start as you mean to go on

start as you mean to go on

I learned that phrase from cast on, one of my favorite knitting podcasts. It was the title of Brenda’s new year’s episode last year, which was a good one–give it a listen. Brenda explained that the phrase is common in Britain. It’s such a good little set of words to keep in mind if you make new year’s resolutions.

I’ve got a few. I always do. Not that it means anything will come of them, but it’s exciting to write a few down and make an attempt at change.

I thought twice about sharing my resolutions here. They’re personal, after all. But I like hearing other people’s resolutions, so why not?  Maybe making them public will make me more likely to stick to them. 

This isn’t all of them, but here are my creative resolutions for 2009:

* Use my morning “writing time” to actually write, at least three days a week. As much as I love blogging, and following blogs and commenting on blogs, I’m afraid those activities have begun to usurp my “real” writing, which worries me. The blogging will have to shoehorn its way into some other time of day. (You know, all that other free time that I have as a homeschooling mother of three.)

* Read and study an essayist each month this year. Ooh, I’m excited about this one, which is only proof of my eggheadedness. (In junior high, a kid named Raul called me an egghead, and I’ve never forgotten it. He was right, of course.) Actually, I’m so excited that I’ve decided to make a blog project of it–My Year of Excellent Essayists. I’ll lay out my plans in another post soon, for any interested eggheads out there.

* Get more of my work published. I’ve got a few things festering in slushpiles already, but I vow to get out more.

*Knit more often. Even if it’s just ten minutes some days. ‘Cause I started a lace sweater coat in September and the end is nowhere in sight. What was I thinking?

* Improve my photography skills. I have a long way to go, but I’ve gotten so much inspiration from other bloggers out there. Here are a few more with photographs that make me sigh: maine momma. cloth.paper.string. abbytryagain.

So I’m starting as I mean to go on–and posting on a Saturday afternoon instead of during my Monday writing time. Now I only have twelve months of keeping this up!

Care to share any of your resolutions? I’d love to hear them.

5 comments… add one
  • susan Jan 4, 2009 @ 10:39

    Great resolutions. I’d love to hear about your essayists. I like the idea of projects for the year. I could adopt all your resolutions. Yes, even the knitting one! But especially about writing before blogging.

    I came upon this depressing article this morning about how hard it is for people to change.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/fashion/01change.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=winfrey&st=cse

    But I’ve decided to take it as a challenge. I will do that audio essay I’ve been meaning to this year. And I’ll finish the first draft of my novel in 22 days. And finish the second draft this year.

  • Sandra Jan 7, 2009 @ 18:21

    Hi Patricia,

    I’ve heard about you and your family for years (like 15) through the Lori, Nayo, Maggie, Elizabeth clan. Anyhow I’m a little ADD so I haven’t looked or read your entire production here but I’ve got to tell you girl, these photos are FAB!!!! I’m creating a website for a new start-up and would love to know what you use to achieve this clean and polished looK. (My favorite is the profile of the child’s face and the Kithen Aid.)
    Sandra

  • patricia Jan 7, 2009 @ 18:42

    Wow, Sandra, thanks! That compliment means a lot to me: you may have noticed that one of my new year’s resolutions is to improve my photography skills.

    My camera isn’t fancy. It’s not an SLR–it’s just a more upscale point-and-shoot, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28. It does take nice pictures, and I’m happy with it so far, but I imagine I’ll want to move up to an SLR at some point.

    I’m a novice, so I don’t have much advice. I just try to use good, natural light, and I take lots of shots so I have plenty of choices.

    Good luck with the website creation. I’ve learned a lot in designing my own, and it’s almost all fun!

  • Sandra Jan 12, 2009 @ 8:01

    So my first New Years resolution is to try fake eyelashes. Yah, I’m totally serious! I hit the forty something mile marker a while back and soon will be passing into the next decade (at least those are my plans). So what the hey! Any now beyond fake eyelashes my friend Lori and I decided that 2009 will be “The Year of the Imaginary Friend.” The plan is for me to go to public places alone and when its time to sit down I put my coat over a nearby chair with a glass of water sitting by it. So, it looks like I not really alone and my companion is in the bathroom or something. This way I can have the courage to go out and actually look up and around at my surroundings. I think it’s relatively normal for people who are out alone to feel self-conscious, and you miss so much in that state of mind. Going to new places can be really energizing and inspiring if you can create a way to take it all in.
    And the reading thing. Honestly, I can’t seem to sit still long enough to read anything so I’m going to try out audio books for the first time!
    So that’s 3 resos for 2009- fake eyelashes- imaginary friends- and audio books.Ya, I’m good for now! Chao!!

  • patricia Jan 12, 2009 @ 9:21

    Oh my gosh, Sandra, fake eyelashes! I hadn’t thought of that one, but it’s a great counterpoint to your audio books goal! A little brain work, a little glamour…

    Maybe you shouldn’t wear the fake eyelashes when you go out alone, though. It might send the wrong message. 😉

    I’m a big fan of going out alone, and I don’t even think twice about it anymore. I go out for dinner and to work on my writing one night a week, and let me tell you: I look forward to that evening all day! Sticking earphones into your ears is another way to ease the discomfort of sitting alone, or having a book in front of you. Just sitting and looking around does require a bit more bravery, I suppose, but I love the idea of bringing along an imaginary friend. You should definitely develop a fascinating character for her–or him.

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