I’ve changed.
I used to be the sort of person who came up with New Year’s Resolutions. Now, I find I’m more into New Year’s Directional Ideas – the more vague cousin of a resolution. In this season of my life, I find I look inward a lot and make changes all year round, on an as-needed basis. I’m not as interested in those concrete Fitness Goals or Reading Goals. I find them all too easy to discard, and anyway they seem far less impactful than, say, the goal of stress management (a major theme of my 2017).
I have learned a lot about myself in the last couple years. Having traveled constantly for two and a half years, I’ve been forced to learn exactly what I need and how to get it.
Last year I tested my writing abilities and finally started to notice patterns in how I write best. I have learned that I write books best when I dive in head-first and become consumed with the project, turning it out quickly rather than dragging out a book by writing a little bit every day and hopefully finishing something in a few months.
Last year I also learned that I am wired for textile art. I have claimed it as a piece of me, and adopted it as a method of expression, committing to its development. In the first week of 2018 I launched Tinker & Wish, a place for my hand embroidery textile art. In the coming months, I intend to fully illustrate an issue of “The Scribbler“, my kids-zine-for-adults, with textile art. Eventually, I will use it to illustrate children’s books.
My main work-related goal this year is to truly find my rhythm. I want to establish the ebbs and flows of my writing, to know when to go into seclusion to make a novel, and when to work on shorter pieces. I need to find the right recipe of self-discipline and cooperating with who I am and how I’m wired.
This new year is off to a great start! I look forward to the surprises, lessons, and achievements of 2018.
It’s good to see your blog getting attention, I have always enjoyed them. My favorites are the contemplative ones. I love how you express your experiences and thoughts!
Thank you!!
Great Courtney, look forward to see where this takes you, you are so talented and can do anything you set your mind too!!!
Good Luck, will be following/Love Nina
Thank you!!