New Beginnings: Living with Intention and Welcoming Storybook Charm in 2025
New year finally arrived! 2025 was greeted with the anticipation of goodness and hopes that are hidden in its cheering numbers. I am licking the last sugar from my lips after gorging on the beautiful fresh strawberries dusted with sugary “frost” and writing this post, basking in the warmth and inspiration of the fresh start of the year and thinking of my storybook life.
Not sure about you but my 2024 was not the best. It was a year of a burnt out, stagnation, living not by my truth, trying to be someone I was not with the logical burnout as a result. But it also was a year of good lessons, thoughtful decisions, beautiful travels and some clarity about the changes I need to bring into my life. One of those was to bring more intention and purpose into my days driven by the desire to be more active but stay true to myself on my creative journey.
I have always loved the timeless illustrations of old fashioned books, but was recommended by the “knowledgeable” mentor to explore the trends and learn new styles. I tried and even succeeded in some of it but inability to draw what I want, slowly was poisoning my perception of my abilities as an illustrator.
That is why when I worked on the goal setting reflecting more intentional living I immediately felt better. The intention of creating good quality art, free of the hassle of commercial fast book production, brought the idea of completely changing my illustrator portfolio and work on the pieces I listed in my diary (carefully describing what should be there guided by my imagination, classical children's books and criteria of a good publisher). However, first I decided to improve my illustrating skills by copying ten beautiful illustrations I always admired for the sake of exploring the techniques and analyzing the structure before I move to my own projects.
I listed a few personal as well as creative goals too. For example I almost forgot the freedom of movement the running used to give me. Somehow I decided I am a bit too … grown up to run 🙂 But for the last two weeks I explored the forest tracks, walking 8 km every day and started slowly getting back to running which filled me with immense joy! The forest gives me the ideas for stories and generously supports the nurturing of my sense of wonder. Surprisingly, it started filling me with energy too, although the first few days I could only sleep after returning home from my forest and hill endeavors.
Living with intention can truly make life feel wonderful, even in the smallest moments. I’ve found that adding creative practices, mindful activities, and little nurturing rituals into my days brings a sense of calm and clarity. It doesn’t have to be complicated—start small.
Try journaling while sipping your morning tea, sketching the view from your window, or simply pausing to breathe deeply, noticing the smells and letting your thoughts settle. These tiny travels to true self can transform even the busiest of days into something that feels more grounded and meaningful.
I’ve also discovered how much joy comes from creative practices like drawing, crafting, or writing. It’s not about achieving perfection but about exploring and connecting to yourself in ways that feel comforting to you. Mindful rituals like lighting a candle, savoring a good meal, or walking through nature also have a way of slowing time, helping to notice the beauty of the day.
I don't think that living with intention is about ticking boxes or doing it all perfectly — it’s about listening to your inner whisper about what nourishes you.
Just setting aside time to read a book that inspires you before bed is a true form of self care and a way to fill the cup. These little choices matter, and they have a way of adding up to a life that feels richer, more joyful, and uniquely yours.
For me, intentional living is about finding those little moments that connect me to what really matters - family, creativity, my values or simply slowing down to enjoy life. That is why I love the storybook living approach that feeds my sense of wonder and inspiration and helps me to notice these beautifully special moments that make the days worthy of living. And it is very far from making life a perfection - it is all about creating the space for the things that bring us joy.
If you are looking for the things to bring a storybook charm into your life - I created a free guide to help you to add that charming touch to the often overlooked everyday moments. This guide is one small way to begin and I am very excited to share it with you.
As we begin the new year, I ‘d love to know what your intentions are. What small changes or big dreams are you bringing into your 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below - I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a creative year,
Yulia
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