Saturday, January 2, 2010

The New Year - Listing Goals (but not resolutions!)

Happy New Year, to all!

Yesterday, Dearest Sister announced her two year! Blogaversary!

I remember the day she opened the blog world door for me - we were talking on the phone and she directed me to log into her Ravelry page. I was all 'huh?' Why would people take photos of yarn...?

Then, she directed me to her blog - and her blogroll. I spent the better part of the next couple of months discovering bloggers and reading their archives like a crazy cat woman lurker.

DS has always been a writer of her thoughts. A journal keeper, a list maker and a goal setter.

I am none of those things, but I aspire to be a bit of each. In the past, I started journaling a couple of times. Never seriously, or for any length of time, though. She is also a much more careful writer than I am. I just pound out my thoughts, edit for clarity and brevity and publish. She blogs about what she thinks and has learned (her eldest teases her about her 'hippie talk'). I am more about 'look what I made'!

She sets goals to master new skills - and generally achieves them - and more. I am more about trying something new now and again, usually sticking to the bunny slopes.

Through the process of blogging, I have made progress toward those goals, though. Mainly because I have been inspired by so many others and found so many things that I would like to do. And so many things broken down into baby steps to make them approachable!

So, as this is the beginning of a new year, AND a new decade, I have decided to make a list of goals.

  • I am going to continue my journey to become a healthier weight with better eating and regular exercise (I haven't made any 'forward progress' in a couple of months, but I didn't go backwards during the holidays, so I am counting that as progress)
  • I am going to stop increasing my fabric stash. Not to stop buying fabric, just to start using it up at least as fast I bring it home!
  • Ditto for yarn, which is easier, since I am only really tempted by cotton yarn for dishcloths...
  • I want to make a quilt. This is a carryover, but still a work in progress, so I am listing it. And I want to make more quilts!
  • I am going to create a better organization system in my 'studio' so that I will have room to really see he potential in the materials that I have.

Maybe next year, I will add 'knit a garment', but for now, I think this list will suffice.

Even if blogging has not made me a 'writer', it has at least been a documentation process. And, I hope it will help to hold me accountable for accomplishing some things. (We will see how well that works this time next year!)

Be sure and pop over to congratulate DS! She is giving away a gift certificate to Atomic Sisters Etsy Shop!

8 comments:

Iron Needles said...

Haha! My list of goals got bumped for a day for another Christmas experience post! Maybe I should put 'quit procrastinating' as one of my goals!

I am glad you came to the blogging dark side. We are more birds of a feather than you let on.

Martha said...

I think you're a wonderful writer and I have enjoyed getting to know you and your family. Here's to another year of creating, writing and trying new things!

Lynne said...

All good goals, Jan! Don't discount yourself in the writing department, you're very enjoyable to read!

Gaynell said...

I look forward to reading your blog. I think it is a good representation of your best side...not that you have a "dark side!" Your creativity is different than that of DS, but unique and fun to read.

Paula, the quilter said...

Good luck with #2 *grin*. It didn't happen with me. It's a sickness, ya know. I have noticed that as I post more the writing seems to get better and feels natural. It will come, grasshopper.

Allie said...

Happy New Year Jan! I commend you on your goals - I'm trying really hard not to make any, lol, as I usually don't get to them. I'm a blogger like you - a "look what I made!" type - although I'd like to be more like your sis. I get a lot of introspective posts going in my head, but they never make it to blogger.
I'm really, really glad you started your blog, it's been lovely getting to know you!!!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Good list! I'm working on mine... Actually I'm procrastinating on mine... I love your blog. And, Iron's too.

lunaticraft said...

I've only been a follower for a short while, but in that time, I must say I have enjoyed your writing quite a bit! I certianly consider you a writer, and a good one at that.

Great goal list, as well. I, for one, can't wait to see that quilt!