Hello and welcome back to Beginnings where we talk about fresh starts, new cycles, exploration, experimentation and creativity! 

In this post, I am sharing my very first video log (vlog) where I talk about and share new art, pen sketches to be specific, my experience with new music and my thoughts on a video project which is already published on my YouTube Channel, which you can access here on my website. 

I decided to record some behind the scenes footage to share more of my thoughts and intentions with my creativity and with my content that I share here on my website. This is a new venture for me and I'd love to know what you think! 

I've been inspired by other artists who have vlogs and decided to try my hand at it; if you like it, please give it a thumbs up on YouTube and leave a comment below on your favorite part! I hope you are inspired in your own creativity; that is my aim and goal always. 

Thank you for watching and supporting my YouTube Channel and my presence online as a creator. 

That means a lot to me! 
And I wish you the Best of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings, where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Experimentation, Exploration and Creativity. For this post, I will be sharing about a “full house” declutter, and more specifically the jewelry pieces I chose to remove. If that interests you, then keep on reading. ☺️

First a little backstory. I have done major house Declutters several times over the past 5 or 6 years, referring to various Decluttering experts and their published books for reference and inspiration. And I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff as a result. 

This time around, I have been more recently inspired by a funny and practical person; I found her initially on YouTube and subscribed to her newsletter. I’m referring to Dana K White of A Slob Comes Clean. I love watching her videos where she features different areas of her house that she is decluttering with her tips and tricks and her unique decluttering process that she uses personally and teaches others how to do. 

One of the things I love about Dana is that she focuses on intuition as your guide, a way to trust yourself to know where to put things. I won’t get into the five step process she uses but I have followed at least 3 of her steps and it does help reduce the overwhelm when it comes time to declutter. 

I’ve been through all visible spaces, bathroom and living room cabinets, as well as a full wardrobe and jewelry declutter (and I'm still taking stuff out!). I still haven’t finished my whole space (more kitchen to do) and really, you never do. It’s an ongoing process to keep up the reduction of clutter over time. But I’m pleased with what I have accomplished; and it motivates me to keep it up. 

I think it helps to start with a visible space that doesn’t take up a lot of room. That’s where I started. At my dining room table. Yes, I have several items I keep there and I completely decluttered and revamped what remains and how I store it. 

It also helps to “shop” in your own home for storage solutions once you remove what doesn’t need to be there. I found myself exchanging containers from one place to another, and it worked out nicely. One basket was on the table; I moved it to use it in a drawer instead. I also moved a black mesh office organizer from that drawer and chose it for the dining room space and it’s perfect. One clear plastic dish was in that same drawer and I moved it to the kitchen to hold items in one place. Yes, it’s helpful when you don’t have to buy anything! 

That leads me to decluttering my Jewelry Collection. It was an interesting experience for me to go through it. I’m big on jewelry and hang on to things longer than I should in some cases, so it was time. Using Dana’s process, I removed what was worn or broken, some stuff I just don’t wear, and made some space for new pieces. I have found right away that since I decluttered my jewelry, I’m now wearing pieces that I wasn’t wearing before, and I’m happy about that. There is less to choose from so it simplifies decision making when pulling a look together from my wardrobe. 

I shared the various pieces I let go of and put a video together (see above) to share what I removed so you can learn about my thoughts in the process. I hope it inspires you to do some decluttering too! 

It feels good to let things go that are no longer needed, that are worn out, or simply what I’ve outgrown; it helps me recognize how I’ve changed and what I still love and why. In a way it’s like shedding an old skin and fully embracing the “new” me. It’s a Fresh Start. Like a New Cycle of what belongs to me and why I choose to keep it in my space. I will keep an eye on what I could let go of in the future, being mindful of how my belongings make me feel. Because I do trust myself and will know when it’s time. And that’s a good feeling! 

Journaling Prompt: 
What do you feel Iike you need to “shed” right now? What items in your wardrobe are you hanging onto that no longer suit your style? Do you have collections that have been piling up and need paring down? Record your thoughts on decluttering and brainstorm where you would like to start. Keep it simple and easy and reward yourself for any progress you make. 

​I wish you the BEST of Beginnings! 

Welcome back to Beginnings, where we talk about Fresh Starts, New Cycles, Exploration, Experimentation and Creativity! I’m so glad you’re here and have an interest in what I share here at Refresh with Dawn Herring: Where Beginnings are Celebrated! It’s so much fun to celebrate together, isn’t it? 

For this post, I will be sharing my thoughts and creative process for the Illustration, To Begin Anew which you can see in the above image. In addition, above you will find the actual demo video you can watch if you would like a peek into the actual making of the illustration. (In it I include an explanation of what I’m doing, plus background music, a piano rendition of my spiritual song,  My Way Home.) 

I had so much fun thinking about the concept for this illustration. 
First was the element of Celebration, thus I determined the figure would have her hands raised in joy and happiness at Beginning Anew! Her eyes are raised in gratitude and anticipation for the inspiration she is ready to receive as she Begins Anew. 

Second was the element of New Growth, thus I chose the motif of leaves, vibrant in color, which continues the motif chosen for my Beginnings Illustration which you can view here. I loved including varying hues of green which represent newness, growth, vibrancy and life! 

Thirdly, there is the element of Trust; that To Begin Anew requires faith, not only in receiving what is necessary to make something happen, but faith in ourselves, that we have what it takes to bring it to pass. It’s believing in our skill set, in our intuitive knowing, in the magic that is within us to create! That is certainly worth celebrating! Yes! 

And lastly, there is the element of the Heart (thus the heart motif), where what we believe and see and desire to do comes from our hearts, and there is a pureness in our desire as creators in this life to make what only we can make. We love what we do and we want to share it with others so they can benefit as well. I think that’s such an important aspect in creating. There is a time for creating just for ourselves, but there can also be an aspect of joy when we share with others and they respond in a way that delights us. Community can be so important, especially when we might need a little boost in confidence when we’re in the muddy middle! 

I had so much fun creating this illustration, To Begin Anew, and I am glad to share it with you. My intuition is often my guide when it comes to the design elements I choose, the color schemes, as well as the energy with which I create that I bring to the table. 

Thanks so much for your interest in my art; it is a delight for me to share it with you, my friend! 

A Journaling prompt for you: 
What are you celebrating today? What do you want to celebrate but haven’t yet? Remember, even the smallest of things you accomplish are worth celebrating. Write a list of ways you can celebrate just with yourself as well as with others who support you and get your vibe! 
Where are you experiencing New growth? Are you excited about what you are experiencing? What is the dominant emotion and why do you feel this way? Detail it in your journal. List off ways you can encourage further growth from where you are right now. Do you Trust yourself to follow through on this new growth? What is your intuition telling you to do next? Your desires matter; give them space to get seeded and grow! 
I celebrate with you! 

And I wish you the very Best of Beginnings!