10 Intentions for the New Year

It’s not like I haven’t been thinking about this, but somehow the question caught me by surprise.

I don’t like personal questions.

(Why, then, did I sign up for 10 on Tuesday?

It seemed like a way to have fun.  Be part of something without actually saying revealing anything.

Really?  All those answers about dogs and Dude as #11 don’t say anything?

Ok then.)

So, I start to analyze.  Starting with some  Standardized Feedback Questions:  What’s working?  What isn’t?  What would I like to do differently?

That’s a good place to start for just about anything.

Except I’ve been reading “happiness books” (and this one too)  and there is a body of thought that says to focus on the part that is working, study what is going right and all that (i.e. positive psychology.)

At this point my head is spinning as to what approach to use to fulfill the request.

Intention #1: Quit over-thinking I have no idea how this will occur.  (Suggestions welcome.)

But since I have 3 days before that kicks in, let’s procrastinate talk about intention vs resolution:

I see “resolution” as simply more formal and strident than “intention“.  We all have good intentions.

But resolutions are Firm.  Desired.  Goals.

And putting them out for all to see (succeeding or failing) makes them stressful.  I do not want any more stress.

And really, although I may try to steer the boat, I have no control over the river.   I aim for the shore, but I may get stuck in the rapids.

Intention #2:  Go with the flow

Intention #3:  Over-thinking and steering is a form of procrastination.  Less procrastinating, more focus.


Intention #4:  Focus on health

Eating and exercise were on the list last year.  Life changes.  Time passes.  It is a luxury to be able to focus on these simple necessities – to be able to grow and preserve my own food, to have an organic farmer’s market within walking distance, to be able to walk the dog(s).  And I think it is important to pay attention.

Intention #5:  Focus on Clutter

This was also on the list last year.  Some progress was made  (Not as much as I’d like.)

I did have some insight (yesterday actually)  (after years of thinking about it and watching the habits and trying different techniques…)  I want to knit sweaters.  I have this (possibly unrealistic) idea that I can make garments that I would be comfortable wearing out of the house and around others (non-canine others).

Then I’ll run into a moment when I am unprepared for portable knitting.  So I grab something new.  And before I know it, I’ve got 98 UFO’s  instead of working on some larger project.

Then I resort to the snowball technique (not a site endorsement, just the first explanation I found) of finishing up the smaller, easier stuff first.

I have the same problem with books, by the way.  (This was particularly obvious after signing on to 12 in 12 and then being on the road for 12 weeks.  And now there are 19 books on the night stand.)

What I should learn from this?   Step up to the batting cage:  always have the next thing available to read.  Always be one planned project ahead. (There is a wee part of my brain suggesting that I should learn to sit quietly and calmly.  Relax.   Rest.  There is a much larger part of my brain beating it into submission and telling the wee voice to stuff it in a sock.)

Caveat:  There is a risk associated with this:  startitis I’m not suggesting it’s not o.k. to try to be prepared, I’m just noticing the huge gaping sink hole and trying to navigate around it.

Intention #6: bloggy stuff:  Learn photoshop (or gimp), embed  a damn youtube video, properly,

add some counters, more fixing of tags and categories.

(Bwahahahaha.  I think I got that video bit right this time!  Go me!)

#7. Write more

#8. Take more pictures

#9. Create a bucket list (time is running out … what would I like to do in my life?)

#10. *

p.s. All pix are of the new cat fountain (mentioned as #3 in  10 Ways to Simplify  Your Life)

*(Finish.  I’m bad at finishing up, closing out, putting things away.)

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