As usual, I’m late to the party… so Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and Happy 8th Blogiversary to me! It’s always surprising when this site survives another year, especially with my irregular posting schedule. Blogging is in such a state of flux right now; some claim it’s dead but I’m betting it’s only a matter of evolution. I can’t speak for the entire blog world, but I can say I’m feeling quite positive about where I want this space to go.
When I look back at my humble blog beginnings, 180360 has truly embodied it’s full circle name; from losing friends to meeting life-long friends, starting and building a company, from writing embarrassing poetry to trying to form complete sentences and thoughtful ideas — it has been a great learning experience and creative outlet. I intend to keep riding the wave and have several exciting things in store for this site in 2015. Many thanks for sticking with me all these years. I truly appreciate your comments and support!
Along those lines… I know most people tend to knock making resolutions, but not me. I make them throughout the year and generally meet most of them. What can I say? I love making lists but I love crossing things OFF lists even more! Here are some of my goals for the year:
BUY INTENTIONALLY: The brand Cuyana has such a wonderful mission statement: “Fewer, better things.” This goes well with the current “Less is More” trend, complete with capsule wardrobes, artisan-made goods, and simplifying life in general. While I wholeheartedly agree, I can’t help but feel that many of the same websites promoting this minimalist ideal, consistently contradict themselves by marketing and plugging so many products. It takes some serious willpower to not buy everything they claim is “the. best. thing. ever.” They seem to know that I’m longing for that vintage MCM lamp so I can read one of my many unread books under a cosy Swedish throw, whilst lounging in the latest Ace + Jig duster with Aesop hand cream by my side…. It’s a slippery slope my friends. Please tell me I’m not the only one this happens to?!
Several years ago, blogger Joslyn Taylor wrote about her struggles with mindful consumption. She resolved to buy things that she’d have for at least 5 years and that idea has stuck with me ever since. Instead of focusing solely on editing my wardrobe, my goal in 2015 is to pare down ALL purchases, whether beauty-related, clothing, household, toys, vitamins, even food. I intend to ask myself, “Do I really need this?” “Am I buying on blogger-influenced impulse?” “Will this last me a long time?” and most importantly, “Do I truly love it?”
When I started focusing on what I really needed, one of the things that stood out to me was art. I’d like to begin a lifelong goal of supporting artists, in the same way that others support me as a photographer. For my birthday/Christmas gift, I commissioned a painting (see below) by the lovely and incredibly talented, Karina Bania. (Please look her up. She’s amazing.) Buying art, especially when it’s being made for you can be a little scary and intimidating, but Karina was fantastic at figuring out what I liked and ultimately coming up with the most perfect representation of her work in my mind. Not only is it something I will cherish for the rest of my life, I feel better knowing that my hard earned money went to an artist and towards something so personal and special. I’d like to aim to get that feeling from most everything I buy.
RETURN TO YOGA: For many, many years, I practiced and preached yoga religiously. And then one day I just stopped. It was really weird. I had started running more and more, and before I knew it, that was all I wanted to do. After much reflection, I realized this was a huge mistake. While running has been a terrific stress reliever, endurance booster, and body shaper — I’ve noticed that it harnesses my energy in a way that isn’t entirely positive. It might sound funny, but I think I need yoga as the yin to my running yang. I’ve got to return to a calmer mind, peaceful heart and most importantly, I need to focus on my breath again which is truly the key to everything. Maybe taking a break wasn’t a mistake as much as an awakening that yoga is the most effective exercise to make my mind and soul feel healthy and balanced. Thus back to the mat, I go.
FIND A BABYSITTER: This is one of the only resolutions that I’ve failed at repeatedly. Truth be told, my daughter turns 11 this week and I’ve never really had a baby-sitter (unless you count when my parents come to visit once a year or my husband’s secretary helping us out in an emergency.) I’m like the toddler that screams, “I can do it by myself!” Well, the fact is, I don’t want to do it by myself any longer. I dream of having a few hours where I can focus solely on work. I need a break from my kids, because, let’s face it, chasing a 17 month old around is utterly exhausting. But more than anything, my husband and I need to experience the elusive “date night.” The little amount of time we spend together alone has been nothing but unhealthy for our marriage. Well I am ready to make a change! Now if only I can get over these paranoid concerns of having someone else in my house and trusting that they will be a safe and good fit with the most important little beings in my life. Wish me luck…
Happy blog anniversary and the rest to you too. 🙂 Thank you for all of your kind words, I seriously feel so honored to have created a piece for you. I really resonate with so much of what you are saying and wanting to create in your life. My own blog has been neglected too, mainly because I feel like we only have so much time… So along with purchases, I want to try and be more intentional with my time. How to do that is what I am trying to work out now. I also want to return to yoga. I agree, it’s the perfect all around mind/body balancer for me. Thanks for continuing to inspire. xx
Please start writing again! You have such a gift with words too.
kim~ not surprisingly i resonate with so many of your words. i a have such a huge sense of nostalgia for this space in particular, & although i have been saying (forever) that i am going to carve out time for blog READING/COMMENTING, i have yet to do so.
that is going to change. i am in no way ready to throw in the towel in regards to writing/reading/connecting – on the blog, beyond instagram. for so many, many reasons.
but back to the nostalgia part. i am so happy that you have plans in store! it makes me excited to go back to a place of community, sharing, wellness, vulnerability, PASSION…
and as for everything else ^ (the beautiful piece of art by karina~ a girl after my own soul… the buying, the yoga, the babysitter, ~ yes, yes, yes, & YES.
xoxo
I know– it’s hard for me to dedicate much time to blogging right now. But hen I can squeeze it in, I will. Love seeing your posts too.
You don’t have a babysitter? I thought I was the only one that thought “date night” was a mythical thing. I feel guilty at the thought of getting a babysitter… I send my daughter to school all day while I work, I don’t want to leave her with someone just to go eat something with my spouse for a couple hours. I fell off the yoga practice as well. I don’t know how to fit it all in. So I guess in that sense, I’m the insistent toddler saying “I do it my own self.” But it doesn’t work with two of us saying that all the time! 🙂
Your comment made me feel so much better. Always nice to know you’re not alone! It also made me want to babysit for you. I think we both do need to be able to go out and not feel guilty or worried! x
I love the idea of buying intentionally. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve been thinking about this. It’s something I’m aiming to do more so from now on. Plus I pretty sure it’s a huge money saver in the end!
I need to get back into yoga! The holidays were of no help whatsoever. Too much going on and I tend to drop off in January because of the new year’s resolution-ers. It’s kind of amazing how much they drop off starting in February (I saw it mostly first hand when I worked at the yoga studio).
If I could, I’d drop my life here, move to Nevada, and babysit your kids. Maybe then you can be my photography mentor? 🙂
You are so sweet, Marie! Hope you can get back to yoga too. January is always such a zoo at the gym/studio!