“Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.” — Aldous Huxley
Welcome to the new year. As you step back into your routine, one thing that you can count on is I’ll be here each week to share perspective and encouragement.
Over time, you learn that life eases and ebbs with highs and lows, but it never really slows. What changes is how you respond.
You ride the waves that come your way.
You roll with the punches when they don’t.
May you manage both with grace.
Knowing when to lean in and when to ease up comes with time. As the years add up, you begin to see patterns. Many of the best situations in life don’t come from dramatic moves or perfect plans. They come from making a series of reasonably good decisions — and avoiding the obvious bad ones when you can.
That’s not about control. It’s about awareness.
Every age brings its own mix of challenges and choices. They’re never exactly the same, though they’re familiar enough for each generation to recognize. What changes is how you respond — how much pressure you put on yourself, and how much room you allow for recovery, reflection, and recalibration.
Moving on at any age isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about finding a rhythm or cadence that sustains momentum. Writing this blog weekly does that for me.
Moving on at any age is about noticing what feels settled, what feels unfinished, and what you’re ready to carry forward — consciously, rather than by default.
This stretch of the year has its own realities. The holidays disrupt routines; travel and weather complicate plans; colds and flu flourish; and energy doesn’t always rebound on schedule. There’s a long year ahead, and very little that I truly can’t wait for. Taking time to recover and bank energy for the long haul is worth accounting for — not pushing through.
There’s no need to figure out your next steps right away. Pausing to reflect on what just happened makes it easier to see what really matters when the time comes.
Warm wishes,
Barney
P.S. This is my 21st year of publishing this weekly blog, and I’m still looking forward to what lies ahead — at a pace that makes sense. I’ve learned that a lot comes from simply continuing to show up, without rushing it. As the old blues line goes, “I’m built for comfort, not for speed.” I’ll see you next week.
Another great one!
Hi Esther,
Thank you so much — I’m really glad this one resonated with you. I appreciate you being here and sharing your encouragement.
Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year!
—Barney
Hello and thank you for your post Barney. I have enjoyed reading it. It makes clear what matters the most as we move on.
Best wishes for the new year
Marietou
Hi Marietou,
I’m so glad the post spoke to you. Your note is a kind reminder of why I keep writing these pieces.
Wishing you a peaceful and inspiring start to the new year.
—Barney
Thank you! This message lands in my inbox at a very good time. I’ve just delivered a new series of paintings for a gallery show – 3 months of daily creative focus. The energy tank is low. Time to triage the studio and just breathe.
Hi Paula,
Thank you for sharing this — and congratulations on delivering your new series. After that kind of sustained creative push, taking a breath is well earned. Wishing you a gentle reset and a bright stretch ahead.
All the best!
—Barney
Hi Barney! You have been a guiding light for me as an artist, and as others have said, the year 2025 brought lots of pain, progress, and a need for reflection. Almost a week into the New Year, and my energy returns…thank you for this message.
Hi Mary,
I really appreciate your note. It sounds like last year asked a lot of you, and I’m glad to hear your energy is starting to come back as the new one gets underway. Wishing you a steady, encouraging start to 2026.
All the best!
—Barney
Hi Barney, I’ve been part of your community for YEARS, and always enjoy your writing. I definitely can relate to this. When our 8-year caregiving ended last January (our 98 and 102 year-old moms who lived with us passed away), I was sure I was going to pick up my art business and go all in, once and for all. I never knew that I needed time to just ‘be’, reconnect with my husband, and just chill out and enjoy the simple things. Instead of diving in to try and market my large pieces to interior designers, which was my plan (but never made me feel comfortable) I’ve decided to tread lightly, and keep it simple, so I’ve started an ‘art print of the month club’. I still haven’t gone ‘all in’ with email and social media to properly launch it, but I’m taking pressure off of myself and looking at it as an experiment. Thanks for the reminder that it’s ok to slow down.
Thank you, Debbie. Your steady presence over the years means more than you know. I’m grateful for your support and for the way you’ve stayed with me through so many chapters. And bless you for the care you gave your moms when they needed you most — that kind of devotion stays with people. You’ll find the pace that’s right for you with your art. You’re doing the right thing to pace yourself. It’s not a competition, it’s your life. It’s your time to enjoy it without feeling pressure to do more just because you can.
All the best!
Barney
Thanks for your kind words. I’ve decided that I’m not going to let my age (67) make me feel like I have to do it NOW because time is running out. I’m slowing my brain down and taking the pressure off, and just enjoying the ride.