Last week I paused to reflect upon the year. In the middle of that process I came to terms with the fact that amid my desire to be active and in touch with many things, something was missing. Something big. I was doing work, but I really didn’t have much to show at the close of the year.
Don’t get me wrong, the past twelve months were simultaneously amazing and the most challenging I’ve experienced. Yes, I published two patterns, VLSI and CLU. I wrote here with intention (most of the time). Each week I tried to build my weaving and spinning skills. The personal challenges tossed my way starting in mid-June took several months to figure out how to balance and manage. It was a year of extreme highs and lows and I know I’m not alone.
Would a specific social media plan help? Most likely, but that really wasn’t the key issue.
I often found myself skimming through instagram tags looking for something interesting instead of sitting with the materials, a notebook, and getting to work.
This year I am working to improve my habits.
January’s Plan for Creativity
I plan to continue to write here each week and distribute my monthly newsletter on Thursday (subscribe here).
In order to help me succeed, I’ve brought favourite stitch dictionaries and reference books to my main workspace along with some yarn and needles/hooks. I removed the icons from my quick access menus on my phone and tablet. I’ve also now made a public declaration of this intent. I don’t think I’ll be able to completely ignore these applications, but they aren’t my priority this month.
Last year I committed to reading more instead of browsing at lunch time and in the late evening. I read over 200 books, something I hadn’t done in several years.
I’m very curious to see where my creativity leads in this reduced social-media experiment! Whether you plan to create to a specific project in mind and post regularly about it, or take a step back like I am, I wish you a year of creativity.
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