Joyful Vision
Happy New Year, 12 x 12 members! I am thrilled to be the Featured Author for January 2025. The 12 x 12 community has inspired and supported me over the last five years. I’ve learned much from putting together picture book dummies and studying mentor texts. I’ve heard how personal stories have inspired authors and enjoyed the many author/illustrator book chats.
Having worked for almost two decades in various capacities within publishing, this author knows well the highs and lows of publishing, from no reviews to starred reviews, and book lists to heartbreaking book delays. What gets me through tough times? Embracing small joys in all their forms:
- A walk with Lenny, my dog
- A new pen
- A warm cup of tea
- Playing a song I haven’t listened to in a while
- The aroma from Coriander Kitchen, my favourite takeout
Daily Joy
I know resolutions are hard to keep. Many of us begin each new year with high expectations. Perhaps you, too, have created those traditional lists of goals—the To Do/ Will Do/ Have to Do lists or vision boards packed with career or health goals and priorities. This will be fun, you tell yourself in … January.
However, when spring rolls around, the list or board has taken up residence in a bottom drawer or forgotten Canva folder.
These resolutions, lists, and boards can often be overwhelming. They create stress, especially when the steps to achieving those goals seem never-ending, impossible, or not quite as you envisioned.
They may begin to remind you of an unwieldy manuscript and become as frustrating as page turns that don’t work and sentences that clunk worse than an overloaded washing machine. You may even look back upon these lists and wonder why a goal was so important that you wrote it down, cut out a picture, or made a memo on a digital device.
This year, I encourage members to recognize and incorporate daily joy into their writing and/or illustrating routine. Joy can be found everywhere.
Nothing is Ordinary
The simple practice of recognizing daily joy can significantly enhance your creativity and perspective and let your mind rest when tackling creative blocks. Finding joy in the small moments of your day can open your mind to new ideas and inspiration, fueling your creative process.
Daily joy could include a new book, a chat with a friend, or a sunbeam. These simple happenings reflect only a few wonders unfolding within 24 hours.
Start
Document your joy with pictures, patterns, or phrases you love, using a medium that resonates. Embroidery is the perfect medium for me. I enjoy receiving new floss in delicious colors bundled into groups with names such as “Golden Hour,” “Wind in my Hair,” and “Midnight Rain.” So, I create an image using these embroidery flosses to help me remember each day.
Before you say, “Embroidery?” No way! Remember, this 2025 joy challenge can easily be adapted for any medium, from digital art software to physical media like paper, magazines, or colored pencils. Have you ever made a collage? Even a photo taken on your cellphone can be a starting point. The key is to explore the relationship between documenting small moments and creativity. And yes, I have friends who prefer to record a word rather than an image of the day. All you would need is a pencil and paper or your mobile device.
A few words
Suppose you have decided to document your joy with an image. In that case, I recommend jotting down a few words in a corresponding notebook or Word document. When I started my joy journaling, I often skipped this step because I knew why I created each image. However, as the months and years passed, I needed help remembering what each image corresponded to.
This practice will not only help you keep track of your pictures but also remember what they represent. Think of all the story ideas you will have created by year’s end. Some of these may even become 12 x 12 manuscripts!
You might be thinking: What if nothing, absolutely nothing, feels worth remembering on a particular day? The kind of day you wished you had stayed in bed, buried under blankets—I have a solution for that, too. Sometimes, I draw circles or spirals because, for me, they symbolize growth and change. They represent that our journeys—whether in writing or life—never truly end. There is always something new to write about, learn about, and find inspiration.
Joy
This is your year to share your words and illustrations with the world. You have many stories to share with young readers eager for your books.
So, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to live your day, plant a seed, and watch it grow. Like my heroine, Junko Tabei would say, “Begin.” Start today by finding joy, one item at a time, reaching for your dreams, and letting your creativity soar—Up, Up, Ever Up!
Happy 2025!
ANITA YASUDA is a former Montessori and ECE educator and the author of many books for young readers, including the picture book UP, UP, EVER UP! which earned five starred reviews and was a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. She is also the author of Diwali: A Festival of Lights, Bollywood Beat! and other unannounced titles. She lives between Japan and the rolling hills of Ontario, Canada.
You can find her online at www.anitayasuda.com and follow her on Instagram at anita.yasuda.
Anita is offering a copy of UP, UP, EVER UP! (US / Canada only) or a 30-minute AMA (Ask Me Anything)!
Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Click here to be added to our waitlist for 2025 and get a free webinar!
12 x 12 may earn a commission from books purchased through the links in the post. Proceeds go to fund 12 x 12 diversity programming and scholarships.
142 Responses
What a joyful
post with an inspiring approach to the new year! I often use haiku in this way and was just introduced to the idea of creating a daily ode to something that brought joy. (Thank you, Teresa Robeson for the post!) This is an inspiring idea! Thank you!!🙏🏽
Such a great post for the New Year! Thank you.
Thank you for the inspiration and kick into gear for the new year! I love the idea of finding and documenting joy. Terrific!
What an encouraging and inspiring post to start the new year. Thank you, Anita!
What a joyful post! Thank you. I used to always ask my children when they came home from school, “What made you smile today?” Now I will ask myself that question.
This was the perfect post for me to read now. I woke on Jan 1st to a beautiful star etched on the wall created by sun shining through a small glass block window. It was lovely and felt symbolic. It brought me joy and so does writing picture books. I’ll reflect on your inspirational words again, especially on those days when the sun isn’t shining. Thank you.
Thank you for your wonderful message. Congratulations on your success. Your words are inspiring and gives me and understanding of different steps I can take the next step.
Thank you, I will ask my library to carry UP! UP! EVER UP! I do want to read your book. Your uplifting message reminds me of Amazing list and the joy I have sketching my wild flowers. Why not add amazing images too.
Thank you for this! I love the idea of finding joy–little or big–everyday. I also appreciate your option for those wish-I-stayed-in-bed days. We’ll call them “growth opportunities.” Wishing you joy and success in 2025!
Thank you Anita for such a positive affirming start to this new writing year. You are so right about finding joy in small things and letting creativity follow.
Thank you for the inspiration to look for joy in every day. This is something that is very doable and not overwhelming. I will begin today looking for words or images that bring me joy and writing them down.
I love this post and the positive approach to enhancing our creativity and writing our best stories! Thank you, Anita, for sharing your joyful vision, and Congrats on all your success!
Delightful. It’s so good to be reminded to watch out for joy every day – and I’m excited to read this book.
So often it’s the small moments that pass us by–unless we are on the lookout for, as you put it, “daily joy.” So many mornings, it’s my cat on my lap, a good cup of coffee, and birds at the feeder. But I’m not stopping there…so many other moments to appreciate.
I can’t wait to request this book at my local library. I love the way Anita writes about joy, getting started and that nothing is really ordinary.
LOVE this uplifting and encouraging post! Thank you, Anita!
Happy 2025 to you too! Thank you for this inspiring post to start off the new year.
Such a lovely, inspiring post. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the inspiration! I will indeed use these ideas to keep nurturing JOY!
Thank you, Anita, for this encouraging post to find the joy which surrounds our daily lives. Thank you for the ideas to help me keep joy in my day.
Yes! I just bought a new journal that is bright and cheerful and odd (just like me!) and I plan on documenting my excitements, as well as thoughts, struggles, adventures, and happenings with words. It’s relaxing for me to write just for myself 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the inspiration! I love the idea of a joy journal.
Thank you for this post and reminder about finding joy.
Anita, your suggestion of keeping a joy journal has captured my imagination. What a wonderful idea to keep joy at the forefront of our daily lives.
Thank you for the inspiration and Happy New Year!
Thank you for the JOY filled inspiration! As an illustrator, it is sometimes easier to draw a “JOY” thing, but since becoming part of the 12×12 Community, I will challenge myself to write down words to go with my art. They both go hand in hand….and that is super JOYful!
I love your message about finding joy every day one item at a time. I’m going to start journaling and this will definitely be a daily entry.
I look forward to reading your books and I wish you continued success with your writing.
JOY is my word of the year so I absolutely love this post. I also appreciate the suggestion to capture images and writing that may possibly spark story ideas.
Thank you for this reminder. It is especially meaningful/helpful in the dreary winter months. This post has already been a moment of JOY and a sweet reminder to look around and take note.
Anita, this time of year (often so dreary and cold–even for those of us who like that!) is the perfect time to reflect on ways to remember our joys, especially in terms of our creative labors. Thank you for the timely reminder!
Thanks for sharing! We often get so focused on tasks and goals-for-the-sake-of-having-goals that we forget to have joy in the journey, even when (or especially when) that journey takes sharp and sudden turns.
I love this! It’s easy to get bogged down and forget to look for the joy. But joy and gratitude do fuel creativity. Thanks for the reminder!
Beautiful and inspiring, thank you <3
Actively seeking and documenting joy every day – what a simple yet marvelous idea. Thank you so much!
I decided to read your post before working on my “goals,” projects, etc. for the year. Your post changed my outlook entirely. Yes, I’ll still have goals, but my focus will be making time each day to find a joyous moment. Maybe it’ll be time to read a chapter in an “adult” book, a chat with a friend, or a walk in nature. I’ll look for whatever feels joyous each day. And when nothing does, I’ll find joy in the warmth of the blanket I pull over my head. Here’s to a joyous – and therefore more productive – 2025.
Taking a moment to notice the joyful things in life is SO important so thank you for the reminder. I keep a grateful journal by my nightstand, but I’ve never considered making any of these 5 things “beautiful” themselves. Perhaps decorating the list itself….
Thanks for sharing your joy!
This is so wonderful. Thank you for such a thoughtful and joyful post.
Thanks for sharing.
It is so easy to get swept away by all the day to day to do’s that we lose sight of gratitudes, or “joy” in life. I love journaling either with words or collage – it helps release tensions and find focus.
Splendid post. Look forward to reading the book!
ECE teachers in the house! Beautiful advice.
This is so relatable! As a list maker, to help myself stay on track, I need reminding that joyful moments and activities are as important as the “must-do” items. I think this is why I started making ice lanterns and sun catchers. These whimsical items have been discovered by admirers and have moved to my to-do list for a community event. That spark of personal connection has done wonders for my productivity, and rest, and even inspired a book idea.
A wonderful inspiring post!
This blog reinforced everything I have been feeling since retiring and focusing on writing–joy. My extra “craft” is drawing. In fact I have started drawing with a private tutor who is teaching me the fundamentals of art. I am self-taught and decided this would be a joyful gift for me. Thank you for being so positive and reminding us to take time to find joy in our lives.
Thank you Anita for the reminder about extraordinary joy in the ordinary that we can enjoy every day. You’ve inspired me to start a Daily Joy Journal, e.g. the 12 eagles that circled above our house the other day. And being able to sit outside today without a coat and work. Thank you again.
Thank you 12 x 12 for the myriad of support for PB writers.
Love the joy! Congratulations on your ALA win!
What a lovely post to kick off the new year. I have dubbed “joy” and “create” my inspirational words of the year for 2025.
“Begin,” best advice ever! Congrats, Anita!
Thank you so much for reminding us to keep JOY front and center! Wonderful article and I LOVE your book!!
Thank you so much for some great reminders! Your new book looks so fun and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
I love this! I will mix and match the way I recognize joy each day, but I love the idea of keeping a log! Thank you for this inspiring post!
Thanks for this post and reminder to find joy.
Thank you for the inspiring post and amazing tips!
Thanks for this lovely post! And congrats on your Caldecott honor!!!
Thank you for your post! Gratitude is such as important emotion to keep us going.
Love this reminder to look for joy and celebrate it by keeping track. Congrats on your success!
Great inspiration to start the year!
Capturing a joyful moment with an image or words or both will be a wonderful way to enjoy the days ahead! Thank you!
Congratulations on your ALA win. I can’t wait to read Up, Up, Ever Up. How wonderful to feature Junko Tabei. Such a beautiful and dynamic book cover! Thank you for your blog post. I love the idea of drawing circles or spirals on “grayer” days.
Thank you for the inspiration =)
Such a good idea. Lots of people keep junk journals but a joy journal sounds so much better!
Thank you, Anita! This is such an inspiring post. I often find that just spending time with paper brings about moments of joy. Anything can happen with paper: you can jot a word, scribble a drawing, layer collages, fold and create shapes, anything. Your post reminds me to value this alone time spent daydreaming and creating, even when things feel stuck or frustrating. There is joy in simply showing up to the page, whatever comes of the encounter. 🙂
I absolutely love the idea of a word next to a photo as a reminder of why that image sparked joy. I have so many photos of my pets on my phone or little bits of nature. Perhaps keeping a little book of the words those images inspired would be a better way than attempting to remember my joy and gratitude in those moments and then journalling at the end of the day. Thank you for a great post!
Love this I have been going on a creativity date every month. This month I think I’ll visit a yarn shop 😀. My word for this year is JOY 🤩
OOOOOH! Creative Dates!! I like this!!! Great idea,,,EnJOY!
I so completely resonated with your message. Especially in these times of uncertainty and stress, joy is the anecdote. Let us hope that your message reaches many children and their big people.
Love this idea!
Thank you for sharing your joy! It may have taken until the last day of January to find it, but I find joy in your post. Thank you!
Thank you for the inspiration! I never got into embroidery, but I do enjoy knitting.
This post reminds me that I have an app called Gratitude which I occasionally use to log a photo and words for days. “Occasionally” as in the last time was nearly a year ago. It’s a great interface, so maybe I am just not an end-of-day-screens person.
Junko’s story is wonderful! I’m glad you captured it!
This is a great idea. Life is full of small moments like these. We make our art so much better- the creation of it- the more creative we are.
I like the image of clunky words shaking like a washing machine! I’m going to go look for my small joy for today.Thank you for this post, Anita!
I love the idea of capturing the small moments. I learned when I was the caregiver for my husband and my dad that I had to look for any small thing that gave me peace and joy. It helped a lot. It has become a habit. Thank you for the reminder of how this sparks creativity!
I love this inspirational post, Anita! Thank you! I love finding my moments of joy in nature and often spot something that makes me smile as I drive over a small bridge on the way to work or as I walk in the trails surrounding my home. Birds and trees bring me much happiness! I like this idea of creatively collecting these moments of joy and will think about how this might look for me.
This is the second time I’ve read this article. The first time I read it weeks ago I thought I was already making time for simple joys then I really took a closer look at my daily routine and discovered that my list making and the pressure I was putting on myself to achieve certain goals by certain times was robbing me of my joy. I realized I was skipping my periodic dance breaks and phone calls with my girlfriends. I think I needed to read your article again to give myself permission to take the pressure off myself and make my “joy list” a priority over my “must do list” and “work list”. Thanks so much and wishing you great success with all of your writing.
Congratulations, Anita!! Thank you for an inspiring post!
Congratulations! Small joys are what keep us going, but big joys are to be celebrated. All the best to you and yours this year!
Thank you for this inspiring post! I will continue to look for joy all around me.
I love the reminder to embrace small joys. They’re there every day in the details of we look for them, and they can get us through the hard times. Thank you for sharing, Anita!
I am a list maker. It’s discouraging to reach the end of the day with most of the list undone. I like your idea of finding joy because hopefully this would balance out discouragement. My joy might be accomplishing one thing on the list. I can find joy in that! This gives me a much more cheerful attitude. Thank you!
Congratulations and thank you for this post! My daughter makes us a calendar each year with photos of our grandkids. They bring me joy everyday. It is generally a calendar we look at. We don’t use it for scheduling. I think I will start using it to record my “ joy” each day.
I love this suggestion of capturing the “daily joy” in some way! I love sketchbooks and watercolour and am inspired to look at it with fresh eyes to see what daily joy I can put down!
Snow falling outside my window, chocolate, and a hot mug of coffee . . . I’m already starting my list! Thank you for the inspiration.
Daily Joy! With young kids I often need this reminder. It’s too easy to get overwhelmed in the day-to-day. I love the suggestion to document these moments of joy!
Thank you, Anita, for this post and for spreading Joy! I love your idea of drawing spirals to represent days of growth and opportunity. Great inspirational post, thank you!
Thank you for your post. Yes! Looking for joy every day, no matter how small it might be, is so important!
Thank you for the reminder of how important the small joys are in life! I need reminded of that sometimes!
Joy is so important right now! Thanks for posting.
What an inspiring post for the new year! I long ago gave up on the idea of “resolutions” for exactly this reason. It was overwhelming and stressful. I like the idea of starting the year with a new habit to help shift my mindset. I am not sure if this was the intention, but I feel like this practice of recording a moment of joy could really help build emotional resiliency. Which we all need!
Joyful start to the new year; thank you!
Thank you for the inspiration to start off the new year!
For me, it can be easy to find moments of joy but challenging to notice those moments. I love the suggestion of creating a way to remember the joy! Thanks for your post!
Thanks for sharing. Joy is so important.
In a moment of insanity, I signed up to get ….a puppy. Yes, I know! Have raised two other dogs, both of which turned out to be grand, so late at night when the trepidation creeps in I remind myself of all the joy that unconditional love brings with it. When writing becomes a chore, it’s definitely time to reassess and look around for inspiration and soul-healing moments. Thanks!
Dear Anita — I created this list for you…Buy a pen…Write a fabulous non-fiction book ignoring all the “biographies aren’r selling” naysayers…Submit…Embroider while you wait…Get it published (not including all the revisions, etc. here) … Get starred reviews…Win a Caldecott Honor! Squeal! (I watched the Youth Media Awards press conf. online)…Buy more pens!!
Seriously, massive congratulations to you! Thanks for your uplifting advice and terrific book! Wonderful way to start the new year! Hope to meet you at ALA in Philly this summer. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. Linda P.
Thank you, Anita, for this inspiring post. I spent my time dwelling on health issues last year, but decided this year would be different. You’ve inspired me to continue searching for the joy in my life. Wishing you and yours a terrific 2025!
Happy 2025, Anita! I’m using your book with my Adult ESL students. They love it. We are using for new vocab, reading comprehension, and discussion.
Thank you for this thoughtful post and 2025 inspiration. I love the concept that Nothing is Ordinary and that recognizing those daily joys, giggles, and even that cup of coffee can be magical. It’s so easy to get stuck in our heads, and forget the wonders around us.
Thank you Anita for your amazing post! I feel like the universe sent me a confirmation through your post. Since last year I have been practicing “joy,” everyday I ask myself “do what bring you joy today” and at the beginning it was hard to think of what brought me joy, and now I am so much better at this exercise. So I loved your suggestion of journaling joy, that is something I have not done, but I would love to incorporate. Your post was a confirmation to continue to do the things that bring me joy, I feel like when we do the things that bring us joy we start living in a life with good positive vibrations. Thank you
I love the idea of journaling in embroidery. I have a friend who crochets weather scarves or other items each year. It is a small way to acknowledge your day, but so tactile. I so agree that joy can be found anywhere. I am really trying to look for it every day, and you have inspired me to record it somehow. I will find my medium and get going! Thanks for your great post.
I love the focus on joy. Happy writing!
Thank you for he reminder to document our joy. I’m a little behind in my reading but I’m glad I took time to read this post! All the best.
Love these inspiring ideas to incorporate more joy and celebrate any little or big thing. Thank you, Anita and congrats on your book’s success! Cheers!
Thank you and congratulations on your book. I have kept a joy journal for many years and you gave me new ideas on how to use it.
Thank you and congratulations on your book, Anita! Appreciate these inspiring words for the new year and as a newbie to the 12×12 community. Cheers to a joyful 2025!
Both your post and closing statement are just beautiful and inspiring – “Begin.” Start today by finding joy, one item at a time, reaching for your dreams, and letting your creativity soar—Up, Up, Ever Up! 🤩
Thank you for sharing your joy with us! This reminds me of an article I read almost a year ago. Too many times people talk about things that trigger them and the negative connotation associated with triggers. The article encouraged people to look for glimmers each day, much like looking for joy every day. Today, my glimmer is reading your story.
Awww, so inspiring! Thank you for the reminder to notice and keep record our joyful moments. 😊
I had started doing a type of ‘joy journaling’ but your post inspired me to come up with an icon specifically for this. I’ve already used it a few times in my writing journal. Thank you!
Anita – thank you for this inspiring post – I love the idea of joyful journaling. And congratulations on your recent award and all your beautiful books!
I am working on daily joy too! My therapist is always saying “yes yes I understand you did 493 things today but what one thing did you do for YOU?” It is starting to sink in. I can’t remember who the owner of the quote is but something like “never wait for a time to be happy. today is the best time for happiness.”
True. This morning I saw a dolphin frolicking in the bayshore where I walk my dog. It was Joy. Still brings joy to my heart. I have a journal of things that bring me joy, “Happy”. It is red, my favorite color, the one that reminds me of noticing joy. It is a constant source of inspiration.
I’ve been tapping into this more lately by turning off my screens and trying to do more hands on crafts like crochet, “junk journaling” (essentially scrapbook/vision boarding but in the form of a journal), slowly working my way though my To Be Read pile, etc. It’s amazing how restorative it is.
Thanks for this inspiring post, and reminder to look for the good even when things feel hard…
Thanks for all the inspiration at the beginning of a new year.
Such a great way to think about joy, especially the use of other media to elicit joy. I am inspired!
Great inspiration for an otherwise tough January, thanks for writing it. Congrats on your book!!
Congratulations on your picture book award!!! So amazing! And I like your daily joy. I do something similar but think of something that makes me feel thankful. I like joy to, the intention of finding that small bit of joy, however we need to! Thank you!!
Yes let’s all share joy!
Thank you for making your beautiful, hopeful, books!
What a wonderful reminder to stop and appreciate the little things. I recently interviewed a psychologist who said, “There are millions of hidden treasures in a seemingly ordinary day.” Definitely important to take a moment to acknowledge them.
Congratulations, Anita, on your recent book!
Unlike you, I had trouble defining this feeling that coursed through me in unexpected moments with nature, art, and definitely while writing. This sensation was more than happiness for me. I have learned to label it JOY! I have learned to give thanks for the inspiration that arrives with JOY.
Joyful wishes,
Madisu
Thanks for this post, Anita! I started keeping a One Line A Day 5-year memory book in January and it’s been a wonderful way to capture those small, simple joys. Also, I can’t wait to check out UP, UP, EVER UP! My Japanese grandparents were avid hikers, so I think this will hold some special meaning for me.
What an uplifting, inspirational post! Thanks for the joy! 🙂
Thank you for highlighting the power of joy, as we start this new year. I will add talking to sunbeams to my routine! I already talk to plants, birds, ghosts and random animals:)
Thanks for the reminder, and also the honesty about the ups and downs you’ve experienced in this industry. I am trying to walk in a nearby park every day, which is sometimes joyful, sometimes necessary, and sometimes it just is.
Thank you for this joyful and uplifting post, Anita!
Congratulations Anita! Also thank you for sharing your wisdom with us…I find that writing can bring me joy, at least sometimes!
I love your outlook and perspective, Anita! Congrats on this beautiful book!!
Thank you for this thoughtfully written blog!
I have been capturing gratitude in my journals for a year now and I love the idea of making it more visual! Thank you!
The cover is fantastic and the story sounds intriguing. Best Wishes!
Thank you for the motivational post. I do need to get into the habit of writing down the ‘joy of the day.’ When my children came home from school,I used to ask them, “What made you smile today?” I’ve got to start thinking that and writing it down.
Great cover to your book, by the way. Best of luck with it.
I just got this book from the library and really how it goes beyond a bio and also addresses the environmental impact of this sport.
Thank you, Anita for a truly joyful post. I see your joy everyday in your Instagram posts.
And now I know that you harvest those moments into your stories. I’m inspired to find my ‘sunbeams’.
Anita, this post is just what I needed to read. I’ve had many difficult years taking care of my husband with Alzheimer’s Disease. Watching him decline was heart-wrenching, but my family and I always found a way to make him smile, which in turn, made all of us smile. Although it was a trying time for us, we made the best of those years. Since he passed away a three months ago, I remind myself of how blessed we were for the many wonderful years we had together. I try to embrace small joys each day. Thank you, Anita, for reminding me find those small joys… and to write them down.
Anita, I love the idea of skipping New Year resolutions that cause you to cringe and replacing them with lists of things you enjoy and bring you joy. Your ideas are just the things I need right now to give me a boost into the month. Thank you.
Congratulations on this beautiful book! And thanks for all the joy.
Happy to read a post about Joy in all this darkness I’m seeing around me!
Congratulations on your book! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing! A great post to start the year!