I found myself at a crossroads, a moment that many of us encounter in life. I had just lost my cherished corporate dream job, and within a week's time, I made the audacious decision to uproot my family and move to the Midwest. The future looked hazy, and anxiety clung to my every thought. As if life hadn't thrown me enough curveballs, menopause swept in, bringing sleepless nights, unwelcome weight gain, and a relentless sense of unease. Thank you, Mother Nature!
Nights turned into a whirlwind of nervous energy, my husband endearingly referring to it as my "squirrel brain." I was getting things done, feeling productive and hopeful during the day, but still, I couldn't escape the racing thoughts and anxiety that crept in when I finally sat still. Was I insane to give up my life in New Jersey? What about my friends left behind? What would my new career look like? Would my husband and son hate this new chapter in our lives?
In the midst of packing up my old house, there was one constant: a mandala painting I had created. I decided to take it with me on the road to our new home in Omaha. Every day, I would gaze at it and tell myself, "Get through today's goals, and tomorrow's goals will follow."
After finally landing in Nebraska, I was both exhausted and terrified. I had no clue what kind of work I wanted to pursue. Would it be the same corporate path, or something entirely different? The absence of a clear direction only added to my anxiety. After weeks of unpacking and ensuring my son's smooth transition to his new school, it was time to sort things out.
Recollections of a similar crossroads I faced in my 20s surfaced. Back then, when I was lost and unsure of which path to take, I had purchased "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron based on a friend's recommendation. The book had been a game-changer for me in my 20s, helping me see that I was investing too much energy in chaotic people who were holding me back from getting my life in order. As I followed the book and committed to its journaling exercises, I found myself looking back at those journals twenty-plus years later and realized that the goals I had set in my 20s had all come true. I had found my husband, bought my historic home, built a successful career, traveled to all the places I had listed out, and nurtured healthy friendships. Could the same book, which had guided me in my youth, help me find my way through another crossroads years later?
With my husband still in New Jersey, I began waking up a few hours before my son and reading a chapter a week from "The Artist's Way." I diligently practiced morning pages, took solace in my mandala in my office, and opened myself up to the possibilities of what I could want. I made sure to stay hydrated, took a hot yoga class everyday and drank a shot of my personal recipe for Fire Cider.
Week after week, my morning pages revealed recurring themes, and slowly, after several weeks of self-care and introspection, I discovered what I truly wanted. A familiar aspiration kept surfacing: I wanted to create calm in people's lives, to help them find safety and comfort. My love for organization, a key reason I had become a creative director in the first place, was rekindled. Once again, "The Artist's Way" worked its magic, providing the focus I needed to realize that I wanted to start my own business, be my own boss, and incorporate my art into my daily life.
Two months later, I launched gatheredearthcreative.com, offering earth-inspired products. I started freelancing as a designer and stylist, reveling in the diversity of each day. I finally have the time to work out daily, pick up my son from school, and share dinner together every evening. Back in June, I could have never imagined that my life would take such a positive turn for the better. It took life's unexpected punch to the face to make me realize change was what I needed.
I share this story with the hope that you, too, will pick up "The Artist's Way" and give it a chance. Please, don't let the title mislead you; it's more than a book for artists. It's a guide to manifesting your desires, whether you consider yourself an artist or not.
If you're seeking clarity, purpose, and the means to manifest the life you desire, "The Artist's Way" is your guiding light. It will lead you toward a future where you can be your true self and transform your dreams into reality. So if you read through this blog please know I only recommend products that I actually own and use and feel passionately about. Well, some of the links you click on are what's known as “affiliate links”. So if you do buy something, I'll probably earn a few bucks. Here are the links for more info. More details on the book you are purchasing. More details on Mandala print to purchase.
Peace and love,
Justine DePalma