The end of the year is traditionally the time when we review what happened during the past twelve months, how we have evolved, and what we have achieved. Sometimes we make conscious decisions to change a particular behaviour - eat healthier, exercise more, be kinder, more patient… and other times we hope for an overall improvement of our wellbeing. Unfortunately, however sincere and determined we were whilst setting our intentions, most of us realise that the hardest part of a successful new year resolution is to stay on course in the long term.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle
Thankfully, some precious objects can help us stay on track. We wear jewellery on ourselves every single day, and therefore it can act as a memento; a reminder of our intentions. It’s this particular function that fine jewellery brand Alice van Cal bases their designs on. Alice believes that a piece of jewellery has the power to not only provide natural energy from precious stones but also to guide us on a journey of profound self-growth. Each piece is designed with its own set of symbolic characteristics which answer a particular need and help us find the motivation and discipline to keep new habits in place.
Today is the tomorrow you dreamt of yesterday
With the Journey collection, Alice wanted to honour the path we have created, each piece representing an important milestone in our lives. With every new accomplishment or goal, another jewel can be added to your stack turning your journey into your greatest inspiration. Wearing a ring that symbolises your commitment to change something in your life can be a very powerful thing, especially if you select gemstones that resonate with you.
Switching mindset
In her latest creation, the Anima necklace, Alice explores the concept of “Letting go”. Sometimes an event, person or situation has created a heavy blockage in our minds and in order to move forward and grow, we need to find a way of releasing the weight. Each element that makes the Anima necklace has its own meaning: Sitting at the throat, the central stone is your expression in this present moment. At the mid-point between hope and serenity everything you once were lies to one side of it, everything you are becoming lies ahead to the other. The drop chain represents all that needs to be “let go” as you rise towards your highest self. The chakra pendant sits close to your heart, its seven stones capturing your inner light and reflecting it back in a scintillating reminder of your commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.
“Talking about self-development is easy but finding the desire to apply any of these theories to our own lives is another story. I wanted to create a necklace that would facilitate our growth goals by reminding us where we are, where we want to go as well as what we need to let go of or focus on in order to be on the path of becoming the best version of ourselves.” - Alice Millner
