I gave up on New Year's resolutions years ago. Instead I followed the lead of Maggie over at Mighty Girl and I made a Mighty Life List. What makes this year's review of the Mighty Life List even more amazing is that I had the opportunity to go to Camp Mighty in October and it refreshed, renewed and inspired me. So, bring on the list.
While some people may think this list is daunting or overwhelming, or even limiting, I find that it gets me thinking of ways to step outside my comfort zone, helps me be mindful of the things that are important to me and makes me think bigger then I normally would.
This year I managed to cross off quite a few things on my list:
- Speak in public about something I love- I spoke at Ignite Chicago about My Love for a Chair. I probably would not have pushed myself to do it, but since I added it to the list I had that added impetuous to make it happen.
- Be a guest contributor on a blog- I was a guest contributor on So Worth Loving. I also made some connections at Camp Mighty to help me be a contributor on a craft blog.
- Get a proper mint tea set- my friend Kris went to Morocco and was kind enough to bring me back a tea set.
- Only say yes to something if the response is Hell Yes- I have been pretty good at implementing this one. The couple of times I didn't I could feel immediately how it affected my energy and so I recommit to saying only 'Hell Yes'.
- Clear out my closet and replace it with things I love- I am half way there. I cleaned out my closet recently and I am working on making things that reflect my person style.
- Learn how to use Twitter- I would say I have gotten a pretty good hang of Twitter. I went from being annoyed at it to wholeheartedly embracing Twitter.
- Reupholster my favorite chair in vintage grey tweed (I ended up going for a peacock green velvet)
- Organize my fabric and sewing notions- this was epic!
- Finish the prezi presentation I started, which I use all the time now for my Interior Design 101 Dabble class.
- As much as possible, buy handmade. I bought handmade for myself and for gifts for the holidays.
- Always have something on hand for visitors. I did a lot of entertaining this year, but my favorite was the dinner party we threw when Sheska was in town.
I am looking forward to what the new year brings because last year held so much amazement and joy. Plus I know that gradually, wahida wahida, I'll tackle the items on this awesome list.
What are you going to do next year?
- Find a vintage building and restore it.
- Open a Craft Coworking space in Chicago to teach classes, host events and have studio space.
- Design the quiet zone in the craft coworking space.
- Spend a month traveling throughout France collecting textiles, craft knowledge and speaking French.
- Visit Finland so I can visit Marimekko and some of the other fabulous places with textile.
Speak in public about something I love.- Teach a craft class in the UK.
- Draft a line of my own patterns.
- Write a book.
Be a guest contributor on a blog.- Finish a quilt.
- Take a vacation to a place where I can incorporate bike riding.
- Be a guest lecturer at a university.
- Finally get my tattoo.
- Release a seasonal clothing line.
- Create a line of home accessories.
- Create a fabric line.
Sing at the Park West.- Take a horseback ride in Hyde Park.
- Have a booth at Renegade.
- Finish reading Moby Dick.
- Go to Angola and Morrocco to learn new craft techniques.
Get a proper mint tea tea set.- Return to Iraq to visit friends.
Only say yes to something if the response is Hell Yes.- Create space to do the things on my life list.
Clear out my closet and replace it with things I love- Buy only what I love and what will last.
- For every thing that comes into my space, something must go.
- Take a cooking class.
- Cook once a week. Just cook something.
- Go for a motorcycle ride.
- Write a poem
- Send someone a letter
-
Make a little something and give it away - Leave an ATM (Always Trust magic)note
- Fly a kite
- Do yoga (this is another just do it!)
- Make it to the Etsy front page.
- Write a business plan.
- Help others with their life lists or connect them to someone who can help.
- Be featured on a design blog- any of the one's on Mighty Girl's list will do!
- Be more patient/kind
- Swim in as many seas as possible
- Find out where my family was from in Poland and visit their town.
- Bake Macarons
- Buy myself a kitchen aid mixer
Learn how to use Twitter (edited to add-I am getting better at it...)- Take a ballet class
- Give back through Meandering Design
- Ride a scooter in Italy.
- Be a guest on Ted
- Scan and organize the family photos
- Carry my camera more
- Be an active feminist.
- Play soccer
- Get a 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup truck and paint it turquoise.
- Have a dinner party and serve Iraqi dolma (with the caramelized onions on the bottom-mmmm)
- Spend a week doing absolutely nothing at Canary Island.
- Take a train ride through the slavic countries.
Reupholster my favorite chair in vintage grey tweed.- Have another girls weekend
- Drink more champagne
- Visit my nieces and nephews
Find art for over the fireplace- Crochet more in public
- Feel less self-conscious
- Have a rainy day fund
- Learn how to develop film
- Go on a creative retreat
Have people over more often- Live a life that allows for constant travel
- Go to Scotland
- Fall in love again
- Get all of my sewing machines working
- Have a sewing class for men
Get the contact information for at least one person for each event I attend- Reach out to people that I admire
- Use my Liberty of London fabric.
Organize my fabric and sewing notions- Go to New Orleans
- Make ice cream again
- Try to eat seasonally
Finish the Prezi presentation I started- Make all the electronics in my house work properly
Create printed materials for Meandering Design- Get a loom
- Make a rug
- Dye my own wool/fabric
- Take a sewing class
Take a drawing classRefinish Poppies workbench- Give away the crafty things I will not use to someone who can use them
As much as possible, buy handmade- Rewatch Amelie
- Make a hat
Sew curtains for the kitchenAlways have something on hand for visitors (snack and drink)- Slow down and enjoy my food
- Leave town at least every 3 months
Originally Published 12/29/13
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