It’s not so much a bucket list, as a way of life

We’ve thought long and hard about what shapes our happiness, and how to spread our crazy cheer like wildfire. It can be hard to stay positive in the dreary winter days without a little homemade fun! So, we surround ourselves with wholesome things: good smells, decorative lights, trinkets from friends—anything that evokes a chill vibe. And we invite others to our creative lairs to make silly costumes, play funky music, bake family recipes, and explore a variety of crafts. After all, we want a positive environment that reinforces our best aspects, while drawing out our collaborative abilities!

So, this year, we’re focused on creating experiences which elicit our personal best, and spreading our handmade joy! We’re not living up to others standards or expectations, but rather, exploring our values and fostering an appreciation for everyone’s diverse contributions to the community.

Here’s 2 characters who remind me daily to cheer the fuck up, and keep on the pursuit:

We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams! We have to make each moment a memorable experience, worthy of sharing—and it starts by uplifting ourselves and encouraging each other. We can make the everyday subtleties magical! But we have to find fun in every moment, and if it doesn’t exist—create it!

I keep a handwritten ‘Happy New Year’ note from my grandmother next to my work station, so I can wander what our ancestors might have in common based on our writing similarities. It’s a small, uplifting memory and reminder that my family persevered, and I can, too!

Little things can influence our entire outlook. So, what have you vowed to improve this year? Have you been keeping those Christmas lights on, and that hot cocoa handy? Have you been sharing it with others?? Staying positive is hard work, and we gotta do what we can to help each other maintain! Let’s spread happiness and handmade joy all season!

—Bethany