More!

Since I'm terrible at drawing, I joined a drawing challenge called 30 Days of Drawing with DrawTogether. The first exercise was to draw a More/Less list, an idea created by an illustrator Julia Rothman.

The goal is simple: envision what you want in your life. Julia Rothman suggests creating different lists for various areas of life, such as work, free time, etc.—whatever you find useful. I drew a general list, which not only brought me joy but also led to some surprising insights.

I don't know about you but in my opinion, when it comes to easing the constant noise in one’s mind, nothing compares to capturing thoughts on paper. I can write even the most ridiculous idea down, and the very act of doing so calms me. It’s as if the piece of paper possesses the reassuring power of a caring guardian, telling my brain: I'm taking care of it—go and play now.

Reflecting on the concept of “More/Less,” I noticed an interesting pattern when writing my list of 100 things that made my year. The list revealed subtle clues about my mood shifts, often well before I consciously recognized them. For instance, when things go awry, I tend to disconnect and ignore my wall calendar. I also stop journaling—in 2024, I only filled one and a half notebooks, compared to the 4–6 notebooks I used in previous years.

I don’t have a profound epiphany to share, but I wonder: what if paying attention to what nourishes us and what drains us is the key? Recognizing what we want more and less of might not just give us a great year—but, ultimately, a great life?

And now, it's your turn: take a moment today. Make your own More/Less list. Who knows? You might just stumble upon something that makes your 2025 clearer, more connected and more joyful.

Thank you for reading!

Wiktoria

PS. Here's a beautiful interpretation of Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54. When you listen carefully, you can hear the melody of Bésame Mucho (yes, the song!).