Oh December. This month has been full of ups and downs. But with the reflection that this time of the year brings, I’m looking back on everything and surprisingly am feeling good.

For the last couple of years, I’ve found the holiday season difficult to cope with. But this year, I refreshingly felt so much lighter. In the spirit of Christmas, I even decorated my apartment with Fir tree and eucalyptus branches! I haven’t decorated since 2014 so this was a big deal! After a lot of ‘doing the work’ with regards to my mental health, I think the brutality of this year has helped shift my perspective to recognize how fortunate I am and to be grateful for the people I have around me - family, friends, colleagues, clients. The love and support I’ve received has made getting through this year easier.

I also want to acknowledge and share some of the online communities that made this year better:

Everybody Los Angeles - I’m so grateful for Everybody moving their classes online. Getting to practice with my familiar teachers helped to keep me grounded and fit. It’s been fun trying new classes and ‘meeting’ new teachers too! Their yoga, barre and Pilates classes are my favourite.

The Minimalists - helped me to continue to question what is essential and my intentionality. This pandemic could have sent me spiraling if I didn’t have a grasp on understanding this. I could have also found myself in a really bad place financially if I didn’t already have an emergency savings fund in place or knew how to budget. I am so grateful to The Minimalists for turning me onto Dave Ramsey’s work and for my past-self for paying attention. When it became apparent that I would have to stop working, I felt reassured because of the strong financial foundations I already had set in place. This pandemic proved just how important this shit is. I’m so glad 2020 didn’t happen when ‘old rachel’ was in charge, because that could have been a disaster... I’m sharing this in case it’s helpful to anyone else who was also never taught things about money.... check out Dave Ramsey’s website.

In terms of work, tattoo studios have been shut down again due to a new Stay At Home order. But right before this lockdown was put in place, I had a ‘PINCH ME!!!’ moment when I tattooed the coolest and incredibly talented, Zana Bayne ♥️ I’d been a fan of her work for years, so it was pretty surreal. I also did my 1000th tattoo this month. I have kept the stencil for every tattoo I’ve ever done - I number it, date it, and tape it neatly into a big book! Such a milestone moment to recognize how far I’ve come and see how my work has progressed over the years. Maybe I’ll share bits of this book one day...

Another feel good moment came with the amount of ceramics I sold! Thank you to everyone who supported my work! As an ongoing pledge to leverage my privilege, I donated 10% of my ceramics sales to @womenscenterforcreativework and it felt really nice : )

Here’s some photos from the last month:

Happy to find time to be at the pottery studio, Cypress Park.

Custom snake for Zana Bayne, Sang Bleu Los Angeles.

Never ceases to delight me. Cypress Park, Los Angeles.

At Kate’s socially distanced birthday gathering, Silverlake Meadow.

Having a bath before they get shipped to their new homes!

Reunited with Dominic ♥️ Topanga Canyon. Photo by @rubymayquilter

Last day of 2020. Switzer Falls Trail. Photo by @rubymayquilter

DECEMBER 2020