Breaking Free: When it’s Time to Try Something New

by juliehartig | Nov, 2024 | Reflections | Personal Essays on Meaning, Identity, and Care

A Thanksgiving Story About Rethinking Family Traditions I have always cherished traditions—birthday cakes, coloring eggs, the vibrant tapestry of autumn leaves, and Christmas lights that bring hope to the darkness. These yearly milestones spice up the year with...

Character Revealed: Actions as the Ultimate Test

by juliehartig | Nov, 2024 | Reflections | Personal Essays on Meaning, Identity, and Care

Revealing Character As an author, in revealing character, I return to three guiding principles: Words (or dialog) are a form of action, but they are unreliable. Character is revealed through what a person does. True character emerges when someone reaches their limits....

Facing Down Doubts and Claiming My Artist Identity

by juliehartig | Oct, 2024 | Reflections | Personal Essays on Meaning, Identity, and Care

You’re Not an Artist I remember the moment vividly. Leaning against the kitchen table of the vacation rental in Maine, I said to an old friend, “I’m an artist.” The statement was laced with an undertone of humor, a nod to the distinct outlook differences from my past...

Rediscovering Joy in the Coming Year

by juliehartig | Jan, 2024 | Reflections | Personal Essays on Meaning, Identity, and Care

How do you find joy when the world seems to be crumbling around you? It’s been a tough year with three deaths in the family, my rights as a woman rolled back (and under assault), and the world devolving into a state of strife. While my personal life is...

Becoming Visible: Identity, Design, and Choosing How to Be Seen

by juliehartig | Sep, 2022 | Reflections | Personal Essays on Meaning, Identity, and Care

Note: The post was updated on January, 2026. The original title was Tea Time or Logo Design This post updated was updated because I’ve grown as a writer. I’ve been at the page long enough to clarify not just what I write, but who I am on it, and that understanding...