Every year on January 1st, Klee and I go through this weird, collective limbo. It’s like we wake up and suddenly forget how to be human. We just meander around the house, staring at walls, wondering if anything we’re doing actually matters or if we should be, I don’t know, learning to farm alpacas or something.
I think we get so geared up for “The New Year” and all those shiny opportunities that when we actually arrive, we just stand there like, “Now what?”
Luckily, the “what” usually involves a massive amount of brain-vomit.
To get our bearings back, we sit down and do a total brain dump. Every idea, every project we’re already doing, and every “maybe one day” dream gets written down until it’s tangible. Then, we spend about ten minutes feeling completely overwhelmed by how long the list is before we start the glorious process of cutting things out.
We only keep the stuff that actually makes us feel excited.
A lot of people set financial goals in the beginning of the year, we set FEELING goals. I think setting strictly financial goals for the year is kind of silly. Sure, you can say you want to make $X amount, but if you aren’t having fun and you’re bored out of your mind, it’s not sustainable. You’ll quit by March. We gravitate toward what gets us fired up. If the excitement is there, the work happens, and the money usually follows the work. At least, that’s what we believe.
Once the list is pruned, we tackle the physical disaster area. Everyone knows that when you’re in the middle of a project, the studio (and the house) looks like a creative tornado hit it. Cleaning up the clutter isn’t just about finding the floor again; it’s about making space for new opportunities. You can’t look forward if you’re tripping over a half-baked project from last July.
But the biggest thing we do is a “Superman Check.”
It’s easy to plan for the future and pretend you’re a superhero who doesn’t need sleep. But are you giving yourself breaks? Are you giving yourself time to actually enjoy the journey? Are you giving yourself time to just… think?
Here are a few other things we’ve added to the ritual to keep us from burning out:
- The “Let It Die” List: This is the opposite of a to-do list. We identify the projects or habits that are draining us and officially give ourselves permission to kill them off. If it doesn’t serve the soul, it’s gotta go.
- The Energy Audit: Instead of a schedule, we look at our energy. When are we most creative? When are we most “introvert-fried”? We try to build our days around how we actually function, not some corporate 9-to-5 dream.
- Small Wins First: We pick one tiny, easy thing to finish in the first week. It breaks the “limbo” spell and reminds us that we actually know how to get stuff done.
Our New Year ritual might sound a bit touchy-feely. It’s all about emotions and how we feel. But let’s be honest: your feelings are the driving force of your business. If you don’t care for them, you’re going to burn out, and a burned-out artist doesn’t make much art.
So, here’s to being awkward, clearing the clutter, and only doing the stuff that makes us feel alive.
Stay brave, stay weird, and let’s make some cool stuff this year.
Rafi
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Hello Rafi&Klee!
Amazingly surprised!
I have being following you guys for the past 3 or 4 or maybe 5 years since you lived in Florida.
Your times at the Fleamarkets, your first meeting with Klee, your preoccupation for success, the selling of your art, your dad’s comment, your trip to the North, your financial situation, your new home, new home repairs, Klee’s medical situation, etcetera,etc. I’m very impressed with both of you and your resilient approach to life. No matter how you shuffle your cards on the floor trying to organize your energies and times, you will always do amazing things and create opportunities for your happiness, safety and future.
I got all your books and try to replicate your steps, day after day. Keep creating, keep us happy and curious with your life that is so beautiful and influential.
Regards
Oscar
Connecticut
Thank you for yet more insight into your processes. I do a similar thing on a much smaller scale three times a year, at the end of each university semester (I am a part-time uni prof and part time artist): clean up my studio, throw out any unneeded papers and stuff, give my tiny studio a once over, tidying, and making space for more art-ing. Review/revise goals and priorities and take a few days to just relax/reflect/rearrange/restock and rearrange the art on my shelf and walls so match my new focus. My priorities for the new year are twofold: start a local “Working Artists Working Group” with other artists, make more effort to get my art on local coffee shop walls, and find a venue for my first solo show.
Joining your online gang of listener/supports fits with my present need to gain a better understanding of making/persisting/marketing/selling art.
Here’s to a new year and onward into an arty future…
I love the Let it die list! Definitely going to see what soul sucking activities I can kill off in 2026. Thanks always for the inspiration!
Thank you!
Thanks Happy 2026. You have such a unique prospective, I always ponder what you say. I’ve got a plan to look at all my artwork since I started in 2018. I believe I should catalog all. I want to totally remake my website and my ebay store. Finish my 2nd book. Correct and republish my 1st novel, and read it outloud using it as a way to begin my YouTube channel. All of that sounds like so much, while also dieting and exercise too. I always remember what you’ve said about taking small chunks of the goal, do it little by little to get it done. I envy that you have each other to help you on your journey. Klee has rafi’s back, rafi has klee’s back. You two are rather Awesome! ❤️ Elicia Burton
Love this post. Resumes with how I’m feeling at the moment with a solo and a group show on January and a planning meeting for next summer‘s open studios in my town. Glad that Klee is on the mend
Rafi, you and Klee always amaze me! I love the way you start the year with a complete organizing ritual (well, maybe not TOO much organization — you ARE artists, don’tcha know!). It sounds amazing to sit down and spend time doing that. I have ADHD – predominantly inattentive type so I’ve never made lists, plans, etc. My mom was an artist and painted anytime she was able to. I’ve been dabbling at art, off and on for a few years, since my husband passed. First it was quilting, then acrylic pours, then resin painting. I’ve taken two or three years off, and am not trying out intuitive art – though, admittedly, I’m having a little trouble with the intuitive part. LOL But I’m trying and am enjoying it. I’m not an artist that can actually draw things and have them look like anything, but I know I don’t have to be. My mom did ocean scenes, forest scenes and panoramic prairie scenes. Anyway, I just wanted to touch bases with you and let you know that you guys are truly incredible and inspiring. Also, I think you’d make fantastic alpaca farmers! LOL Just think of all that wonderful wool you could make into yard and dye all the beautiful colors in the world! I’m not trying to tell you to get in another line of business! NO! It’s just that alpacas are so cute!! (And the yarn made from their wool is INCREDIBLY expensive!) Anyway, sorry for the long comment. My 70th birthday was yesterday and I decided I needed a “kid day”. Love you two! ~Janea
Man! I needed to read this today, making lists that includes my energy and how I feel and not just what must be done is such a great idea! What a great way to do self care for the newyear!
Thank you for your encouragement and sheer honesty! Life throws javelins and sometimes we can recover from their piercings and sometimes we catch them and use them. (For art of course!) All the best to you both!
Thank you!!
Thanks, Rafi! Good food for thought as I’m thinking and writing my action/non-action plan for the year.
Awesome! I’m glad it was helpful!