you back. Even just two minutes of art is better than none at all. And with that, remember to give yourself grace, trusting that the art (or music, or writing, or any other creative practice) is always patiently waiting for you to return when you’re ready.
Intentions versus Resolutions
This year, I didn’t set a “resolution.” I didn’t do it last year either. Instead, I chose to create an intention for 2025. Actually, I set several. For me, intentions feel different from resolutions. They are more open and flexible, like inner compasses that can be adjusted along the way.
One of my personal art making intentions is to challenge myself in the studio this year, exploring new surfaces, styles, and color palettes. Today, I spent some time in the studio, working with bright fluorescent acrylics and experimenting with layering and uncovering hidden depths. It felt like a fresh start, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
In my art therapy practice, I’ve set the intention to experiment with new materials in my groups. While my personal work has largely focused on 2D mediums like drawing, painting, and printmaking, I’ve felt a strong pull to expand my offerings to clients, providing a wider range of options for self-expression. To be fully transparent, I’ve had some anxiety around 3D materials and techniques since my younger years—perhaps influenced by a few unkind 3D college professors in the past. This year, I’m challenging myself to explore at least one new 3D art form and gradually incorporate it into my groups when it feels right.
In 2024, I set the intention to integrate my mindfulness and meditation background more deeply with my art therapy work. I had hoped to offer at least one “closed” mindfulness-based art therapy group, either in person or online. However, something held me back, and while I spent a lot of time daydreaming about it, I didn’t move forward as I had planned. So, for 2025, I’ve set a clear and focused intention to make this group a reality. I’m excited to share that I’ve already received approval to offer a six-week closed mindfulness-based art therapy group at one of my Lifebridge/YMCA locations, and I can’t wait to see it come to life.
And as I type, I’m moving forward in another 2025 intention! I intend to write more this year. Writing fills me with joy and a sense of purpose and also helps me distill my own lived experience in my personal and professional life. Many times my inner perfectionist would stop me from hitting the “publish” button. I’m hoping to shift my relationship to that perfectionistic part, and remind her that it’s more important to share my passion than wait for the “perfect” words to spring forth. So here is my imperfect (but wholehearted) offering to myself and to you – the reader!
Your Turn
Do you have any intentions for 2025? Perhaps one – or perhaps a few in different life areas? If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some ideas I’ve come up with that might be intriguing and helpful.
Mind/Body/Spirit triad
Open a fresh page in your journal and write the words “mind,” “body,” and “spirit,” leaving space beneath each one. Then, close your eyes and settle into stillness. Imagine the shifts you’d like to see in each area of your life. Start with what’s already working well—it can be a powerful foundation. For instance, if you’re already good at staying hydrated, give yourself credit under “body.” If your sleep habits could use some improvement, recognize that, too. This practice can help you focus on both growth and gratitude.
To bring this concept into the visual realm, try experimenting with interlocking mandalas (also called a mandorla), where each of the three parts has its own circle that connects and overlaps in the center. You might want to write “Self” or “Me” in the center point. Use colors and marks in each circle that feel connected to the words you’ve written under mind, body, and spirit. Let the colors and shapes reflect the energy or qualities that emerge for each area.
If you’re interested in further mandala inspiration, please visit my 2016 blog post on on Intention Mandala creation.
Meditation Cards
I frequently use different meditation cards in my personal and professional work. I have several decks that I adore, and there are some clear favorites amongst my clients. I let them know that they are not tarot cards – meaning they are not about predicting their future. Rather, they are tools for reflection. As Bruce Lee once said, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”
For deck inspiration I love any deck created by artist Kim Krans. I have the Wild Unknown Archetype Deck and the Animal Spirit deck. I also love decks by artist Alana Fairchild and have her Kuan Yin and Rumi deck.
There are so many ways to work with these cards, but a simple way is to ask the deck a question such as “help me focus on a heart-centered intention for today” and then shuffle the deck, spread it out face down, and draw one card. Once you have the card, notice your initial gut feeling about the card. Does it immediately resonate or does it confuse you? Does the message connect or do you need to dig a bit deeper to unearth it’s magic?
To go further, I suggest journaling about the card. Try stream of consciousness writing for a few minutes. Or create a response piece of art to the card and then engage in a creative dialogue with your art piece.
You can pull a new card each day, once a week, once a month, or even pull one at the beginning of each new year.
Intentions on the Move
Yesterday, during my art therapy group at the women’s shelter, one of the women stood up after drawing and said, “Now I want to put on some music and dance around.” I encouraged her, sharing that one way to think about emotions is as energy in motion.
To infuse your intentions with energy, if you can, try going for a walk. Leave your phone and music at home so the textures of the world around you can serve as a temporary soundtrack. Before you lace up your sneakers, pause and ask yourself, “What is my intention for today?” Then walk your way into that intention.
I recognize that physical movement isn’t always accessible, so as an alternative, try gently swaying if you’re seated. You could also try subtle head rolls, circling your wrists and ankles, or taking slow, mindful breaths—drawing in the air and then releasing it—to help move the energy within.
Back in 2021 I wrote and shared an intention-centered poem. I’ll reshare it here, and hope that it brings you some inspiration as we move into this new year. And I love hearing what’s on your mind and in your heart, so please feel free to leave comments about your intentions, ideas, and 2025 creative musings.
May you…
Have the Confidence to follow your heart,
The Calmness to breathe through challenges,
The Creativity to sculpt and compose each day,
The Clarity to discern what matters most,
The Curiosity to explore and play,
The Courage to follow your internal compass,
The Compassion that includes both yourself and others,
and the Connectedness to know your true belonging in this world.
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