Last year was all about getting my shit together. Saving money, getting my career on track, getting healthy and fit, etc. I feel like I succeeded in that respect, and then some. Last year also brought many positive changes in my life that went above and beyond the resolutions that I set for myself.
I found myself in a very healthy and loving relationship, which has driven me to find even more balance and mental health in other aspects of my life. I also found myself with a new climbing partner who has become a very good friend and another steady/reliable/healthy force in my life. I didn't have any specific plans to leave my job at Bernstein, but I found myself dropping everything and going to work for a start-up firm with my ex-boss (now, once again, my current boss). The largest takeaway from 2013 was that action and self-evaluation are the only things that will give you the life you want. It's not just going to happen to you. You have to proactively work for happiness.
That being said, I want 2014 to be a little different. I plan on continuing my 2013 goals; now that they have become part of my routine and lifestyle I imagine it will be relatively easy. There is one fundamental aspect of my life that is missing, where I am falling short and left feeling incomplete. I have decided to dedicate 2014, the year I meet my 30s, to be all about creativity. Last year I found my footing, and now that I feel like I am on solid ground I can dedicate my energy to nourishing the right side of my brain (even if that's just a myth you know what I mean).
I found myself in a very healthy and loving relationship, which has driven me to find even more balance and mental health in other aspects of my life. I also found myself with a new climbing partner who has become a very good friend and another steady/reliable/healthy force in my life. I didn't have any specific plans to leave my job at Bernstein, but I found myself dropping everything and going to work for a start-up firm with my ex-boss (now, once again, my current boss). The largest takeaway from 2013 was that action and self-evaluation are the only things that will give you the life you want. It's not just going to happen to you. You have to proactively work for happiness.
That being said, I want 2014 to be a little different. I plan on continuing my 2013 goals; now that they have become part of my routine and lifestyle I imagine it will be relatively easy. There is one fundamental aspect of my life that is missing, where I am falling short and left feeling incomplete. I have decided to dedicate 2014, the year I meet my 30s, to be all about creativity. Last year I found my footing, and now that I feel like I am on solid ground I can dedicate my energy to nourishing the right side of my brain (even if that's just a myth you know what I mean).
I have a couple of projects in mind to accomplish this goal. The first project is to start painting more. So this past weekend I purchased paints, brushes, canvas, and a palette to get the ball rolling. I even have my first project in mind: my take on the Yin Yang fish (according to Wikipedia they are also known as dead-and-alive fish). The image on the left gives you an idea of what I am aiming for. Hopefully I will have something to show you guys in a couple weeks.
The biggest challenge for me when it comes to my relationship with art is learning PATIENCE. I rush everything. I just want to see my final product, the results of my labor, immediately. While I think this approach can give me an artistic advantage because I'm not "thinking too much" about my art, more often than not it creates sloppy results.
The biggest challenge for me when it comes to my relationship with art is learning PATIENCE. I rush everything. I just want to see my final product, the results of my labor, immediately. While I think this approach can give me an artistic advantage because I'm not "thinking too much" about my art, more often than not it creates sloppy results.
The second project, which I've already jumped headfirst into, is writing a novel. I don't want to get into too many details, but I will say it could be categorized as Biblical/Historical Fiction. Writing a novel has been on my bucket list for years and I feel really optimistic about tackling this venture this year. Another project that will be a constant test of my patience.
Last, but definitely not least because I will be committed to this every single day for all of 2014, is my third project. Over the holidays I was gifted a 50mm f/1.8 lens for my Canon Rebel T2i camera. It was initially recommended to me by a photography teacher as the most purchased lens on the market right now, and I have to admit, it has definitely lived up to the hype. It has no zoom capabilities, which really forces me to move around to get the shot I want. Forced creativity!
I will be using this lens every single day of 2014. At the end of each month I will post one photo from each day, which will catalog my daily life and will also illustrate the path I take as an amateur photographer.
Well, that's it for now! Wish me luck. :)
I will be using this lens every single day of 2014. At the end of each month I will post one photo from each day, which will catalog my daily life and will also illustrate the path I take as an amateur photographer.
Well, that's it for now! Wish me luck. :)
RSS Feed
