As we are looking at the end of the year approaching us—a pandemic year, a year of civil and political discourse, a year of worry and ambiguous stress, I have found myself in the midst of it all, holding extra space for gratitude. Of course, this is fitting for the holiday season, while not feeling particularly holiday-focused around these parts; this year.

What are we feeling extra grateful for these days? Let me count the ways!

1. The amazing projects that Design5sixty4 is/was chosen for in the way of design and strategic work. We have worked and are working on some solid work that all leans into the greater good. Whether we are supporting clients who fight for women’s rights, or environmental advocacy in indirect and direct ways, we are also supporting small, medium, and large businesses to grow and develop, and enriching their approach to their work and offerings.
2. AIGA, the professional association for design. I have served on the Chapter Advisory Council for approximately 3 yrs. And recently completed my term as Chapter Advisory Council Chair. While bittersweet to part ways with the role, it is a role that I am so grateful to have been a part of. Not only has the role served me in many ways, leadership growth and growth in connection to the creative community nationwide, but it has allowed me to serve this brilliant community and be a supportive voice to peers from the east to west, midwest to the south.
3. Friends. As we all have been going through it in some form, friendships felt stronger this year as we made it a point to reach out and check in on each other.
4. Family. This one not only covers the actual relatives to whom we are always grateful; add to the stack the design and music pockets of the world who showed up and showed me what family means outside of blood relatives. Particularly when a personal crisis popped off late in the year and support came in ways that I’d not expected and just like that, the family grows.
5. Bike rides. In the way of fitness and clearing the headspace for creative space, bike rides whether commuting to the studio or fitness-focused effort is my jam! Running, too.
6. Deep conversations. An interesting thing that has happened this year—deeper human connections and conversations. As we’ve been thrown into Zoom conversations and into each other’s personal space in some ways, we’ve gotten to see the realness in each other. Maybe it’s the dog’s barking in the background, the kiddos popping in on Mom or Dad’s call, or the interior decorating of these newfound work-from-home spaces to name a few. In my own experience, whether friends or working relationships, many of us have had deeper conversations and connected differently this year. I am feeling especially grateful for this, and during a pandemic year, I feel this is where many found solace and support while navigating a challenging time. We’ve made space for grace, for patience, for each other.

As the new year is drawing near, while so much won’t be out of the way—I’m looking at you, COVID—what will be out of the way is being thrown into the unknown. We are in a “new normal” and the good news, while still ambiguous, we can plan and structure our work and lives around what we have learned this year. We can keep on keeping on! And I look forward to the movement in that direction.

The only way out is through.
—Robert Frost

Keep moving. Keep pedaling. Let’s Ride.