In 2011, I chose to pick a word to help me through my year, as a lot of bloggers were doing. I chose the word Simplicity. I needed some simplicity in my life, and while I had some very lofty goals for the year, and things to do, I think I kept up my simplicity. For the last few weeks, I was feeling like I had let the word down…that there was nothing simple about my life. It seemed like there were a million things left to do on my list of goals for the year, each with many steps in order to be completed. And then it hit me, just as I was feeling like crap about not finishing things—by not finishing everything, I had kept my life on the path to simplicity. There were many things that did get completed, and while they may not have all been huge accomplishments, some were and they made up for everything else. I chose to keep my life simple in the last half of the year, and focus on my family and not so much my business—which isn’t great, because I still need to get that balance thing down. But it worked for me, since my jewelry business isn’t what I rely on right now. I’m still figuring out what my word for 2012 will be…I have quite a few written down, and none seem quite right, and I wish I could choose them all—so I’m going to wait a few more days to see if one jumps out at me.
Anyway, looking back on my year, here are a few things I did accomplish, all of them from my 28 Before 28 list (which was supposed to be done in September…oh well.) I’m in the process of making a new list with 30 things to accomplish by the time I turn 30, which should be done any day now. And will give me almost 2 years to complete. :D
1. Read 15 books—for fun. Almost done. :D
I didn’t finish this one completely, but I did read 13 before my birthday, which I feel is really good for me, given how hectic my summer was. My favorite book of the year? I totally loved The Help—and watched the movie, which was just as good!
2. Decide on a major, switch it, and do it already! Done-ish
I haven’t really completed this. I’ve narrowed it down to two options, though. Art History (which really excites me), or just be done with college altogether. I feel peace with that option…I think I feel that so many people in my life expect me to finish college, and that designing/selling jewelry isn’t enough or “a ‘real’" job”. But I do, I love it, and why should I spend thousands of dollars, and years of my time if I’ve found what I enjoy doing, and it doesn’t require a college degree? I’m still really struggling with this task.
5. Take a day trip to Boston with my sisters. & 6. Go to the New England Aquarium-Done!
I took a trip down to Boston with 3 of my sisters, and we went to the NEAQ. We had a blast, the girls loved it, and they can’t wait to go again this summer. Our favorite exhibit was the penguins of course, but the seals were a close second.
10. Submit designs to a jewelry magazine & 11. Have design selected to be shown in said magazine (this is one I have no control over…but really want to happen!) DONE!
Back in May, I submitted 3 designs to Bead Trends Magazine for November’s issue. I’m so excited that this one was able to have “Done” written next to it! If this were the only thing that was accomplished this year, I’d be happy. One of the designs I submitted to Bead Trends was selected to be in the November issue. It’s been almost 2 months, and I’m still reeling from excitement. :D (And guess what—it was a design I made with simplicity in mind!)
(Bead Trends 2011…lampwork beads from StudioJuls.com)
15. Organize craft closet. Done!
I did complete this, but as I do every January, I feel it needs to be completely reorganized, gone through, sorted, etc.
16. Sort through craft supplies, and only keep what I’m really going to use. Done!
It feels so good to only have the supplies I’m going to use…I had a few great giveaways, and hope to have a few more in the next few months as I go through my supplies yet again.
19. Learn to use my camera, without using the “auto” feature or pre-set scenes (which will prove tricky, since I can’t find my manual). Done!
I finally figured out some good stuff, and then decided I wanted a newer, better camera for Christmas. Thankfully, Santa heard my request and now this year I get to learn a whole new camera. At least this year I have a manual to help! I’m already loving this new camera, and all the great features it has. I can’t wait for there to be some really cool snow falls or great sunny days to really get a chance to use it outside.
26. Watch every episode of every season of Monk. Done! & 27. Play Mario Kart. Come in 1st place in a Championship Race. Done!
These were probably two of the most fun goals I had…Monk is a great show, and just when I was going to give up on Mario Kart, I decided to try one last time…I couldn’t let a a bunch of kids be better than me all the time. And now I can say “well I beat you all once!”. I’m sure they let me win, so I’d shut up about it, but whatever. :)
28. Donate to a charity. TBD which one, and what will be donated. Done!
I actually donated to a bunch of charities this year, which isn’t unusual for me. I gave money to some charities that needed it, bought toys & clothes at Christmas time for the tags on trees in local stores, and made/bought a bunch of blankets to donate to the Children’s Hospital in Boston. I wanted to do something bigger, like a fundraiser of sorts, but that will go on my 30 Before 30 list.
