Pilgrimage to a New Year

Time to use your imagination

Welp. Here we are at the very end of the dead zone between Christmas and New Year’s. We’re all looking back at 2023, and looking ahead at 2024, imagining what it will look like. The word “resolutions” is at the forefront of all our minds. How are we going to improve ourselves next year? Because we need to BE BETTER!

But I think resolutions are not the best way to work with those imaginings. Just take a quick glance at these definitions from the OED:

Do you see what I see (and highlighted so you couldn’t miss)? Firm, formal, determined, problem, contentious… this is what we’re using as our roadmap into a new year? Making resolutions, essentially, is saying to yourself “You seriously screwed up 2023. You need to do better in 2024.” Which is why resolutions tend to be broad and vague, and are usually related to something you don’t like about yourself, and/or something you’ve failed at in the past.

If you hang out on Instagram with me, you may know that I’ve spent a lot of time with “Portals” this year. In addition to painting and building them, I’ve done a lot of thinking about what they mean, and I think I’m finally beginning to wrap my arms around it. I believe the magic of a “magic portal” is more than just where it takes you. I believe the magic is in imagining where it will take you. The quiet tension before the first step forward, the breath held during the leap. What do you hope will happen when you walk through the portal?

What would you like to leave behind? What would you like to manifest? My work with portals explores the magic of those moments of possibility before you walk through the portal, before change becomes reality.

Because that’s exactly what happens. Today is New Year’s Eve. We’ll spend the day in front of a magic portal: the gateway between 2023 and 2024. Right now, we have no idea what 2024 will bring. But once the calendar flips to January 1, it will actually be 2024 and we’ll be back to reality. No more making resolutions; instead it’s time to start STICKING TO THOSE RESOLUTIONS. Right there on day one. Did you resolve to exercise more? Today’s the day to start. Don’t feel like exercising today because you had too much fun last night? Congratulations! You’ve already failed! The magic of the New Year’s Eve Portal has now become real life and no longer feels magical.

I’d like to propose another way to look at this transition. Instead of criticizing your 2023 self, spend today (and tomorrow) imagining things that might happen in the new year. Will you meet someone who impacts your life? Will you try something you’ve never tried before? Will you go somewhere you’ve never been? Will you turn your focus to something new? Will you double down on something you like? Will you take steps toward a change you’ve wanted? In this liminal space, ANYTHING is possible.

Happy new year, friends. Use your powers for good today (and tomorrow) and imagine the possibilities. Let your mind wander. Skew it positive. Dream big. Be an optimist. On Tuesday you can go back to being a realist.