2023 will be the 5TH year of using the CURRENTLY WORKBOOK. FOUR workbooks are filled to the brim with art testing and experiments and I only spilled water on one of them!
Every December I sit down and fill out the first few pages of the workbook. This process helps me get my head in the game for the year ahead. It also gives me some time and space to reflect on the past years.
Having intentions for the YEAR also helps me set a good tone.
What started as a monthly journal practice turned into…
Something I could share with other people and inspire them to do the same.
I made monthly spreads that I’m really proud of!
With colored pencils:
Collage art!
I’ve played around with black gesso
I went through a mod podge
I tracked my life during quarantine.
I even got a kitten!
I processed a lot of grief through 4 Novembers.
I’ve learned more about unconditional love and perfectionism in the process.
I experimented with mediums and techniques and ended up making a coloring book because, in August, I colored in a photograph I photocopied.
I gave myself some seasonal goals with bucket lists!
This year, I wrote down all the fruits and vegetables for each season.
I’ve also spent over 4 years looking for the good things that happen each month I’ve also kept notes of what I’m:
- inspired by
- watching
- reading
- thinking about
- listening to
- dream life
- researching
- eating & drinking
- grateful for
And it all started when I made a monthly column called CURRENTLY in June of 2016 to act as a time capsule for my life- to help fortify My Everyday Life and the recipes I share.
I’ve been able to track all my different hair iterations between ages 40-43 with the self-portrait prompt in the back
I wouldn’t have been able to keep at it if it wasn’t for the accountability practice I have of sharing it with you here.
And through my Currently Workbook I have:
- a solid art practice
- a good way to check in with myself
- visual proof of my life and growth
- an unintimidating place to play
- a trail of magic to leave behind
- a small community of mostly women who love practicing art too!
I am so grateful that I gave myself the gift of perspective by putting in the work!
Currently 2023 Workbook by Tracy Benjamin
As a kid, it would have been a dream to be able to sit down and do art with my Mom. I am so delighted to know that quite a few families are working on theirs together!
I’d love for you to join me in this self-reflection in 2023. I have plans to move more of this work to The Handwriting Club Newsletter. You can sign up for that here.
Order one here!
An international option can be found here!
You can follow my adventures here on my monthly Currently posts and follow @thehandwritingclub to see my handwriting in practice.
