Making myself too many goals to achieve within 12 months.
As I've done the past couple years, I made myself several resolutions to work towards in 2022. I made myself far too many small and big goals. This was probably a stupid thing to do since I didn't achieve half of my resolutions for 2021.
Short Update on My 2021 Resolutions
I recently realized I like making resolutions. Whether I stick with it or not is another story. Last year I made myself four resolutions or goals as I described in My 2021 Resolutions post. Unfortunately, I only achieved two of them.
Losing weight was my main resolution for 2021. I surprisingly lost weight throughout the year despite being a lazy person! I plan on continuing my weight loss journey in 2022, but I decided not to make it one of my written resolutions.
The only other resolution I achieved was to have fifty YouTube subscribers by my birthday in May. Since my channel is "organic" in the sense that I don't market it, I believed this resolution was outside of my control. Fortunately, I exceeded the fifty subscribers before my birthday and have gained a few more throughout the rest of the year.
As for the other two resolutions I didn't achieve, I stupidly didn't put the time and effort into it. I didn't earn any new income or a steady salary as I planned on doing. My fears and concerns (a.k.a., paranoia) got the best of me. I started a Redbubble shop, but I've procrastinated on creating original artwork to upload and sell because I didn't think my artwork was good enough.
The last resolution I didn't achieve was making and self-publishing a coloring book. My irrational fears and concerns got the best of me, and I procrastinated on putting effort towards my book. I even had the images and layout sketched out years ago. I just needed to recreate the images digitally and use a software program to lay it all out. However, I didn't think my artwork and theme was good enough.
Despite not achieving half of my resolutions last year, I decided to make myself four major resolutions for the new year. In fact, I took it further and made myself some additional smaller goals. I'm sure I made myself more room for failure, but I won't know that until the end of the year.
Resolutions #1: Bathroom Makeover
I've wanted to makeover my master bathroom for years, but I've avoided it because it cost money that I preferred to spend on something else.
This past year, my senior dog could no longer hop into one of the two bathtubs for a bath. Sure, I could bathe him outdoors with a garden hose, but I like having control of the water temperature I use when I shampoo and condition his coat.
I, myself, don't take baths, so I figured I could get rid of my bathtub and setup a walk-in shower. My senior dog could easily walk in without having to hop over a bathtub wall as he demonstrated at my Mom's house over the holidays.
Since I'll have to put time, effort, and money into converting my current bathtub into a walk-in shower, I might as well repaint the walls, repaint the cabinets, and update the decor.
Resolutions #2: Participate in My First Craft Fair
I want to participate as a seller in a craft fair. In fact, I was invited to participate in a Christmas craft fair last November. Unfortunately, I turned down the offer.
The pessimist in me is worried my irrational fears and concerns may discourage me from attempting this resolution. There's a large part of me that doesn't believe in my ability to do anything well enough.
However, uploading arts and crafts YouTube videos has been a mostly positive experience. Every new subscriber, although minimal this past year, encouraged me to keep crafting and sharing the results with others. It also encouraged me to try new projects I wouldn't have attempted without the dedication to upload something bi-weekly.
The emotional boost or high that I get from my YouTube channel may be enough encouragement for me to try to pursue this resolution.
There are several crafts I'd consider reproducing and selling at my first craft fair. I could also refer to my YouTube channels analytics to see which videos seem to interest viewers the most. I'll limit the variety of products I'd sell since I'm not sure how my first craft fair would turn out.
Resolutions #3: Self-Publish a Book
I didn't want to give up on last year's resolution to self-publish a book. Last year I wanted it to be a coloring book. This year I just want to self-publish a book. Any book. Maybe the first book I make and self-publish is a no-content planner.
Last year, I wanted to design bullet journals that fit my friends' individual needs. I would've created a Disney-themed journal based on one of my friend's favorite Disney films. I also would've created a Texas wildflowers-themed journal for my other friend who appreciates the beauty in nature.
While I bought quality bullet journals and planned the layout for each, I unfortunately never got around to putting pen and paints to paper for them. I instead gave them the blank bullet journals for Christmas.
Since I already planned two different layouts that could be used as templates for bullet journals or planners, I figured I could modify the layouts and make it into a no-content self-published book for others to utilize if they wanted.
Keeping the resolution broader this year may encourage me to actually pursue it. Who knows?
Resolutions #4: Large Canvas Painting
For some reason, I was gifted several large canvases for Christmas. I don't paint at a large scale, but perhaps this is a sign to give it a go this year.
I may do a couple acrylic pours to create abstract paintings. I could coat it with a thin layer of epoxy resin to protect the paint and add a glossy finish.
I may also attempt to overcome my fears and concerns about not being good enough. It would be nice to paint a nice scenery or still life to show myself that I can paint at a large scale. In a worst-case scenario, I'd just prime over the horrible painting and try again.
Other Small Goals
This year, I wanted to set myself some small goals. These are goals I don't care if I achieve or follow, but it'd be nice to do them if I can.
This year, I hope to:
Keep doing/having more rest and relaxation by taking breaks. Taking breaks was challenging for me when I was in the workplace. I was a workaholic and kept focused on the tasks at hand, not on my own person health and well-being. I think I found a good work and leisure balance last year I want to continue doing this year.
Do more digital drawings/doodles. I don't use my drawing tablet as often as I should especially considering the retail price of the product. This year I want to practice improving my digital drawing skills. Maybe I'd create more original artwork I could upload to my Redbubble shop.
Do less procrastinating. When my fears and concerns get the best of me, I tend to put off the things I've wanted to do for so long. This year I want to just do whatever it is. After all, I won't know if what I did was worthwhile until I complete it and give myself time to evaluate and reflect on what I did.
Learn Adobe Premier Pro. Because I've worked in higher education most of my adult life, I've always made it a point to learn something new each year. This year I want to teach myself more about Adobe Premier Pro. While my current video editing software is good, Adobe Premier Pro has greater features that could make my YouTube and family home videos better quality.
Attempt using a 3D pen. I was gifted a 3D pen that's sat on a shelf collecting dust for years. I need to use it to decide if it's a worthwhile craft tool for me.
Enjoy arts, crafts, and games. When I worked full-time, I always put work responsibilities and family wants before myself. I rarely spent time to enjoy life which, if you've read some of my early posts of 2020, you may recall led to me leaving the workplace to care for my health, happiness, and well-being. I've found that maintaining my hobbies is a great way to find some happiness in life. It's also a great way to relieve stress during some of the difficult times in life.
My Thoughts
After failing half of the resolutions that I set for myself last year, I'm confident I won't achieve all the resolutions and small goals I set for myself in 2022!
While that last super long sentence reflected my pessimism, I won't feel bad if I don't achieve all the resolutions that I set for myself. I'd be happy if I achieve one and attempted to pursue at least one other.
I just started setting new year's resolutions two years ago, so making resolutions are new to me. I'm still figuring out how many and what type of resolutions are realistically achievable and obtainable for me.
Regardless of whether I achieve all or none of my resolutions, spending the time to consider my goals for the year is a great reflection activity. At least I'm aware of what changes I want to make for myself and why.
What's Next?
I've already started planning all four of my resolutions. For me, planning is easy. It's the application that I sometimes put off for reasons. Worst-case I drop a resolution on Ditch New Year's Resolution Day (17th January 2022).
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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