One Word 2013

In the last couple weeks, as bloggers have been doing their seasonal posts about goals for the new year, I have several times run across an idea that resonates with me more than New Year's Resolution suggestions generally do. The idea is simple: you choose a single word for the year. A word that will remind you of your focus and that is more of an over arching theme than a goal in and of itself.

I liked this idea and a few days after I first heard of it a word did suggest itself. . . so my word of the year is--

Progression.

We've made some good changes in 2012, H and I, both as a couple and individually, and I'd like to continue to explore along the new paths forged rather than setting a goal of taking off in yet more directions.

For instance, my reading has changed in the last year, specifically my online reading. I've become much more selective about what I give my attention to, prioritizing things more according to the effect they have on me. I used to have a higher tolerance for reading things that bored, irritated, or depressed me, because I told myself I cared about the subject matter or that it was important to me to keep up with some trend or controversy. But if you consistently read things that bore, irritate, or depress you, guess what happens? You become a bored, irritable, depressed person. So what is your net gain? Negative something or other. I deleted about a million feeds from my google reader, cleaned out my list of email subscriptions, and have become increasingly choosy about the books I read as well. I want to invest my limited reading time in things that genuinely nurture, inspire, intrigue, and enlighten. Things that make for a feeling of peace.

I also quit facebook in 2012. See paragraph above on prioritizing what I give my reading time and attention to. The reason I stuck around on facebook as long as I did is because I thought it was the simplest way to keep in touch with people I might lose track of otherwise. . . but it dawned on me that the people I really care about keeping in touch with, I talk to outside of facebook. I've found that since I left facebook life seems a bit different, a little slower and less cluttered. It's a good feeling. I don't intend to go back in 2013, that's for sure.

Okay, I need to be less wordy on each of the changes I'm discussing because this post is turning too long and time consuming. Streamline, Leah.

I want to continue incorporating creativity and deeper journaling into my daily life.

Continue blogging.

Become a more integrated member of the little local church congregation we joined.

Continue spiritually searching, being honest about doubt, thankful for faith, real with God and when discussing God.

There are more things I could write about, but you get the drift. It's a good drift, and I want to keep with it.

Progression.

P.S. Check out the One Word 365 Community. Consider writing your own post and linking up! 

Blogging Every Day in 2013

Note that I am not committing to doing this, blogging every day in 2013. I may decide to give the idea of trying a go, though, and see what that is like. It may turn into a wonderful and much beloved habit rather than just another daily task, who knows?

I just read a post by Elizabeth Esther, where she contemplates but doesn't commit to this very idea, and I started to feel all inspired and my fingers began itching to type.

I definitely don't have time to create an art journal blog post every day, mostly because the way I like to art journal, at least currently, is a bit on the intense and time consuming side, with tons of layers (many of which don't make it to being seen on the finished product) and lots of journaling, even if most of it is covered up by paint. That's my process, yo. And I love it, but it's not something I have the time or creative energy for more than 2-3 times a week.

So, if I blogged every day I'd have to embrace more variety in my posts, or perhaps develop more of a spontaneous, off the top of my head, here is what I'm thinking about today style. That is somewhat appealing. In my real life, especially lately, I can be a bit reserved and withdrawn believe it or not. Blogging authentically is in part an attempt at changing this side of my personality, so I can connect with people better. I am hoping for a trickle down effect.

So if I forced myself to blog every day. . . hmm. It bears thinking about. It's doable. A blog post does not have to take more than ten minutes or so to write (although I have spent much longer on some of the more soul searching ones).

Stay tuned. Incidentally, I do have some art journal pages to share that I've done but have not photographed or written up posts for yet. Maybe that will be tomorrow's offering.