2025 was the hardest year of my life.

Breast cancer.Surgery.Infection.Family layoffs.Illness.

It felt like wave after wave after wave.

There were days I was scared.

Days I was exhausted down to my bones.

And for a while, my art practice slipped away.

But then something quiet happened.

I found my brush again.

Not from motivation.Not from discipline.Just from a gentle pull inside me that said come home.

And when I painted, it didn’t feel like pressure anymore.

It felt like refuge.

So in 2026, I’m laying down the old, torn up brush that tried to prove somethingand picking up the brush that helps me breathe.

Yes, there will still be obstacles.But I’m stronger now. Softer, too.And my art feels like home again.

If your year was heavy, I’m right here beside you.

Here’s to beginning again lightly.

love ya,

Lynn

Make Art~Be Happy/ Art is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lynnhardin.substack.com/subscribe