For 2012 I Resolve ...

I've been thinking the last week or so what I wanted to work on this coming year. A new year means new challenges, new goals, and potentially a new start for me. So far, I don't have much that I really want to work on. There are the typical things - exercise more, watch what I eat, etc, the sorts of things that everyone resolves to do. And I do have those - I would like to get into much better shape, and to eat healthier. To be more healthy overall would be great and it is one of my goals for the year. But I don't really feel that I have any huge overarching goals this year.

Many of my goals/desires have to do with being a more creative person. I have the art project that I mentioned in my last post - My 365 Project. The goal of the project is to improve my artistic talent, as well as to have a constant source of output for my art. Although, it's two days in and I haven't yet started on any of the images (I am currently experiencing some computer complications that are making things slightly more difficult than anticipated, hopefully the issues will be resolved within a week or so).

I want to write.

I want to get my personal website up and running.

I hope to start on some of my long-running writing and comic projects, specifically Tankyuu, Tribe, Truth, and Kyoot!.

I would like to improve my sewing ability, probably by making tons of plushies and dresses. I would like to start selling handicrafts on the internet - potentially through Etsy or some similar service/website.

Other aspects of my life I would like to change are simplifying and living a more minimal lifestyle. Tene and I have discussed moving into a smaller apartment, and I think it would be a good change. I would like to be less of a consumer and more of a creator overall, and so I would like to get rid of our extra "stuff" - and get rid of the space we use to store that extra stuff.

I want to be a better "rat-mom."

I want to be a better friend, and I want to socialize more. I had started doing more near the end of last year, but then things went sideways and all my good intentions got ignored. I want to meet new people and do new things.

There are other things I want as well - again, I would like to be healthy and have a good life. I want to bike more, and I want to go outside and enjoy the outdoors more. I want to read. I want to keep a well-organized home. I want to figure out vermicomposting and have my little patio/balcony flower garden.

In short: I guess my goal for 2012 is: I want to live a better, fuller life by living more simply, more creatively, and more socially.

A New Year, Another Adventure

This blog and my happiness project sort of fell by the wayside in April, and I can't remember exactly why. Regardless, it is a new year and I want to try again.

I have some things planned for this year - goals and such that I want to try out. I'm thinking of doing another happiness project, although it would probably be done differently than it was last year - because obviously what I tried last year didn't end up working out for me. On the other hand, perhaps if I spent more time planning it would work out? I'm not sure.

I do plan to work on my art with what I've been referring to as my "365 project" (although because this year is a leap year it is my 366 project). Each day I'm going to get a prompt in my email through something that Tene set up for me. Then I draw that prompt, or a picture relating to it. A picture each day. I'm hoping to see a lot of improvement by the end, and I'll be posting most of the pictures (if not all of them) to my deviantArt account.

I'm also planning on working on my sewing (I've considered doing something crazy like a dress a week or something - but I think I'm going to stick to something more like a dress every month .... a bit more manageable), and crochet. I've really come to enjoy crocheting, and I like making things for my friends. Plus, crocheting gives me something to do with my hands when I watch shows with Tene, which is a relief.

I want to be more social this year, go to more things. I've been really missing some of my friends back in Utah, a lot, and it would be nice to fill some of that gap with new friends. Not that anything can replace my old friends, but ... well ... it would be nice to have people to socialize with and talk to.

There are others, but I can't think of them now. I'll post a full "Resolutions" list tomorrow or in the coming week.

Happy New Year, may 2012 be the best year yet.