Mulling Out the Old Year

by Sister-Diane on December 31, 2007

in Lifey Stuff

I love how so many of our blog posts right now reveal us to be thinking about the coming new year, and what it will bring, and what happened in 2007.

I freakin’ loved 2007. I managed to stay self-employed, and largely through crafting-related efforts. I did a whole list of things I would have never in a million years thought I could accomplish. And I found so many great new friends. Chalk this one up as one of the great years – nothing missing at all.

But I was chatting with Susan the other day, and found myself saying, “You know, all I want in 2008 is some time to craft.” And her laugh told me that she understood what I meant.

Of course (like many of us) I already spend a lot of every day immersed in craft. What I want, though, is time for nonserious crafting. For making things that don’t have deadlines or the high stakes of potential income attached to them. For getting out the craft supplies and saying, “What If?

So making space for this is my primary goal for the new year. When the lines between work and play get blurred, it’s so easy to work way too much. I need to regain some balance.

I was really struck by Kirsty’s comments on the most recent podcast — how important it is, in the course of a creative project, to spend some time afterward resting and reflecting on what you’ve done. Truly, how else can creative growth take place? And I honestly don’t think I’ve reflected on anything since last December!

Oh course, I’m also tempted to add the usual “eat better/exercise more/save money/be nicer” litany to the resolution list, but I know good and well I’ll never manage them all. I think I’ll be wise to keep it very simple this year. But I hope that if I can make some spaces to sit quietly and make and think, other improvements will follow naturally.

If you want a heaping helping of inspiration for New Year’s goal-setting, then I highly recommend Hanna’s excellent post.

Happy 2008, everyone! I can’t wait to see what we all make in the new year!

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  • Two little words. Craft Day
  • oh, i know all too well what you mean. this year i really want to make a quilt. and not for a magazine or a book either. i just want to make one.
  • I'm catching up. Love your cat and the crochet books, thanks for sharing some of the inside images too, I miss that when amazon doesn't reveal any of the content!

    I absolutly agree with you on the reflection part, one way can be to take a few hours and read back your entire blog for the past year (or make a book from it, hehe) or your calendar or your diary, and maybe make a BEST OF list. Best project, best meating, best show, best trip etc. I love to make lists like that.

    Thanks for linking to me, and hope you'll have a fantastic new year!
  • Ahh... that's the trouble when your hobby/passion becomes your job. It's wonderful and exhausting all at the same time. Creativity with income attached becomes a whole different ball game, but what can be better than getting paid for doing what you love. Fun, anyone?
  • gl.
    yay, diane! how fun to meet you in a year of such growth. i hope this year gives you everything you could want!
  • Have a great 2008, I hope it's even better than 2007.

    I think just having one main goal is a good idea (it goes back to that 'make it small' thing we were talking about too) and I hope you manage to achieve plenty of crafting time. It's important to allow ourselves time to play, otherwise we can so easily burn out.

    I'm just in the midst of writing out my goals for the year and it's always a thought-provoking exercise. It can be good to have a theme or a single word for the year too, for 2007 mine was 'nourish'. I don't know what my word for 2008 is yet, I'm still musing on it.
  • futuregirl
    Amen to that, Sister! Especially the reflection part. I was really struck by that, too.

    Have a wonderful new year!
  • oh boy do i hear you there! it's funny because i have so many things i have to make, but i still want to make other things. and i want to make them without documenting each step, figuring out how i will explain it for instructions, or using a certain required supply. oy! here's to more time to craft in 08!
  • I hope that the new year brings you much more time for some fun craftiness (there can never be too much I'm sure!) and joy. Thank you for all the inspiration. Happy New Year Diane!
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