12 themes seems very ambitious to me because I am terrible at remembering all the promises I make to myself at the beginning of the year. I stick with one theme or word for the year which I can manage returning to. 2023 is Making Do, which I am making a bit of a project out of. I'm still thinking about the parameters of this, but will definitely include a focus on using what I have in my creative space, and not purchasing more weaving, knitting, sewing materials. I'm thinking of an outright shopping ban for non-essentials starting in mid-February (just after my birthday) to facilitate this.
Your themes seem very well-placed with the months of the year though, some of them very naturally flowing from the season you are in - I look forward to hearing more as you encounter them this year.
Thanks Megan, and I could see that. It remains to be seen whether I’ll stick to them, but I’ve been pretty good about reviewing my plans and ideas throughout the year for the last couple of years, mostly thanks to keeping a journal. I’ve discovered that I am a VERY ritualistic person, so stuff like this works for me.
I like the new-stuff ban. I went a year with no new clothes once, and I really enjoyed it. Fabric, yarn, and art supplies would be tough.
I like your monthly themes. Right now I have one theme which may take me through the entire year; actually it's more like a five year plan -- FINISH! Finish reading the books I have waiting patiently in piles around my house. I forgot to mention the magazines that need to be read also. Finish all the needlework projects that have been started and not completed. Finish revising the poems and stories I have written. Finish doing the research for a non-fiction book I would like to write. Finish a memoir. So much to FINISH! Good luck with your themes. Cheryl
That sounds excellent. All those unfinished projects and ideas feel like ghosts haunting us, don’t they? Does that mean you won’t start as many new things?
I really like your idea of monthly themes. It feels very freeing 💕 My current focus is on REST. Even if I have to be real selfish about it and decline events, it feels wonderful and kinda luxurious to just really, truly rest as much as my body, mind, and soul need!
I like your idea of themes! It leaves so much flexibility for thoughts to swim around and, while some will settle in, you can watch the others go by without running after them. Regarding the KŌ principles, you might like the book 'east wind melts the ice' by Liza Dalby. It is a lovely book with essays about each of the 72 stages of the year. There are lots of references to gardening and the natural world. I love your writing project, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, they do feel like ghosts and it could be some of them just need to be donated to a thrift shop to haunt someone else. Sometime may be a "starter" year, but definitely not this one -- except I like to make small gifts to give at the holidays. This year I knitted ice cream cozies for everyone and put a pint of ice cream in each one. That was fun to give and for them to receive. I hope to work on UFO's until November, then start making gifts.
Your monthly thèmes really resonated with me. I’m very much enjoying this writing experiment. The links are surprising, rewarding and often inspiring. I’m tempted to do my own year of themes! Thank you 😊
12 themes seems very ambitious to me because I am terrible at remembering all the promises I make to myself at the beginning of the year. I stick with one theme or word for the year which I can manage returning to. 2023 is Making Do, which I am making a bit of a project out of. I'm still thinking about the parameters of this, but will definitely include a focus on using what I have in my creative space, and not purchasing more weaving, knitting, sewing materials. I'm thinking of an outright shopping ban for non-essentials starting in mid-February (just after my birthday) to facilitate this.
Your themes seem very well-placed with the months of the year though, some of them very naturally flowing from the season you are in - I look forward to hearing more as you encounter them this year.
Thanks Megan, and I could see that. It remains to be seen whether I’ll stick to them, but I’ve been pretty good about reviewing my plans and ideas throughout the year for the last couple of years, mostly thanks to keeping a journal. I’ve discovered that I am a VERY ritualistic person, so stuff like this works for me.
I like the new-stuff ban. I went a year with no new clothes once, and I really enjoyed it. Fabric, yarn, and art supplies would be tough.
I like your monthly themes. Right now I have one theme which may take me through the entire year; actually it's more like a five year plan -- FINISH! Finish reading the books I have waiting patiently in piles around my house. I forgot to mention the magazines that need to be read also. Finish all the needlework projects that have been started and not completed. Finish revising the poems and stories I have written. Finish doing the research for a non-fiction book I would like to write. Finish a memoir. So much to FINISH! Good luck with your themes. Cheryl
That sounds excellent. All those unfinished projects and ideas feel like ghosts haunting us, don’t they? Does that mean you won’t start as many new things?
I really like your idea of monthly themes. It feels very freeing 💕 My current focus is on REST. Even if I have to be real selfish about it and decline events, it feels wonderful and kinda luxurious to just really, truly rest as much as my body, mind, and soul need!
That’s a really good one, and something I’ve struggled with too.
I like your idea of themes! It leaves so much flexibility for thoughts to swim around and, while some will settle in, you can watch the others go by without running after them. Regarding the KŌ principles, you might like the book 'east wind melts the ice' by Liza Dalby. It is a lovely book with essays about each of the 72 stages of the year. There are lots of references to gardening and the natural world. I love your writing project, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for the recommendation, Jean. That sounds up my alley. I’ll check the library!
Yes, they do feel like ghosts and it could be some of them just need to be donated to a thrift shop to haunt someone else. Sometime may be a "starter" year, but definitely not this one -- except I like to make small gifts to give at the holidays. This year I knitted ice cream cozies for everyone and put a pint of ice cream in each one. That was fun to give and for them to receive. I hope to work on UFO's until November, then start making gifts.
Your monthly thèmes really resonated with me. I’m very much enjoying this writing experiment. The links are surprising, rewarding and often inspiring. I’m tempted to do my own year of themes! Thank you 😊
Thank you, Bee! If you do, let me know what they are!
I love your month thems, this is a so good idea!
Personly, I will try to do it by season.
That’s a great idea too!
Thank you, Tracy! I learned a lot.
Can I ask which training you used for Procreate? There are so many out there! It’s a great app but rather daunting to start off 😊
I took the Intro to Procreate class via skillshare, taught by Brooke Glaser. It was great!
Thank you 😊 I have Skillshare so I will check it out 💕