Choosing words for the season

At the start of the year, I chose “Bloom” as my word for 2025. It felt right at the time, hopeful, expansive, and full of possibility. After two years of building, growing, and creating, I was ready to open up, to flourish, to let all the seeds I’d planted come into full colour.

And for a while, that’s exactly what happened. Through winter, spring, and summer, Bloom guided me beautifully. It encouraged me to step forward with confidence, share my work more openly, and continue nurturing my creative business. I felt aligned, energised, and inspired.

But lately, something has shifted.

As we drop into autumn and the leaves fall away from the trees, I’ve noticed my energy fading too. My creativity has slowed to a full stop. The ideas and energy that once came to me easily now feel harder to reach. I’ve caught myself staring at the page (or the wall!), unsure what to write or draw, and I'm avoiding my sketchbook altogether. Even showing up for you, my lovely loyal community, in my newsletters, blog, and social media feels like an uphill struggle. I don't have much to say!!

At first, I resisted it. I told myself I should push through, that I’d find my rhythm again. But the more I tried to force it, the clearer it became, this pause isn’t a failure, it’s a message and one which I should be listening to.

After two full years of building, creating, and giving, I’m feeling worn out. My creative well feels empty, and what I need most isn’t to bloom, I have done that already this year and have enjoyed the outward energy and creativity it brought.

I now need to shift that energy back inwards. And I have chosen some new words to guide me. Words for the seasons rather than for a whole year.

So for the months ahead, through the dark, quiet stretch of winter, my new words will be Restore and Replenish. I want to listen deeply to what my body, mind, and creativity are asking for. To rest without guilt. To fill myself up again, slowly and gently, in my own time.

I often write about the importance of slowing down and following the rhythm of the seasons, and it’s time I truly follow my own advice.

So, if things are feeling quieter here for a while, fewer newsletters, fewer blog posts, know that I’m not disappearing. I’m simply tending to my roots. Restoring. Replenishing.

Trusting that in time, something new will begin to grow.

If you would like to download my two free PDFs on seasonal creativity you can get them through these links:

Gentle Ways to Sustain your Creativity through Autumn and Winter

When Your Creative Mojo has Effed Off - 10 gentle ways to find your spark

Is anyone else feeling this way? That pull towards resting and replenishing versus the high octane run up to the end of year festivities? Drop me an email and let me know....