Beginning as I mean to go on

Happy 2015! 

They (whoever they are) say that what you do on the first day of a new year indicates how the rest of the year will go. I hope that is true. We hosted our annual New Year's Day Open House, and a few friends came for food, friendship, and games. I cooked tasty vegetarian chili--from a new recipe--and waffles and a big loaf of whole wheat sourdough bread--from old standby recipes. I knit too much. I exercised just enough (still working on back strength). I (mostly) picked up after myself. I snuggled with David and my kitty-girls. I spun just enough to be able to say I spun. I wrote a blog post and took a picture. I drank champagne. If I only do two or three of those things each of the next 364 days, 2015 will be an outstanding year.

I don't make resolutions anymore. Instead, I pick a word or two to guide me through the year. My theme words for 2015 repeat my words for 2014: practice and finish. I lost track of those words partway through last year, but when I remembered them, life went well. I feel better when I practice yoga regularly. Cooking practice leads to tasty dinners. Finishing cooking by cleaning up and putting away right away instead of 2 or 3 days later makes me more likely to cook again. Daily spinning practice results in consistent yarn instead of skeins that vary because it took me years to finish one bump of fiber. Reviewing photographs reminds me of what I've done and where we've traveled and points me at things I can do better. Writing practice helps me push past writers block no matter what it is I need or want to write. In short, practice creates finishes. Finishing results in something and a sense of accomplishment instead of a nagging sense of dread about things left half- or un-done. Those un-done loose ends take up too much space in my brain and my life.Publish

Honestly, I have never been a finisher or a practicer. I have always started many more craft projects than I finish. I struggled with procrastination from fifth grade (the fist time I had to write a big report) through college and into my working life. I always practiced piano and violin just enough for fluidity but rarely enough for true mastery. This year, I'm striving to be noticeably better about both finishing and practicing than I ever have been. I'll have to ask my parents and my husband if they notice a change.

And now, I have a bunch of party dishes to wash before I go to bed. If I'm truly beginning as I mean to go on, cleaning the kitchen before bed every night is more important the knitting, spinning, or writing, and it will only take a few minutes. 

Comments

[claudia]

Happy New Year! I hope there is a whole lot of practicing and finishing for you in 2015.

[Amy]

With all the "words for 2015" floating around the blogosphere, these are the first that have hit home for me. Practice and finish. Oh, so wise. Happy New Year, and may 2015 be happy, healthy and satisfying for you and yours.

[etherknitter]

I didn't know you were ahead of the curve on the focus word. I've joined this year. Should be an interesting experiment in forging new neural pathways.