2011 Hopes and Dreams

That sounds much better than "goals" or "resolutions," doesn't it?

I clipped last year's list from an old post, and it's not exciting. I more or less did, or didn't, accomplish these things:

2010: New Goals and Projects

I want to keep it simple this year, and fun. Here are a few areas in my life where I hope to spend more time:

• Riding my bike regularly, on the indoor trainer until spring
• Continuing to look for a job, and working on my little business
• Continuing to write, and submitting essays to magazines
• Planning and completing more home decorating and gardening projects
• Reading, especially the wonderful non-mystery books I've collected
• Knitting, especially the new yarns I've collected this fall

I did, however, accomplish two big things not on this list: Pedal for Paws, the shelter charity ride I organized with Chris, and becoming a vegetarian.

Taking advantage of a new year and a clean slate works best for me when I choose specific things I'd like to do, rather than the vague ideas above. Here are some of my hopes and dreams for 2011:

1. Ride my bike 4-5 times a week, to lose some weight and also to increase my average speed so I can join the weekly group rides near my house. I also like to walk, so I'll do some indoor walking DVDs until it's warm enough for me to go outside.

2. Try a yoga class. My muscles are tight and I worry about flexibility. I bought this DVD to try too.

3. Finish knitting UFOs: I don't have many, but they have been sitting around for a long time. The beaded seashore scarf, the slippers from Cocoknits, the pink skirt, and the purple sweater are going to get done or else. Wisp, a stole knitted with threadlike yarn, may have to wait for a while.

 
The scarf is much longer now than in the photo, but still not done. It *will* be finished by the spring.

 

This photo was taken two years ago this month. I have two soles knitted, but still no slippers. Oh, the shame.

4. Knit projects for which I already have pattern, yarn, and needles. At least one of the Noni bags.

 
I even have the hardware for this project. Just need to make the time.

5. Read books that have been sitting on my shelves for ages. More about this next post!

6. Try to write at least a little, five days a week. Every author's website advises some version of this.

7. Work on my art/drawing at least once a week.

8. Clean out my email inbox.

9. Spend more time with friends. Stay in better contact. Blog more often.

10. Set better boundaries. I try to be helpful and flexible and accommodating with various people in my life, and sometimes I bend too far in their direction, at my own peril.

There are some other things I hope to work on, too, painting and gardening projects, another Pedal for Paws bike ride, and more employment. I was recently hired as a part-time freelance editor, but I still need either an additional job or more freelance projects to make up my former income. If you know of anyone seeking a freelance editor, writer, or consultant/tutor, I hope you will keep me in mind. My website is here.

While this list is mostly for me, I hope something here might inspire you too. Maybe you have projects to finish, or something new you want to try. If so, I'd love to hear about it! One of the many things I've learned over the past few years is how important friends are to keep us motivated with any and all things we hope to accomplish. Here's to a more hopeful and exciting ride for all of us in 2011.

Comments

[2paw]

Good luck with all your hopes and dreams for the year. You have really thought about what you want to achieve and been very organised, so I am sure you will be very successful!! The knitted bag is so lovely!!!

[Beth]

If I made a list, it would have a lot of the same things on it. You're going to have a great year!

[Leah]

Looks like a terrific list. That rosebud purse will be gorgeous--love that!

Good luck with the daily writing. I am working on the same too.

[Dorothy W.]

That's a great list, nicely specific. I like all the artistic and creative endeavors you have planned. I look forward to the post on your reading plans!

[Kara]

Those are some great hopes and dreams. It makes me very excited for 2011.

[Emily Barton]

"Hopes and Dreams" is much better than "resolutions." I like how specific you are. I could take a page from your book.

[Julia G]

Those sound like great aspirations for 2011! Several are on my list too. I find that nothing helps extend my walks/stationary biking like the shuffle function on the iPod - I always want to keep going to see what's coming up next! And there are many free podcasts that distract the brain while working the muscles.

For #4 I tried the Yarn Harlot's trick of setting up 10-12 small projects with yarn and pattern in ziploc bags to be pulled randomly out of a basket - no excuses of, oh I have to pick a pattern or dig out the yarn. I'll see how it works, but setting it up was fun!

And #10 is good too-- easy to get overcommitted and overwhelmed. Good reminder!