The second book in The Artist's Way trilogy is "Walking in This World." Julia Cameron writes in Chapter 3 Discovering a Sense of Perspective, "Creativity is medicine. It is not dangerous or egotistical. It is life-affirming and essential. The more we use it, the more steadily and readily and easily we use it. The more we ground it and regularly access it, the better off we are. The "healthier" we are. Humor and acceptance enter the picture. Far more than self-scrutiny or self-correction, self-expression may be the key to a much more synthesized and effective sense of self." A positive New Year's resolution would be to stop criticizing ourselves and our work/art. Instead use that energy for creativity, save drama for the page, canvas or whatever medium we use to express our creative selves. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself as you create. Practice, not perfection brings us to a finished product.