Well, it’s the fourth day of the new year and I’ve been having some goals and such floating around in my head that I thought I’d share. I’m looking forward to seeing what all 2012 will bring.
I haven’t really been one to make new year’s resolutions, much less make a bunch and stick with them for the entire twelve months! I think it’s usually a good way to set oneself up for disappointment. Some years I make a few resolutions (pretty much forgetting about them by March, or for sure by summertime) and other years I think that it’s just a silly tradition so I don’t even bother.
This year I feel kind of refreshed and motivated to make a few goals and make 2012 even better than 2011. It’s actually a perfect time in my life where I need some goals to push me a little, or I just get too comfortable and complacent.
So I’m putting this out there for all to see, and I’ll be having someone/something holding me a little bit accountable. There’s a few things I really want to do and some areas I want to see myself learn and grow in. I will follow up with each one on the list, even if it’s a quick note of an update on what I’ve been doing, working on, or haven’t been working on.
I Want To, and I Will, in 2012:
1. Read more often!
- Books- pick one and try to finish it within a month.
- The Bible – spend more time in scripture.
- My magazines and cookbooks that have piled up.
2. Learn, grow, and improve in something I have a love for and hobby in… Photography! I WILL get better and keep learning.
- Read Understanding Exposure. Got this book for Christmas and I want to read it cover to cover.
- Take a class. Whether it’s this spring, summer, or next fall, credit or non-credit. Simply to learn more and get more familiar with the technical side of the camera.
- Post a ‘Photo of the Week’ on the blog. This will be any image(s) that I took during the current week, sometimes even one that I used for a recent recipe/post. It will be a picture that I like and want to share, and it can be with or without captions and explanation. It will be one, or more, pictures that I take during the week of the post. This will keep me looking, seeing, and searching more often, and getting more practice with my camera every week.
3. Go for long runs with my dog. This is a pretty easy one, since it’s what I already do. I take Jackson out for exercise about 5 days/week, but I want to be running for at least 2 of those.
4. Knit at least one item for myself each month. I love knitting but usually don’t let myself relax and knit often enough or get real productive with it. Much less let myself make something to keep. It’s so easy for a knitter to want to gift their knits! So if I must quantitate this goal, it will be to make one thing per month for moi! This can be a big or small project, a simple hat, mitts, cowl, set of dishcloths for the kitchen, or it can be a bigger project like a sweater or shawl. I would like one of these to be an introduction to knitting lace, or one that teaches me more about knitting cables. At least one of these twelve knits will be a sweater! There are several that I have bookmarked that I want to make for myself but I’m always sticking close to the quick-fix accessories and such so I never get around to them. So by the end of the year I will have at least one cute sweater/cardigan. And twelve new knits to wear! 🙂
5. Work more, work harder, try harder to have a better job/work/source of income. Find a second job, or a different job, and/or make more of an effort to do the work my brother hands me to do from his business. I’m not really happy with this aspect of my life currently, and need something more, something better! Someday I’d love to turn one of my talents/passions into my work, be able to do what I love to do and generate some income while I’m at it.
6. Meet more people, make more friends. It seems to me that the older you get, the harder this can be. It’s so easy while growing up, in college, and just afterwards. But at this point in life, seems like girls/people my age are either too busy with their babies/kids, or just settled into their life, work, marriage, etc. And old friends move away and it’s hard to keep in touch and spend time together. I want to meet more people, and would love to make a couple more good, genuine friends! Maybe #5 will help with this one. =)
7. Be more adventurous and make the most of opportunities that present themselves.
And to my friend Lauren, if you’re reading this I loved some of yours that you shared, and I’m totally snagging a few: =)
8. Try some yoga. Occasionally do my yoga dvd’s.
9. Explore, don’t let my petty fears take control.
10. Rock a new found confidence. And a new pair of boots!
Thanks for those ones Lauren! =)
I’m pretty happy with this. It’s not too daunting or unrealistic. There’s a couple more, but no need to ramble on and blog them.
I will report on these, and if you do visit my little online space here regularly, feel free to ask and hold me to it!
I’m off to take down the Christmas tree.
And one more little thing from Christmas, my mom got me a new big 16 qt. soup and stock pot!
Isn’t it pretty?? Thanks mom!
cooking all the thyme 