Dear Letter Drop readers,
Happy New Year! I hope you all have a wonderful new year with endless joy! I always feel a little sad at the end of the year as I reflect on the year so deeply. But despite all the strange emotions… 2023 was great! Many downs but many ups as well!
Reflecting on my personal life and work feels like a privilege, while many people had to live through this year far from their ordinary lives. I wish for a peaceful and safe world this year, and I sincerely hope that’s not too impossible.
Starting December 30th to the first week of January, I take time to read through my diary. I’ve had this ritual since 2003, except for the times between 2019 and 2021 (a chaotic time of my life), and still continuing! Keeping a diary is so important to me as much as eating well and working out. It gives me time for myself, to reflect on thoughts, vent, and comfort myself.
When I need answers or advice, often it’s better to write in a diary than to talk to someone else. Sometimes, I realize that my fear has made me hesitate about making decisions, even when I have answers in my mind. Writing in a diary helps me face it—it’s like having a conversation with myself.
Reading through what I wrote in 2023, I was surprised to find out that I actually did a lot more than I thought. Towards the end of the year, you forget what you’ve done or what you’ve set as a goal in January. Then I realized that I had achieved my goals and had ventured into many new things.
My goals for 2023, and proud achievements 🌻
Attend the SCBWI Conference in New York
Attend MoCCA Fest
Sign with a new literary agent
Keep a career focus on picture books
Start writing my own story
Meet new people, make friends
Trying new things, learning new skills, traveling!
Started Substack!
Started an online shop
Hand building pottery
Wheel throwing
Gouache
Tennis
Swimming, snorkeling, hiking
Trip to Korea, Japan, California, Hawaii
Other personal achievements
Worked out regularly throughout the year
Kept a good relationship with family & close friends
Kept a respectful relationship with my partner
Found ways to handle emotional spiral and find peace
Practice showing appreciation / talking and listening with respect
Honestly, this is more than enough for me. 2023 has brought me more than I expected, and I feel grateful. By the end of the year, I got a little exhausted from all the travels and end-of-year gatherings and started to feel anxious about not working. But in fact, I’m happy that I’ve done all this, taken tough challenges, stepped out of my comfort zone, and grown up a bit more! I guess this is another good reason to keep a diary. It’s a way to remind myself about how much I’ve tried.
Of course, there had been upsetting moments when I felt confused and discouraged. But I think those will be my assignments for next year to sort out and overcome. I want to use this upcoming year to understand the lessons hidden in my hardships, so I can solve my problems and move forward
My goals for 2024
Financial stability
Visa renewal / apply for the green card
Write more and read more
Be more productive
More book projects
More time for myself
Focus on quality, aim for the best
I guess I did too many things outside my studio (which was awesome!) and now I feel like it’s the perfect time for me to enjoy the solitude and produce more work. I’m endlessly thankful for all the new input I got as an artist last year, and I’m excited to see what I could create with all those valuable experiences.
Are you all set for the new year? I hope everyone had a great start to the new year! I wish my best for your happiness and success. Thank you for subscribing to Letter Drop, and I can’t wait to share more with you all this 2024.
Sincerely,
Cindy