Emily's Affirmations: A Valentine's Day Gift to Self

"The invitation from a friend was simple: take a picture each day of something that brings you joy. The intention was harder: bring a little light into a year of profound tumult, and isolation. In the summer of 2020, I like many was starting to feel the unraveling of time--my calendar no longer punctuated by social gatherings and grocery shopping, casual exchanges and well-worn routines. The unscheduled hours I'd previously longed for were being delivered in bundles and heaps, and had begun to feel alarming and disorienting." In the midst of a turbulent time, writer Emily Barr took on a daily creative challenge that evolved unexpectedly into a deep calling. She shares some of that journey here, along with an exquisite Valentine's Day gift.

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