8 Ways to Feel Grateful This New Year

Plus some new animals soon to join the Elouise Makes collection!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a magical Christmas and a joyful New Year, bringing in 2023 in a way that means the most to you, whether that’s surrounded by merrymakers; in a small, select group of loved ones; or by yourself, quietly seeing out the old and calling in the new.

My festive season was a time of much needed rest and recuperation after the incredibly busy run up to Christmas that many small businesses and makers will have. I was doing so much with making and packing your orders, appearing at craft fairs, as well as all the admin that goes with running your own business – I was very grateful to finally be able to sit down with a Bailey’s in one hand and a mince pie in the other! I spent time with my wonderful family, caught up with friends and ate my bodyweight in Christmas chocs. Perfect!

If, like me, your thoughts are now turning to the year ahead, I’d like to share my gratitude practice. Every new year I write a list of things to be grateful for – this could be people, events or objects (although I find that it’s usually the people in my life I’m most grateful for). This helps me to feel great about the year that has passed, and optimistic about the year to come.

In 2022 I was grateful for…

…Oh so many things! One constant that has kept me grounded and connected to community throughout the year has been the Cacao ceremonies I attend, held by Holly of Sacred Space Healing. These ceremonies, aligning with the new moon every month, are such a beautiful way of coming back to myself each month.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the wonderful reception that I received at the craft fairs I went to with my little silver menagerie. I met so many lovely people, both members of the public and other artists and makers. There was such a feeling of community among the stallholders, everyone waving and chatting as we arrived each day, watching our neighbours’ stalls as they popped out to get a much needed coffee, and admiring everyone’s beautiful wares.

I got to chat to the lovely Claire, who stopped by as she browsed the stalls. Claire is new to Nottingham so we spoke about building community – she was a wonderful oasis in my busy day! I felt so happy when I saw that she had shared some gorgeous words on Instagram, saying that I radiated joy. Such an uplifting thing to read about yourself, it made me smile all day!

Claire’s Insta photo of my stall

collab with @speckledgrey – Elle Maxwell

Claire bought a pair of earrings which were not my usual silver creature friends, which brings me onto the next thing I’m feeling grateful for: collaborating with loved ones. Anya, Elle and I were best friends in uni, Elle and I are both in the UK but Anya has been living in Tokyo for the past couple of years, working as an Art Teacher in an international secondary school. It was her 30th birthday recently and Elle and I wanted to do something really special, so we put our talents together (Elle’s ceramics and my jewellery) to create some unique earrings that we hope Anya will love. They’re probably stuck in the post at the moment but we can’t wait for Anya to open them!

They were made from Elle’s recycled ceramic slip and from and my scrap silver wire, left over from my other work – a zero waste gift that came from our hearts. We made a small run to figure out which of the designs we thought Anya would like the most – and the ones that didn’t end up in Anya’s hands made their way onto my stall. (I also made a cheeky pair of blue and gold ones for myself!)

It has been so special to be able to create something with, and for some of my closest friends.

Why practise gratitude?

Gratitude – the practise of regularly acknowledging the good in life – has been shown to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, increase your feelings of optimism and make you feel better in almost every area of your life, both physical and mental! We all need a little boost sometimes, and this is an easy (and free!) way to get it.

Whether you keep a gratitude journal and write down 3 things each day that you feel grateful for, or you simply make a habit of reflecting at the end of each day, gratitude really does have the ability to turn even a difficult day into something that doesn’t seem quite so bad. And if you do write them down, you get to look back over your days and relive the sunshine.

Here are 8 things you might feel grateful for in 2023.

1. I am grateful for: family

Whether they’re your biological family or your chosen family, family by blood, marriage or just the people you feel closest to, family is what keeps us going, supports us, always has our back. Whether you have a huge extended family of grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins, a blended family that’s come together, a group of close friends, or it’s just the two of you – your family is special. If you’re feeling particularly grateful for yours, why not let them know?

(By the way, pets totally count as family to feel grateful for!)

2. I am grateful for: health

You don’t have to be in perfect health to feel grateful. Whether you’re an able bodied person or not, you experience chronic health difficulties, or just aren’t at the top of your physical game right now, there is always something to feel grateful for. Look for progress and notice the small things.

3. I am grateful for: home

You don’t need to live in a mansion to feel grateful for your home. Having a place to come back to each day, of safety and security, a place where you can rest, is so important, whatever it looks like. Notice what you love about your home, floordrobe and all, and you might even find you stop noticing the bits you don’t love so much (like the questionable paint choices of the former residents that you haven’t got round to redecorating yet…)

4. I am grateful for: pets

Yes, I know I mentioned them in the family section but pets are too special to only talk about once! From mice to horses, stick insects to emus, our animal friends make us so happy, just by being there! Stroking a pet has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, and even watching fish swim in their tank can lower your blood pressure and improve your physical health!

If you can’t have a pet of your own, why not offer to pet sit for your friends, walk a neighbours’ dog or just take 5 minutes to stroke next door’s cat – it all makes a difference.

5. I am grateful for: time to rest

Whether you’re a small business owner like me, a busy parent, or you have a full on job, it’s all too easy to get swept up in DOING. Taking time to rest, even if it’s only 5 minutes here and there, is so important and I am always so grateful when I manage to do it.

I hope you got some rest over the festive week, and that 2023 holds the promise of relaxation and balance for us all.

6. I am grateful for: the kindness of strangers

Whether it’s meeting a lovely person like Claire whose words fill you with joy, being offered a seat on a bus, or just receiving a beautiful smile as you pass on the street, kindnesses big and small give us a huge boost. When kindness comes from a stranger, someone who has no reason to be kind other than the goodness of their heart, it can feel really special.

Being kind – telling your colleague their outfit looks incredible, taking your neighbour’s parcels in or letting someone pull out in front of you in the supermarket car park – is a great way to send that happiness out into the world.

7. I am grateful for: adversity

OK, I’m not exactly welcoming hard times and hoping for more, but each difficult event has taught me something. It might not feel like it at the time but hard things, and the way we get through them, are often the things that help us grow the most, and for that, I am grateful!

8. I am grateful for: creativity

It’s what my business is built on but more than that, creativity is what keeps me going, gets me up in the morning buzzing with excitement and feeds my soul. My ideas don’t always come to fruition but that’s not the point – just feeling my creative juices flowing is often as important as seeing a project come together.

It’s easy to think that creativity is something that only professional artists and makers have, but it’s in us all. Whether you love cooking a new recipe, sketching, playing an instrument or putting together a stunningly stylish outfit – it’s all creative and it all helps to make you, you!

Introducing the newest animals soon to join my collection

I’m so excited to be introducing you to some new animals in 2023! For the first time ever you will find a beautiful bat, an adorable owl and a cute little hedgehog in the Elouise Makes menagerie. I can’t show you any pictures yet because it’s all TOP SECRET but watch this space – they can’t wait to meet you either!

I get asked for different animals all the time and often make one offs for my special commissions but there are some animals that are requested over and over again.

When Charlotte got in touch to commission six different animals as bridesmaid’s gifts (they’re all getting their favourite animal on a necklace, so thoughtful!) it was the perfect opportunity to add some new friends to the collection.

Owls, bats and hedgehogs are some of our faves too, so thanks to Charlotte’s bridesmaids, and all of your patient requests, in 2023 you’ll be able to keep your nocturnal, feathered and spiky friends close by forever.

Want to be the first to know when these friends are available? Sign up to my newsletter – you’ll even get a code for 10% off!

Want something special in 2023?

I love your special commissions – creating something totally unique that means something to your or your loved ones fills my heart with joy and gratitude. If you’ve got something in mind, let me know…

Get in touch

Love,

Thanks for reading…

Here’s a few things you might like to check out:

My ethical policy—This tells you everything you need to know about how I make my jewellery, my packaging, what makes me different in the jewellery industry and my overall ethos

About me—Hi! It’s nice to meet you. Find out about me, Rosie, and how and why I started Elouise Makes

Shop the collection—Looking for something specific, or just want to browse? You’ll find it all here

Caring for your silver jewellery—Learn how to keep your animal friends looking their best

My shipping policy—OK, this isn’t exactly the most exciting reading material, but if you order from me you need to feel secure that your piece will make its way to you safely!

Find me on Instagram—Follow me on Insta for lush pictures of my recycled silver animal jewellery, and fun tidbits about the creatures I create

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