A non-resolution check up

This New Year I opted for goals that would generally make me happier as I'm not a fan of resolutions. I'm not very good with being told 'don't'. The minute I hear I can't touch wet paint I'm splodging finger prints in it or trying to trick someone else to doing it too. It's just the way I'm built. 

Instead I chose to liberate stash and gleefully cast on anything I felt like in a decadent call to arms that is 'Cold Sheeping' (don't faint). I get a lot of mail and a lot of it is yarn for various purposes and it threatens to drown my stash at times. I also wanted to curl up with a book more often. I thought I'd let you know how I've been going in terms of reading and I'll get you some knitting porn later in the week.

Highs: The Hungers Games, Elizabeth Zimmerman and The Moomins

The Lows: A badly written Judy Garland book that was only saved thanks to great photographs being included and the third book from the Hunger Games trilogy. It seems impossible to capture the momentum of the first books and while it wasn't a stinker, I wanted to be gripped as much by the third as I was by the first.


Finally, I need to declare to the world that I love Elizabeth Zimmerman. I love her writing style, her attitude to knitting and her humour. Heck I just love her ok? I want to read all her books. NOW

Guest blogging

Some of the more beady eyed amongst you might have noticed a new button on the side bar- the 'Rock and Purl Guest Blogger' badge of honour.

For those of you who don't follow the very talented Ruth over at Rock and Purl, she is a designer, blogger and all around knitting genius. I've enjoyed her blog this year and when she put the call out for new guest bloggers I shyly raised my hand and joined super stars such as Shannon Oakey and Mercedes T Clark. It's all very exciting and slightly daunting. 

Here's the link for those of you who want to keep up this year. I'm already looking forward to next Sunday's post.

Perhaps that new year's resolution should be about being brave...??

Traditions

Well it's the time of year for that traditional funk. Call it what you will: 'return to work blues', 'festive blowout' or 'the January doldrums'. Whatever it is, I have it. 

I shouldn't be so surprised, I have it EVERY year. Why? I'm not good with build up or expectation. Let me explain. 

I find myself getting really anxious with this talk of new starts and resolutions. Sometimes I try to play along but mostly I just feel this anxiety to BE BETTER. What if I am not better? What if I don't achieve all those amazingly hard targets I've set myself?

I will admit I understand the need for reinvention. Anyone who has kept an eye on the blog from day one will understand I love a change or two. (I'm now redhead FYI). But I get really overwhelmed by this expectation that we will all strive to be better because it's a new year. I strive to be better everyday and the little perfectionist in me needs a break from all these messages of new improved me quite frankly. It makes me jittery.

Yet, as a blogger I feel a need to add a traditional post, reviewing the year and setting targets for the year ahead. 

.........

Can I get back to you on that one?

Auld Lang Syne

So I'm enjoying 2011. I am taking the traditional of resolutions with a rather large pinch of salt. Last year was full of so much heartache, change and unplayfulness that I had to make so many new starts, I'm loathe to pin anything to a resolution. I hate the gym adverts, dating adverts and diet guilt trips this time of year. It makes me sad.

I do like the idea of freshness though. So while I'm not making any traditional resolutions I have been trying to implement the following changes for a while and will do so with as much spirit as I can muster in 2011.

1. I must stop biting my nails. I have been trying to stop this my whole life and I have managed to grow them long enough to paint THREE TIMES in the last month. Just gotta keep going!
2. I will get back into running. I'm doing the couch to 5k challenge and my poorly hip is coping well thus far. If I keep this up I would like to try for 10k by summer and returning to dance next month!
3. Make more bread. I love my bread machine. I forget to put it on. I feel sad about this. More bread!
4. Read more. I have an annoying habit of meaning to read and getting distracted by knitting. I must read more. Maybe audio books will help this.
   
5. Travel! I managed my first trip abroad in nearly 2 years in December. I have the US planned for this year and maybe something else. Hurrah!
6. Knitting more than I stash. Stop laughing.
   
7. Stashing less than I knit. No. I mean it.
   
8. Continuing to say 'yes' to being social. I have discovered I'm actually more playful the more I'm out. I thought I was a loner. I'm not always. Who knew?
9. NOT be chronically upset that I'm 30 this year. I don't want to be 20 again. I was not as confident, experienced or with the man I am with now. Why would I go back?
10. Continue to learn how to use my camera. Yup.

What are you striving for this year?