December is here, and I couldn’t be happier. As a winter baby, I like to think my love for this season is just baked into me! Winter is my most creative time—it feels like my mind finally gets the memo to slow down, do less, and open itself up to fresh ideas. That being said, I know what’s coming: bone-chilling cold, endless snow to clear, frozen fingers and toes on the ski trails or while skating. Oh, and those impossibly short days. But, I’d rather focus on all the charm this season brings instead.♡
Since moving to Norway, winter has become a whole new game: I’m glued to the Skisporet and weather apps, eagerly tracking snowfalls and checking which cross-country trails are ready to glide on. It’s hilarious how my brain conveniently tunes out the freezing temperatures I’ll have to brave. It’s fully locked in on the adventures waiting ahead. Priorities, right?
New year, new ideas: Embracing a blank slate
Between skiing, skating, and daydreaming about fresh powder, I’m also eagerly anticipating a new year of creative projects. There’s something magical about that “blank slate” feeling in January. My mind is already buzzing with ideas: a sculpture I’ve been thinking about, a new painting, and some exciting concepts for Alta to explore (if time permits). While I don’t yet know what 2025 will look like for me, I’m excited to figure it out. I’m sure there will be plenty of small business challenges—like this past year—but I’m determined to keep creativity and hope at the forefront instead of letting fear or anxiety take over.
Speaking of small business joys and challenges. November was a big month for me. As I shared before, I launched my teen career toolkit project in the Netherlands! This toolkit helps teenagers explore and map out their career paths, and I hosted a training session with teachers to walk them through the materials step by step.
Small Business highs and hurdles: A toolkit journey
The teachers’ responses were as I’d hoped for—they loved the tangible, hands-on materials, especially since so many are burned out from the endless stream of digital tools. Seeing their excitement was really fulfilling. However, the experience also highlighted a big challenge: it seems that the only way for these toolkits to reach students is if they’re integrated into school curriculums, which would require extensive lobbying—something I don’t currently have the resources to tackle....
That said, I’m not giving up on this project! The toolkit (in both English & Dutch) is complete, and I’m brainstorming ways to make it more accessible—like creating a version that students can use independently with video guidance. But for now, the group dynamic is such a valuable part of the process, and I want to preserve that.
Slowing down and finding clarity
After months of prep leading up to the training, I was riding a wave of adrenaline. Naturally, once it was over, my body decided it was time to crash—I got sick (and still am, to be honest). But even in the midst of this forced downtime, I see the silver lining: it reminds me how deeply I care about this work.♡
As we inch closer to the new year, I’m preparing to reflect on 2024—its highs, lows, and lessons. Reflection can be tricky, though. It’s so easy to dwell on what didn’t go well and let that overshadow all the good stuff. I recently read That Little Voice in Your Head by Mo Gawdat, and it gave me a fresh perspective. Gawdat compares the brain to a supercomputer: if you feed it the same input over and over, it gets stuck in an endless loop of unproductive thoughts. To break the cycle, he suggests treating the brain like a third party and asking it to deliver either joyful or useful thoughts—anything else is just a waste of life.
I’m going to put this into practice as I reflect on the past year and set goals for 2025. I want to believe that the work I’m doing serves a purpose and that my plans for the future can defy gravity, no matter the outcome. Wish me luck ;-]
Closing the year with reflections and goals
As we wrap up the year, I really hope you’ll do your own reflection. Take a moment yourself, to jot down the things you’re proud of—big or small—the moments that made you feel alive, creative, or confident. Keep that list somewhere visible as a reminder of all you’ve accomplished and let it give you a little boost whenever you need it!
And, if you’re looking for a meaningful gift this season (for yourself or a loved one), don’t forget about the Alta - High on Life toolkits. They’re guaranteed to spark some positivity and self-reflection! Remember the famous saying?: “When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance!” — it’s true!!
I hope you've enjoyed my 'snowfall to small business: a year-end reflection'! Wishing you a magical December filled with ‘gezelligheid’, creativity, and adventures!
Iris
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