Maybe it would be a good idea to set some goals for the year.

[embracingcalm]

After a bit of thought, I've recanted. I think it might be best for me to make some concrete goals for the coming year. This one was so hectic I barely did any reading or made any art. There were also plenty of things I wanted to do and could have done but didn't. Sure I made it through, but I think if next year is going to be more of the same maybe some challenge would help support my mental health.

So, with all that in mind, here is a list of goals for 2026.

Go to Crystal Lake
Finish 25 paintings/mixed media pieces
Take a photo of 58 sunrises
Complete 100 hours of yoga/pilates
Read 25 books
Go Kayaking 15 times
Collect fresh water from the fresh snowmelt in late spring
Grow Marigolds, Sunflowers, Sweetgrass, and Kale
Go on 17 hikes
Buy a bike
Make 100 pieces of paper
Write 1k words (poetry)
Make 12 desserts/sweets
Get my nose pierced
Complete 2 rugs
Make 1 granny square dress using thrifted yarn
Go to 5 local concerts
Make 10 new linocuts
Go with my husband and dog to the park 53 times
Have 6 picnics
Make 1 plein air painting
Complete 5 sewing projects

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It's sort of a lot. I think that might be good though. The pressure was all external in 2025 maybe some internal pressure will help me feel I have some small degree of control.

Comments

[flamingsword]

Whoa! You must be one of those mythical people I’ve heard of with time management skills! That’s so much stuff to do!

[embracingcalm]

No, I just have a lot of free time and would like to develope some time management skills. Even if I only get a tenth of this stuff done, it will be more productive than 2025.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>After a bit of thought, I've recanted. I think it might be best for me to make some concrete goals for the coming year.<<

Go for it!

You might like goals_on_dw for inspiration or moral support.

>>Finish 25 paintings/mixed media pieces<<

That's an exciting art goal.

>> Take a photo of 58 sunrises <<

common_nature has a lot of picture posts. I'm sure sunrises would be popular.

>> Collect fresh water from the fresh snowmelt in late spring <<

Oh, that's a good idea.

>> Grow Marigolds, Sunflowers, Sweetgrass, and Kale <<

Well, I do the first two. I have a landrace, Shithouse Marigolds. I'm still trying to develop sunflowers that'll grow well in central Illinois. But at least last fall I got a goodly number of seeds off the ones that flowered. The problem is that I can plant a hundred seeds, get maybe a dozen plants, and only a few flowers will set seed.

>> Make 12 desserts/sweets <<

:D One of my goals is making a new recipe every month. Some are sweets, some are other things. A favorite from last year was the blueberry muffins from the recipe on Quaker Oat Flour bags. They taste like blueberry pancakes. I'm still looking for a good thumbprint cookie recipe.

>> Complete 2 rugs <<

Braided, woven, latchhook, something else?

You have such an awesome, self-enriching set of goals. I love it.

My list is more prosaic, but I have fun and creative goals along with the practical ones.

Re: Thoughts

[embracingcalm]

Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions! since I'm new and don't quite know my way around I really appreciate it.

my husband and I collected fresh snowmelt for our cats a couple times last year. They both really enjoy it. It's sort of silly but since we bring the dog with, it seems only fair to bring them something back. :)

Well, I do the first two. I have a landrace, Shithouse Marigolds. I'm still trying to develop sunflowers that'll grow well in central Illinois. But at least last fall I got a goodly number of seeds off the ones that flowered. The problem is that I can plant a hundred seeds, get maybe a dozen plants, and only a few flowers will set seed.

I saved Marigold seeds from our garden where we moved before. I probably have enough for acres. I process the petals for tea. This last year was my first where I live now and the climate takes some getting used to. I think sunflowers should do well though.

Braided, woven, latchhook, something else?

I'd like to make one braided and one woven rag rug. I have a king sized comforter that was damaged which I deconstructed, cut into sections and dyed this summer in preparation for the braided rug. I still need to cut it into strips.

[badfalcon]

ooh good luck with your goals

[embracingcalm]

Thanks!