When I look back on 2012 the moments that stand out the most are all of the new things I tried last year. Even during the different phases of my life where I felt the most comfortable and stable, I've never been the best at putting myself out there. Combine my routine-loving self with the strange in-between time period that I entered after graduating college, life could have easily become very still as I searched for whatever is supposed to come next. I'm sure any recent graduates or anyone going through a major life change will agree. Even though some days I didn't feel up to it, consistently trying new things throughout the year kept me feeling inspired and pushed me forward as I enter this new chapter of my life.
I tried new things both big and small. I used some yarn to makeover a sweater when I didn't have time to knit one, went on my first solo trip to NYC, traveled to Europe, spent the day with a pen pal, met some really sweet bloggers for tea...
...GRADUATED (yay!!), experimented with different kinds of film photography, tried paper embroidery, organized a yarn bombing day, shot a fun baking video, and ran a 5k. I also had my work published for the first time, started freelancing, and connected with a lot of really great people I admire. These are just a few of the moments that pushed me out of my personal and creative comfort zone and I am so thankful I gave each one a try. So instead of attempting to stick to a list of specific resolutions I decided to pick up where I left off in 2012 and try one new thing a month this year. I hope to finally join (or maybe start?) a knitting club, take a cooking class, create an inspiring workspace, tackle new business adventures, and say "yes" to things that tend to make me a little nervous.
Hopefully I will try more than 12 new things in 2013, but who knows what will cross my path this year. That's the fun/scary part, right? All I know as of right now is that I will continue trying new things that I didn't try the year before.
If you want to join my monthly challenge let me know! Maybe we could organize a few group challenges. What are you excited about trying this year?
I like the simplicity if your approach to the new year. Say yes to new things rather than no. Who knows what doors of opportunity will open! Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lou! :)
DeleteThis year I will try to challenge myself with monthly goals too. I don't want to set a list of a thousand new year resolutions that I won't archieve eventually.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited about your monthly challenge! I would love to take part in it :)
Thanks Melody! I will start brainstorming some ideas we can do as a group.
DeleteI recently discovered your blog (via Gathered) and you are such an inspiration! Thanks for a great blog. I really like your take on new year's resolutions and am up for any monthly challenge! My personal blogging goals for 2013 is to bring my blog to the next level, and to better try to juggle blogging, a full-time job, two kids and a third one on the way.
ReplyDeleteDuring 2013, I want to create and share my own patterns. I want to dare interviewing creative people that I admire for my blog. I want to accomplish at least five of the projects I've had on my mind for years. I want to give my blog a makeover. I want to finally learn how to make (sew) clothes. I will knit the biggest project I've done so far - a coat for myself. And I want to stop feeling guilty for sneaking away from my family to blog or to knit. :-) And much much more. Happy 2013!
Thank you so much! Your goals sound wonderful. I hope your year is filled with lots of crafty adventures.
DeleteLoved this so much. Knitting-wise, I'd like to try my hand at sock making and lace. I have a friend who just completed her 100th pair of socks--but for some reason it terrifies me! And personally I want to be more present in my life and appreciate the small moments. It's easy to get caught up in the "glorification of busy." xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely give sock knitting a try! 100 pairs of socks?! Wow! That's awesome. I hope you have a wonderful year Sarah.
Deletewonderful :)
ReplyDeleteThose are great achievements. Good Luck in the future. I look forward to reading about it.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to you starting a knitting club if you are in Dallas! We need one!
ReplyDeleteYes we do! Hopefully I can get a group together soon. I will definitely blog about it!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to welcome the new year! I'm definitely going to try all the challenges you set here in the blog, trying new things is actually a new thing for me! I really loved your personal challenges from before, especially knitting in public! Hope you have a great year this time too! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lotta! Happy 2013! :)
DeleteYou should be so proud of your achievements in 2012! If 2013 is anything like it I bet it will be a fantastic and fruitful year! Good luck with all your new goals!
ReplyDelete- Kate. www.peachesandpennies.blogspot.com.au
Thank you Kate!
DeleteOne of my goals of my blog is to embrace new things!! I want to try out new hobbies & try new recipes! What a year for you! Congrats on being published!! =)
ReplyDeleteErgo-Blog
That's great Chloe! Thank you! :)
Deletewonderful! I'm right along with you, unchartered waters here I come!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I hope you have a great year. :)
Deleteyou should totally start a knittingn club like an online one! i dont know anyone here that knits or crochets, i wish i did know some experienced knitters ( i am not one) i love groups even though i never really was in one, one of my goals is to document my life more
ReplyDeleteboth in blogs and in my journal, also so be more productive and make life a fairytale, and beautiful. happy new year pretty!
That's a great idea Cristina!
DeleteI hope you have a great year too!
I love the diversity of your creativity...happy New Year! I've only recently found you and am just enjoying your talent.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carol!
Deletei need to challenge my self with different thing/activity, but still with fabric, yarn, button, and all things that i love ^^
ReplyDeletevisit my blog, i glad to welcome you
allfitriragaputti.blogspot.com
very nice projects!
ReplyDeleteWow, your 2012 was HUGELY productive! Congrats! I'm excited to see where 2013 takes you and your blog. You're doing a phenomenal job!
ReplyDeleteThank you Becca! I really appreciate your support! :)
DeleteI just got a bright and shiny new sewing machine for Christmas and so far I have no idea how to use it. lol! My goal is to learn to sew this year. I've already got my first pattern picked out... wish me luck! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! Good luck with your first project! :)
DeleteYour 2012 sounds like it was awesome! If you did some group challenges in 2013 I would definitely join in. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! I will definitely come up with some blog challenges for us to do as a group. Happy New Year to you!
DeleteWow, that sounds awesome! It's really an inspiration, too. I'm still in college, and I love knitting, crocheting, embroidering, etc. I'm also on the quiet/shy end of the spectrum, so I'm really happy I discovered your blog in 2012. Keep up the great work!!!
ReplyDeleteAw thank you! I really appreciate it. I hope you have a great year!
DeleteOne of my main goals for this year is the same as Erica's (3 comments above); I bought myself a sewing machine with some Christmas money, finally got over the fear of failure before even trying, and I'm teaching myself to sew! I made a teeny tiny pillow the very first night I used my new toy!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great Alethea! I took a sewing class a few years ago and loved it. Have fun learning a new craft this year!
DeleteI have recently learned how to crochet so i'm hoping to build on that and continue to challenge myself. I want to move my blog on from where it is now. Maybe, just maybe I will get the one thing that alludes me the most.. A job..
ReplyDeleteI love to read your blog and work in publications such as Mollie Makes and others. I am also on the quiet side and i'm slowly building my confidence through blogging and crafting. Keep up your amazing work
Emma
www.knittedforme.wordpress.com
Thank you Emma. I wish you all the best with your job search. I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you!
DeleteI love making New Year resolutions! And Im thinking of maybe picking up a cute notebook to make some new years notes and paper embroidery! Sounds like 2012 was a year you can be very proud of. Being a shy-ish girl myself, I inderstand that sometimes its tough to step outside our comfort zone :/
ReplyDeleteExcited for new crafty projects in 2013!
Thank you Jessica!
DeleteI think you are doing great. Seeing you try new things has definitely helped me move forward in my life. In some cases, you've tried something I was a little nervous about and it seems that much more possible. I look forward to all your posts in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Audry. I really appreciate your kind words. I hope you have a wonderful year. :)
DeleteYA GRADUATION!!! Congrats! I barely made it in 2012, graduating at the end of December hee. I also ran a 5k for the first time. It seems you got a lot of amazing things accomplished! The monthly challenge sounds like a great idea, that would definitely kick me off my hiney! My biggest challenge right now is to find and snatch a dream job.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!! Hope this year brings all that you wish for. I would like to thank you for sharing your adventure with us. You've been an inspiration for me and I tried some paper embroidery :)
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and love it! I have a feeling you'll accomplish whatever you set your mind to in the coming year! This is embarassaing, but I just want to learn how to save podcasts and upload them to my Ipod to listen to at the gym. I don't think it will be hard to do at all--just haven't taken the time to figure out how to do it! I'd also like to bind my own journal. Guess I'd better get to that soon if I want to use it this year! ~Roberta
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog today (by googling "crochet edge" haha). After reading for a while, I saw you live in Dallas too! And that you love a lot of British stuff (I used to live in London and still miss it...) I was so surprised! Yes please start a knitting group :D
ReplyDeleteA wonderful and happy new year to you, dear Meredith! :) I love your resolution! Trying new things is a wonderful thing, you always should try to do. :) :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks a lot for your wonderful blog, which I love to read! :) :)
Best wishes, Yoojin
Congratulations! I love this idea of saying yes to things that scare you, of opening yourself up to possibilities instead of sticking to routine. This year I am excited about trying wood burning!
ReplyDeleteCheers.