Monday, December 28, 2009

writing is the new praying: non-resolutions for 2010



i'm not super big on new year's resolutions, at least not the traditional kind--you know, exercise more, get more rest, eat healthy, lose weight, run a marathon, stop drinking wine - all that stuff. but during 2009, one of my resolutions was to carry a camera with me at all times and if i can count my iPhone, i did, in fact, achieve that. i also vowed to create at least 100 things and i have also achieved that (photographic evidence of the last few coming soon). in my private, written journal, i declared that i wanted to be a blogger blog of note and that happened in 2009 as well.  so in the interest of writing as the new praying, there are a few things i'm going to do during 2010.



1.) the main thing i intend to do involves these gorgeous moleskine calendar notebooks i scored last month at norli bookstore in oslo. inspired by these beautiful journals by cathy cullis that i saw on flickr, i decided that i want to do mini art journaling in these calendar journals. i also love these. and these beauties by geninne. i know that mine will land somewhere in between and somewhere more me, but it's something i feel motivated to stick with. the small size of these and the fact that there's a different color for each month makes me think i can stay interested. the only drawback is that they have faint lines, but i'm hoping that i can deal with that, tho' normally i feel constricted by lines.



2.) i'm going to embark on a 365 photo project. i haven't selected a flickr group and i'm not sure i'm going to (unless some of you are interested in starting one with me? - do let me know and i'll create it). i very nearly did this in 2009 as it was, but i'm thinking it would be good for me to push through my current lack of photo mojo if i gave it a whirl.

3.) the simplicity project - as you know, we are planning on being very selective about what we buy during 2010 here at our house.  thanks to a great suggestion by glenn, i'm going to keep myself posted/accountable/focused on this quest by sharing a weekly "what i didn't buy" blog with all of you.

4.) a book contract. i want a book contract in 2010.



so there you have them, my three main resolutions that i'm hesitant to call resolutions for 2010. what about you?

26 comments:

iasa said...

i love those journals. Hell yeah start a flickr group. I got a new camera for Christmas, i need a reason to use it.

Elizabeth said...

May all your prayers come true.

MissBuckle said...

I'm in with the 365 project :-)

Jess said...

What a wonderful idea. It seems like it would almost force you to inspire yourself, not to mention something really unique to look back on, pass down, etc. I like this a lot. I look forward to seeing how it goes!

Mrs.Rotty said...

oh i love those journals. they're so pretty.

i can't wait to see your 365 project. i love to see pretty pictures.

Liz Fulcher, The Fragrant Muse said...

It looks like there are 12 journals. Do you intend to work in a different one each month?

My relationship with lined journals is the opposite of yours. I loved composition books and like working with the lines, but have learned to work without them, too by covering the entire page with an opaque acrylic before writing. In fact I usually paint journal backgrounds for days until I have plenty of painted pages ready for words. That way, when the urge to write strikes me I don't have to wait until I've got the art on before adding words.

Re 365 days, my first impulse is to say ME TOO but I know myself and fear I'll peter out around June. If you DO create such a group, what will the criteria/parameters/requirements be? If it's not to actually post something every day, I may want to play.

Hope Pooka is better. Being sick at Christmas really sucketh.

spudballoo said...

Oooh what lovely photos! Gorgeous....good luck with the 365. I'm not sure if I'll do it again. Only a few days to decide. I will definitely do a 'photo a week/whenever' but I think the discpline of a 365 is fabulous.

I think you have to decide in advance whether your 365 is a photo journal (ie. are you mostly using a photo to represent some part of your day) or just a lovely a photo. That would be my advice.

Also, make a list of 'set up' shots you might want to do for the days when inspiration has disappeared!

x

heidikins said...

I love your 100 Things project...I may be borrowing that idea, with a more reasonable-for-me number to hit.

Happy journaling!

xox

Char said...

good luck with the 365! I'm so scared that I will be taking pictures of my coffee cup or the whatnot that I just can't get into it.

love your non-resolutions.

will said...

Decisive moments are often elusive so I wish you good fortune on your quest.

rxBambi said...

I think I'm along the same lines as TFM and Spud. I love the idea of the 365 photo group, but not sure I could stick with it. If the rules are lax enough to do a few a week then I would definitely be interested. Plus I love my new camera too (not the sony... in case I didn't tell you - we took it back and I got a Big Girl camera...)

Love the journals...

Sammi said...

I just got a new camera, not a great one, but I would do Project 365 with you if you started a group!

The Redhead Riter said...

I totally love those journals!

I think you should start the Flickr group, but I don't take photos anywhere near as good as you so I probably wouldn't join. I would once again be the redheaded stepchild LOL That's kind of funny.

Things you don't buy...wow...I could help you on that one because I hardly buy anything since I HATE SHOPPING! :o)

Eva said...

Those are gorgeous journals! I just posted my resolutions too. And, I'm doing another 365 project - I finished one in 2009. They're so fun!

Congrats on Blog of Note! That's how I found you.

Cyndy said...

I'm with you on the lined journals. My son and I spent about an hour the other day at B&N looking for a simple journal that did not have lines. We finally found one (a lovely one with handmade recycled paper) but it was a treasure hunt.

I guess I feel that way about resolutions, too. I know there are many things I need to do, but I do not like when it is confined by a date. If I don't make the deadline, I feel like I have failed, and then drop it. If left to work on my own time schedule, I am usually much more successful. I am all for goals, just ones with looser calendars.

I am afraid that would happen with a photo journal, too. I am sure there would be days that I would have many to share and then weeks with nothing. But you never know. If you gave a nudge (like thought of the day), it might happen. I do know that I have loved how photography has become integrated with my writing and vice versa...

And that inspiration started with you. Thank you!

Angelique said...

I jjust happened on your blog. I would love to do the 365 picture a day. I don't have a camera just my phone, which is a Blackberry. I think it would be a great challenge!!!!! Funny enough I just bought and am jacking it up!!!
Anyway let me know if your going to start the group.

Glenn the TOC said...

Hi Julie, I can't remember what I suggested, but I am glad I could help.

I am working on a new blog. I'll keep you posted when it is done.

I have actually gone over to the dark side (Wordpress). So if you want, you can change the link to me to the following (http://scienceshows.wordpress.com/). My new blog will be on Wordpress, too. I'll send you as link when there is something to read (I am trying something different and it will be a collaboration of sorts).

I check out your blog all the time and I even enjoy it when it is about stuff I am not interested in. I don't know how you do that. Good writing, I guess.

Anonymous said...

365 sounds like too much work! good luck!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Gorgeous journals!!!!!!

Good luck on your resolutions!

Cheers

kristine said...

i've been thinking of doing a 365 project. I'm in if you start one - altho I hope it wont be one of those very strict flickr groups....I travel a lot in places where i dont have internet access. I will do my best though!!

Polly said...

definitely let me know if you decide to run the 365 project and if the membership is not limited, I'm very interested, I need to focus in photography too, kinda lost the mojo...

Lynn said...

Yes! Do a 365! I didn't do Flickr. Simply because it would be easy for me to feel swamped if I add tweeting, flickering, my spacing and every other social network dealy out there. I'd go nuts--and get way more distracted than I already am. hehe. Love the quilts and the journals. Have a wonderful new year!

An Open Heart said...

I had this beautiful little calendar/journal set in my hand twice in the last two months....I still want them and may go back for them.....I love the 365 photo project....I'll contemplate over New Year's Eve and just might join you!

Have a wonderful New Year's Celebration!


S

mel said...

I love (love, love) that bit about writing being the new praying. Have I said that already? And may I play with your 365 group? I promise not to offer up my undies. Actually I'm doing a dry run. Maybe better not commit just yet. I've been toying with the idea for a couple years now, and sort-of started on Jan 2. If I can make it through a week maybe? ;)

Anonymous said...

"Writing is the new praying". I love this. I also love your photos of your journals. The color is spectacular!

Good luck on your 365 project. I've just started one too.

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/

christina said...

i adore these journals! oh they are like a rainbow, you can hold in your hands. : )
loved catching up, over here.
xo