I want to welcome the new year. And I want to welcome you to this blog today and all through 2017. I have been blogging here, in this very spot, since 2004, and I will keep at it some more. I state that I blog about art, craft and creativity in everyday life, but the fact is, the art and crafty projects is now my life, and creativity walks with me everywhere.
I love the promise of the New Year. It is a clean slate to become something bigger and better. To grow, to become stronger, richer and more beautiful than before. But change like that does not come on New Years Day, like a wrapped gift with a bow on top. It comes slowly, often grudgingly complaining and with lots of resistance, and often serving up quite a few setbacks. I’ve had more setbacks than success with growing, planning and changing, but damn if I will let that stop me from trying to grow once again.
I am determined to do some changes around here. Around myself, with how I act, plan, feel, and earn money. In my surroundings, how I get dressed in the morning, sort my belongings and clear out clutter and old projects. And maybe these changes will reflect what I publish on my blog, we’ll see.
Is it time to Quit Blogging in 2017?
I don’t think so. Everyone has to make up their own mind, of course, and decide what’s important for them. For me, I know I will not quit blogging in 2017, even though it seams to be a trend. I’m giving it this year (at least to start with) to see if I find new flow and love for the art of blogging again… Maybe beyond SEO, social media marketing and Pinterest sharing. I know I love your comments, the community feeling, connecting with you guys and writing to inspire, so that’s why I’m still here and will be back tomorrow. I’ve got a good thing going, but change is also good (albeit very scary)…
I got lost in busy making around Christmas, and after that I got the flue and went down like a log. I was coughing so much I thought I’d never stop. That’s a few of the reasons why I didn’t get any blog posts out – but I bet you didn’t even notice? I have been tweeting, instagraming and posting updates to facebook to make up for not creating any real content on my blog. All that is just fluff, the real stuff happens on a blog. The blog is where we have room to exist in a bigger, bolder way. It is the foundation of everything.
If blogging is going away I think the best part of the Internet will be lost, and then what the heck are we here for? So I will keep blogging in 2017, if you’ll keep reading. Deal?
Blogging as a habit
I loved writing my accomplishments list posts a few years ago, but these days, I don’t do that many different craft projects, and in 2016 I’m not sure I finished much. Plus I haven’t been photographing my finished embroidery and textile works as I should. The regular lens of my Nikon camera is broken, and I am such an underrbuyer. A camera lens one of my happiness tools, so why haven’t I just gotten a new one? I am determined to order one next week, no excuses.
I’m reading Gretchen Rubin’s book Better Than Before, about how we create different habits. I’m bummed that I am the type of person who seams to have the hardest with setting habits, being happy and getting things done! It’s not a surprise to me, but I still feel like could’ve fallen into at least one of the personality types that she lists that has it easier than the others. But no, I think I’m all the hard ones. But of course, knowing what kind of person you are and what potentially could work for you, is a really good thing. If you know what your own obstacles are, at least you can acknowledge them better and move around them when possible. And when that is not possible, maybe I can learn to forgive myself better for not being the person I want to be?
Sharing my art, writing and being a blogger are things I want to keep up with, for myself as much as anything. The blogging habit is hard to lose, since it is part of my identity now. What I do want to change about my blogging habit is to plan it better, and post a bit more regular, plus I want to make it more sustainable.
The subjects I want to write more about on this blog is my art practice, which this year is going to be more painting than last year (and as always, I will keep creating collages), my textile art and a bit more about planning, traveler’s notebooks and notebooks in general. I have many ideas of what I want to share, as well as YouTube plans, and I’m looking to create the habit of daily writing.
Inspiration Mosaic – December 2016 collected by I, Hanna.
Click the image to view individual sources on Flickr, or view big mosaic.
Starting Something New
I haven’t giving myself that as a daily count or goal for January, because I don’t want to over-commit the first month of the year (as I usually do). I’m doing daily yoga with Adriane (it’s a kind of Yoga Revolution), and that habit is even more important to me right now. Getting my body healthy and stronger is my main priority for the month (year?).
This “goal” came about on the last day of 2016 when I signed up for the yoga challenge on YouTube and just decided to “do it”. No matter how many times I’ve set this goal for myself before I haven’t followed though with it, but now it’s day 10 and for the first time in my entire life I have done yoga for 9 days straight. That is no small feat around here. To tell the truth (but don’t tell anyone else) this is the most exercise I’ve ever done in 10 days ever, and most of these days I was still fighting of that horrible cold. This is so strange, I can hardly believe myself this is happening. Though not even a whole month of yoga will change my life, just that particular month. Here’s to a great Start!
So now I’ve started the blogging year, and damn it feels so good.
What are you making or planning for this year? Let me know below in the comments, will ya?
No matter how you plan, what you plan or where you are, I wish you a happy creative year! May all your dreams become goals that becomes finished projects and days you’re proud of.
Namaste.
PS: Did you know you can subscribe to this blog via RSS and e-mail to get all new blog posts directly sent to you. Just follow the flow.
That’s a deal, I will reading your blog like the last years.
I don’t like big goals in january – but I started a yearlong practice: Painting/Collageing/Drawing etc. every day in a miniformat: 6x6cm. One little book for every month, here you can see my first week. Nothing great, but the goal is “doing something on one page every day” and I win. Until now, I won every day since the first January.
Jorin
“If blogging is going away the best part of the Internet will be lost! So let’s keep writing….”
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!!!!! I totally agree with this and i hope you will keep blogging, you are a great blogger and i like how honestly you talk. The social medias can be interesting places to share stuff, but my feeling is that we find our true voice through what we write and not only through pictures. So, i wish you a beautiful and creative year and i encourage you to keep on blogging.
That’s a deal, my friend. Hearts & sunshine & quinacridone magenta love to you dear Hanna. Your work and your words ALWAYS brighten my day. That sounded really sentimental, and when I comes to blogging, I really am. I think it is important and I will continue too.
I can’t imagine giving up blogging since it’s so much part of me. I blog to inspire but I also blog to keep a record for myself and also keep pushing myself to be better. I may blog less, but I doubt it. Great post. Thanks and keep up the blogging!
I’m still a reader, and still a (casual) blogger myself, and I don’t plan to stop doing either any time soon. Some of these other electronic platforms just aren’t conducive to the kinds of thoughtful, meaningful exchanges one can have on a blog. I understand why some bloggers are making the move, but they shouldn’t assume that everyone will make the move with them. Do what your heart AND head tell you to do, and above all make yourself happy.
Please don’t stop blogging. You are a true ray of sunshine in the blogosphere.
I agree. Please don’t stop blogging. I love your blog and find it to be inspiring and refreshing.
I’ll still be here reading your words and being inspired by all your photos, stories, and projects! Thank you for creating a bright, happy place, full of creativity and happy colors where we can come visit on the internet! Hoping you feel better soon! Congratulations on your yoga practice – I know how hard, but important that can be. Go, Hanna, go! (That’s me cheering from my corner of the internet.) I haven’t made any big goals for this year yet, but I’m hoping to start some in March. Thank you for sharing your blog with us! Looking forward to whatever you create here this year!
I’m not a big fan of change, and these days it seems like everything is changing so fast. I like old fashioned things, and now blogging seems to fall in that category. For you to have to consider giving something up that you like to do, because it is no longer in style makes me sad. I hate the way people in society tend to jump on one bandwagon and then off, only to jump on the next one that comes along (i.e.social media platforms). I appreciate how long you’ve been dedicated to your blog, and all the effort that goes into it. I hope that you stick with it awhile longer. I don’t always comment, but I am a faithful reader.
Thanks for reading Michele.
I would never consider stopping blogging because it is a trend to do so, but consider that blog reading, commenting and sharing is also going down, and because blogging takes up SO much time, one sometimes feels a bit lonely filling this blog with words, ideas and images…
But no, I won’t stop blogging just yet, since I have faithful readers like you who chime in at times. Thank you!
So glad you’re going to continue blogging. I love visiting artists’ blogs. I don’t have a Facebook account and so blogs are the chosen internet connection for me. The format is friendly and well, I just love blogs. Happy blogging in 2017!
A thoughtful post, and I do hope you’ll keep blogging. I’ve been reading your posts for so long I’d feel like I lost a friend if you stopped. Remember when we were just learning about gesso? I am hoping to write more also this year, mostly to collect some of the genealogical research I’ve been doing for many years, and posting on my own blog, to remind myself of interesting things I see or think about. Perhaps I should add commenting more often on your posts to the list.
Marcia,
I so understand what you mean. I miss many many of my old blogging friends. Many are “for ever gone” since they don’t blog any more and I don’t know what happens in their lives. Glad you are still around my dear, thank you!
Just discovered your blog yesterday- I really like your message :-) While so many have moved away from the whole “New Year’s Resolutions” thing, I have set some goals for myself as I do at the start of every year. I have already made good progress by working to make art/create something every day- even if it’s just doodling while waiting in the school carpool line. I will continue to follow your blog- I find it inspiring and am looking forward to what comes next :-)
I did notice, because I am not on any social media, so I just kept checking the blog every other day. Your blog is too full of colour and positive vibes to give it up. So way to go into 2017!
Awww, you are a darling! Thank you Iryna, for reading, commenting and staying around in 2017. Be well.
I love your blog! Most days (especially this time of year) I find myself pressed for time and only quickly browse social media. But on days when I have time to enjoy a cup of tea or cocoa and sit and read for a bit I love to come catch up on your blog and a few others. I have been thinking about cutting back on the blogs that I follow – I tend to follow a lot when I find a new interest – and now it’s time to narrow it down to those that I truly enjoy and look forward to each time. Your’s is definitely one I always look forward to. That said, if you ever did decide to stop I would understand. Everyone has to do what is right for them, and if something is no longer fitting with your life, time to change it :)
Thank you Laura, you’re too kind. I still enjoy blogging so I’ll keep at it, but I agree with you, there is just SO many fun things in the world of internet. How can we keep up with it all? It comes down to picking a few good ones and enjoying life, our own life, as best we can.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Hanna – I missed not seeing you here so much. Even though I don’t comment every time, I regularly visit and enjoy seeing what you are up to. Gretchen Rubin’s book is a goody – I have just got it out of our library again to tweak up some habits. See you again soon :-)
Thank you Lynette! I’ll never ask people to comment on everything or all the time, but when you do chime in it is great to hear from you.
I loved reading Gretchen’s book even though I always hope someone will give me the magic solution to creating good habits, and even though it wasn’t in this book either, I learned a lot about myself and habit making.
To all my readers: I just wanted to say a big and warm Thank You for leaving me your kind comment on this very blog post. Having readers that read what you write, that share your ideas and find inspiration in your thoughts, is exhilarating and beautiful.
I will not quite blogging, and your cheering and love is the reason.
Thank you! I’m wishing you all the best in the New Year!
I feel a bit sad that those blogging-community seems to fall apart… there used to be a lot of readers on the blogs and nowadays hardly anyone comments on my blog – instead, I get lots of comments on Facebook… grrrr… but I am like you: I will keep on blogging (and reading blogs, although my time is more limited than before) because I agree: my blogposts are the foundation of everything I do in the social media world.
Have a fabulous 2017 Hanna!
I do so agree with you that blogging should continue!!! instagram is fun to quickly look at a few nice pictures but what is the background story, how was it made? blogging is so much richer but I am frustrated too that fewer and fewer people want to find inspiration on my blog while I do explain at length how I make things. People must be scotched before facebook and not creating anymore?
Like you I will doggedly continue blogging…back to creating and forming content for my blog at the same time!
I’m just now reading some older blog posts from the beginning of the year. I hope you’ll keep blogging. I for one love to read artsy blogs. I am a casual blogger, but I’d like to improve my blog. I feel like I’ve met so many people thru blogging and I’m like you, if they quit blogging I feel like I’ve lost touch with old friends. It’s sad that blogging is going away, but perhaps, as social media changes course so quickly, blogging will continue on. I remember years ago when scrapbooking hit the scene, I heard over and over “it’s the latest fad. it’ll never last”. and look where the scrapbooking industry is now.
Keep up the great work. I’ll be a faithful reader (and commenter)