Spark Joy: Tips for a Fulfilling New Year
December 25, 2024
The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to embrace your creativity and reflect on what truly brings meaning to your life. Whether it’s through arts & crafts, reading, cooking, or simply savoring quiet moments of reflection, creativity can help you look inward and find clarity. It’s also a time to share that joy with loved ones. By nurturing both yourself and those around you, you create a ripple effect of positivity to carry into the year ahead.
As you step into the new year, we’re sharing guidance, tutorials, and inspiration, courtesy of our friends at Smith Street Books and Batsford.
Calm Your Mind
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If you’re feeling out of balance, there are ways to use the power of art to quiet your racing mind and help you achieve a sense of stillness. Drawing inspiration and empowerment from others can guide you through these emotional challenges and uncover uplifting solutions.
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Whether you wake up to the gentle chirping of birds or dash out the door in a hurried rush, setting aside a moment for yourself in the morning can work wonders for your mood. One great way to start your day with a serotonin boost is by immersing yourself in inspiring and positive verses.
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Love is such a uniquely human feeling that people have been writing about it since the invention of writing. Surrounding yourself with love every day nurtures positivity and helps you stay grounded, fostering a sense of connection and joy throughout your life.
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Spotting a meteor, or shooting or falling star as they are commonly known, is a time-honored pastime. Interpreted in many different ways, it is widely believed that catching sight of a falling star is an omen of good things to come, as well as a general sign of good luck.
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Explore Your Creativity
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Many people struggle with sketchbooks. Maybe it is the formality of them, or maybe it is the idea of spoiling a clean book. But true creative freedom comes when we let go of perfection, allowing ourselves to explore without hesitation, to create without boundaries, and to embrace the process rather than worry about the outcome.
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Don’t let the chill of winter fool you into thinking nature’s creativity is on pause. When the cold January wind is howling and the Christmas wreaths have been put away, it’s the perfect time to brighten your space with something fresh and crisp, like a wreath in frosty, icy tones.
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Starting something new can feel intimidating, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Experimenting with abstract art opens up countless ways to play with materials, explore color and composition, and create something truly unique.
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Whether you’re a cautious Virgo, a colorful Leo, or a sensitive Cancer, the meditative practice of coloring allows you to explore your inner world, while the colors you choose resonate with the celestial forces that shape your being.
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Expand Your Horizons
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Books have a unique power to open our minds, offering a window into new places, cultures, and perspectives. Through their pages, they allow us to step outside of our own world, broadening our empathy and enriching our knowledge, helping us grow as individuals and connect with the wider human experience.
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Cook Your Way Around the World
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Tacos originated in ancient Mexico, where indigenous people wrapped fillings in corn tortillas. Over time, this humble dish has evolved into a global favorite, with countless variations that blend traditional and innovative flavors from around the world.
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For any visitor to Japan, it becomes immediately clear how central the convenience store (or konbini) is to everyday life. Locals will pop into the konbini multiple times a day for household items, manga and, of course, food in all its forms, from instant snacks, onigiri, lunch bento, and steaming oden to the fluffiest cheesecake slices and pot noodles.
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“There is bread and salt between us.” This phrase, symbolizing the act of breaking bread together, welcome, gratitude, friendship, and trust, epitomizes the spirit of the baking culture of the Middle East.
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The diversity of food in New York City is like taking a culinary trip around the world without ever leaving the city. However—despite its endless variety and the tastes of countless cultures—what any true New Yorker knows is which bodega serves the best Bacon, Egg, and Cheese.
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The Italian coast of the Adriatic Sea runs from the tip of the heel of the boot-shaped peninsula to the northern waters of the Gulf of Trieste. With a history touched by Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Venetian and Austrian populations, the food of the Adriatic mirrors the memories and traditions of peoples past and present who have lived on its shores, with ingredients reflecting the climate and terrain.
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Hong Kong is one of the world’s most vibrant cities—a place that’s bursting at the seams with incredible food and the people who love to eat it. From bustling markets to fine-dining restaurants, the city offers a delicious food adventure from breakfast through to dinner.
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Make New Friends
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Deciding to bring a dog into your life is a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it’s also one of the most rewarding choices you can make. From cozy nights on the couch to sharing your bed (and letting them shamelessly hog it), having a dog means adding unconditional love, endless joy and a little chaos to your home—in the best possible way.
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Embrace Your Inner Pessimist
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Sometimes, a little pessimism can be surprisingly liberating. Embracing your darker outlook doesn’t mean giving up—it’s about owning your perspective and finding humor in the absurdity of it all. Revel in the chaos, let your cynicism sharpen your wit, and sit back watch the world burn.
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Admit it, the end of the world can seem oddly appealing at times. Good thing there are plenty of ways it could happen—and many of them come courtesy of the sky above. From fiery meteors to apocalyptic storms, the heavens always seem ready to remind us of their menacing power.
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Opening photo from A Year of Flower Wreaths
