First-Day-of-School is a better New Year for me than January first. It feels more like a fresh start than any other day of the year. Even if you don’t have kids in school, can’t you feel the shift that occurs in the fall? Things demand a little shaking up this time of year.
So, I am starting the “new year” with resolutions. I have sorted my many resolutions into prioritized piles. Into the lower tiers I have shuffled those tasks or actions that can wait, or won’t make my life longer or better (like reorganizing the closets, or washing the windows). These are things that probably belong on to-do lists, not resolution lists.
Into the top tier go the resolutions that have been squawking at me the loudest and longest while I go about my other very important business. These are the ones I will focus on this fall, because the others may not really matter, or will happen anyway, without special effort. And I am pretty sure that I can manage just one or two resolutions!
So this year I have boiled it down to two top tier resolutions:
• I will exercise regularly. Exercise that requires effort, sweat, and occasional sore muscles.
• I will be an artist, actively, everyday. Fortunately for me my definition of artist is quite broad, but this is mostly about visual art and writing.
You might say those seem like pretty easy resolutions. And I would agree if we were talking about someone other than me. Because I am amazed every day how easily I can allow those two essential ingredients of a long and happy life to be trampled and buried by all of the things that happen no matter what.
So although these two resolutions transcend ordinary to-do lists, I am going to put them on my to-do lists. I even downloaded a little free app to keep my list on my desktop. And if I get to the end of the day and haven’t checked my resolutions off, well, a little late night sweating or sketching never hurt anyone, did it?
What are yours Fall resolutions, and how will you sustain your resolve?
( A little postscript. I wrote most of this post in the wee hours before my household was awake. And realized that if I was going to write this and publish it, I better follow through. So, once I got my kids off to school, I went to the pool and swam 40 laps! Next time I’ll bike there.)
7 comments:
Jen, great resolutions! I like that you said, "Be an artist, actively, everyday" instead of "Write every day" or "Draw every day" which can sound like commands. My Fall resolution is to check someone else's blog everyday. I always feel inspired by them.
Jennifer, please PUH-LEEZE, do a picture book soon in the style of your rabbit and hen. They are so full of life and characterization. If you don't, I'll write a rabbit-hen story and try to steal them! Thanks, too, for your resolutions. Now, if I can just convince my brain that daily exercise IS play.
Hi Margaret and George (sounds like the title of a good book about a bunny and a chicken...). Thanks for stopping by. See you around, actually.
I LOVE YOUR ART. I know I've said that a bunch of times before, but I truly do. Love it.
Your resolutions are great ones, and I agree about the shift that occurs each fall. Well said. And good job, regarding your P.S. :)
Hi! I just found your site and I love your work!!! and your orange door.I am a curly haired - mom illustrator too, and art teacher in Oakland, CA.
Thanks friends old and new. I am busy keeping my bum in my seat, but I need to visit my own blog more often too. Resolution number 3...blog regualarly. Glad you found me Kieren. Your work is very sweet...have you witnessed Laura M. K. do her work? I have been lucky enough to see her do her thing a couple of times. Love her technique.
I also think of September as the beginning of the "work Year", despite the fact that I haven't been in school in almost 30 years (eek) anyway, I enjoy your work and look forward to your presentation next month at scbwi wwa. I look forward to following your blog.
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