5 things 2023 taught me
or I taught myself in 2023
5th of January, 2024
Written by Brinas Studio founder Romana Brina
A photo of a fallen tree I took in summer
#1 Keeping track of my menstrual cycle and planning accordingly
As I’m entering the last stage of my menstrual cycle I’m reflecting on 2023. The last, so-called luteal, PMS stage is good for reflections—so I’ve learned. Somewhere in the middle of the year, I started to pay close attention to the stage I was in. After a few months, I began noticing some trends. To share just a few: I started seeing I need much more sleep in the PMS stage (10 hours being my optimal). I realized I’m way less introverted in the follicular and ovulation stages so I tried planning workshops then and always regretted when I didn’t or couldn’t. I tried (but failed more often than not) to rest on the first two days of my period. I surrendered to the fluctuations of my mood, and hormones and even started to appreciate it—joining the moon in its flow of waxing and waning.
#2 Believing in myself when no one is cheering is the hardest but also the most important
There are times when it’s easier to be creative and there are times when it’s freaking hard. It’s sweet when a launch of a new product happens, when you have an exhibition when you post something and get a lot of attention and praise for it. It’s easy when you have a good month financially and when lots of orders are coming in. Toward the end of the year, I’ve anchored the understanding of how important it is for us creatives to be our biggest cheerleaders in times when no one is around. When it seems everyone forgot about us, when the vibration lowers worldwide and people around are freaked out, scared, and contracted. To show up, create, and keep believing on those days or months makes all the difference.
No one can see my vision as well as I do. No one can feel my purpose as much as I do. No one can believe in me as much as I should.
A photo from the studio made by Neža Ternik, wearing Brinas Studio Flow kimono jacket
#3 I have the right (and!) the obligation to trust my gut feeling
Is something happening to me and is there for me to learn from it? Or is something or someone just not a good match to my energy and I need to walk away? Honestly, I’m still puzzled by this question so the learning—hopefully—continues in 2024, but what I do sense is that I need to listen to my gut feeling more closely and act accordingly. I’ve had a few situations this year when I sensed I should have canceled a project, but I listened to my rationale and ended up neither enjoying it nor making money. I did however have the courage to say no to some projects, to some situations, and to walk away from some relationships and that felt super freeing. Saying no is okay too!
#4 Going back to the basics - sleep, food, sports and meditation
It’s insane to keep doing the same thing expecting a different result, Einstein said. It’s insane to believe that we can eat crappy food, be sleep deprived, feed our minds with junk, and think we’ll feel inspired, full of energy and joy. This year I tested how much sleep I need by waking up for a month without an alarm clock. I was shocked. I need 9-10 hours of sleep to feel rested and wake up on my own full of energy. I embraced that and gave my body a solid 9 hours most of the nights. I started going to the gym, after months of (more or less) gentle push from my partner, and that changed a whole lot. I got a sense of how strong I am, which helped me psychologically and physically (especially during the production spike in November and December). I could drop many of the useless thoughts from the overcluttered mind much easier and I started enjoying that after-workout bliss again.
A picture my good friend Pija took on our hike at Pohorje
#5 Doing the best I can with what I have
This is a lesson I’ve learned watching and being inspired by my partner. His unbelievable devotion to his instrument, dedication to his daily routine, and his pure drive to live his purpose. You have to keep showing up every day with what you have, he says. Keep putting in the hours. Keep creating. Keep making steps no matter how small (or big) they are. And so I did, throughout the year. I don’t think I’m exaggerating if I say I’ve never been so devoted to anything in my life as I’ve been to Brinas Studio in the last year. If you like what I’m creating, where Brinas Studio is going and wish to support me you can do so by ordering something from my web shop. I’ve self-funded this project since the beginning so every order is very precious.
I’m dropping the need for perfection, ignoring the usual thoughts on who could do something better (and then procrastinating). I’m showing up with what I have and who I am at that moment.
I’m now thinking, this blog is a good example. Starting a blog and a newsletter has been in the back of my head for long. Today I took 2 hours (maybe 3) to write it. Is it perfect? No. Is it honest? Yes. Is it a step forward? For sure.
I wish you a year full of small brave steps <3
Take good care.
Romana Brina