Letting Go and Creating New Meaning: A Visual Journey of Transformation

I recently embarked on a personal journey of reflection and renewal—a process that involved spending some quiet, solitary time to write down a list of ideas I wanted to let go of, heal from, and ultimately transform into new meaning for the coming year. With young children at home, carving out this alone time was a challenge, so I spread the process over a few days. It wasn’t about following a rigid ritual, but rather about honoring the need for space when dealing with heavy emotions.

I chose to do this during the last full moon of the year—a time traditionally seen as a moment of transition—but I truly believe that you can do this whenever you feel the need. The timing isn’t as important as the intention behind the act. Full moons, new moons, the end of the year, or the start of a new month are all simply symbols of life’s cycles.

For my process, I began by writing each thought on its own piece of paper. I carefully set up my space: I lit a candle that sat atop a few pretty rocks (and a couple of crystals, which, while not essential, add a nice visual touch and a sense of energy). I placed a bowl of water nearby—a nod to water’s cleansing properties, but also for practicality and safety—and had an empty bowl ready for the ashes.

Before starting, I took a few moments to remind myself why I was doing this. Although it felt a bit ritualistic and even silly at times, I knew that creating a visual record of my intentions was essential. It would serve as a reminder for those moments when old beliefs tried to pull me down.

One by one, I read each statement aloud, took a deep breath, and said, “I let this go.” Then, I carefully lit the paper with the candle and allowed it to burn completely, watching it transform into ash in the bowl. Once this part was done, I set out my favorite paints and simply allowed creativity to flow. There was no plan, no design—just the joy of watching colors blend together on a piece of cardboard I had repurposed as a canvas.

While the paint was still wet, I gently added some of the ashes to the background, creating a textured layer of my past being transformed. I also incorporated touches of gold into the piece, a personal reminder that striving to be my best self is as valuable as gold.

The journey didn’t stop there. Over the next few days, I sketched a butterfly—a symbol of transformation. I’m fully aware it isn’t perfect, but neither am I. I filled the butterfly with patterns that felt meaningful, reinforcing that transformation is a process, sometimes messy, but always full of potential.

I plan to make this a yearly practice, a collection of visual reminders that help me release negative thoughts, embrace change, and live a life in tune with my true nature. If you’re ever feeling weighed down by old beliefs, remember: healing takes time, effort, and creativity. Your journey of transformation is uniquely yours, and every small step is worth celebrating.

Never give up—each piece of brokenness can be mended into something even more beautiful.