June 2024 Review-A Month of Reflection
I got news at the beginning of the month, that my boyfriend’s parents were moving a few hours away. As a hoarder of camping gear, sentimental items and art supplies, I had a lot of stuff to get out of their basement. I didn’t realize how much I had until I was forced to move it. I had to make room for as much as I could in my tiny apartment. I only had 2 weeks or so with my work schedule and their moving schedule to figure it out. After moving everything out, I had to prioritize what was important, and get rid of the rest.
I found old sketchbooks, family photos, binders from past business ventures, and lots of house stuff that I was saving “just in case”. I didn’t want to get rid of my unicorn flannel sheets, but I needed to. Some of these things made me happy, and other made me sad. Going through old journals and finding gifts and photos from former friends was a little gut wrenching. But all of this needed to be dealt with, so I dealt with it.
After all of the physical moving was done, I realized that this was the first time in 20 years I had all of my belongings in one place. No boxes in my parents house, no boxes in storage, and no boxes in my boyfriend’s parents basement. I’ve been reading about decluttering, downsizing, and simple living for a while, and now is my chance (even though I was forced to) to fully put it into practice. I realized that the things that were most valuable to me were items that help me maintain my mental health and fuel my creativity. Less really is more, and I hate that it took me 20 years to realize it. I’m finally creating the home I’ve always wanted without all the noise. It lead me to go through everything I had, and clear out as much as I could. Making the art I want and letting go of all of the extra hobbies that I tried to turn into a business for the sake of income. It feels really good to release these past expectations I had for myself.
In the middle of decluttering my whole life, I hit my first year sober. It was a huge milestone for me since I started drinking when I was in high school. Feeling everything emotion while you go through all of your belongings was a lesson in how I deal with uncomfortable situations.
A few days later, I went to the beach to reset with my mom and my grandmother. I was grateful to have a few days to reflect on what I wanted my next steps to be and how I want to fulfill my future. I didn’t expect to feel this much from getting rid of my stuff. but the universe is trying to tell me something, so I’m listening. I spent the rest of the month sorting projects and giving things away cleaning off my porch and organizing my plants. I still have a little bit to go (anyone need mason jars?), but the majority is done and I’m ready to move forward.
Here are some photos from my month of reflection, some fun stuff I found, graphic novels I read, some stickers I made and my reflection time at the beach. I’ve been on a classic horror kick lately, so that’s where my art will currently be leaning towards. Enjoy!
Topsail Beach, North Carolina
Dr Terror’s House of Horrors, 1965
Old sketchbook page I’m turning into a full drawing, 2021
Some new stickers I made this month listed in the shop!
Look at that hand drawn Ramones tape cover, 1999
Spread from Junji Ito’s “Smashed”, 2019
Welcome to my Journey!
Hello and thank you for joining me! My name is Melissa and I’m an independent, mostly self taught Illustrator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. I love traveling, spending time in nature, horror movies and graphic novels, and experimenting with different arti mediums and techniques. I use art as a way to work through tough feelings, hard situations, conflict, and indecisiveness, I love combining textures with color, linework and emotions. I’ll be sharing art processes for full series of artwork, art therapy projects, inspiration, how art helps my sobriety journey, and sketchbook entries. If any of this interests you! Send me a message through the contact form, and I’ll put you on my mailing list for my newsletter that will be starting in June!The newletter will feature future blog posts, shop updates, and any events I’ll be working in person!