2021 Resolutions

“Well, that didn’t go as planned.” That is the sentence that comes to mind when I think about 2020. That, and the quote where CNN reporter, Jack Tapper, describes 2020 as “a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck.” While there were flecks of positivity scattered throughout the year, I’m glad to say good riddance to 2020.

I’m eager to turn the page with this new year. I hope that everyone takes what they have learned in 2020 and apply it to their lives in whatever manner that brings the most joy.

As for new years resolutions… they are somewhat unpopular these days, and I understand why. But as someone who is extremely reflective, I enjoy them. Let’s see how I did this past year.

Below are my 2020 resolutions along with my thoughts in bold.

1. Rebrand DanaChirps. As you can see, I’ve already started this process today. More on this later! So I rebranded my website to Mighty Good Pen and I am so glad. There’s still some work to be done, but overall, I feel good about the progress on this one.

2. DANA GET YOUR BUTT TO THE GYM! Yes, that. Let’s just LOL about this one. I gained 10lbs. Thank you, quarantine, grad school, and work.

3. More painting, more writing, more photography, more reading. While there have been a lot of posts about marketing - many of them are forced and were school assignments. Most posts are not writings I’m proud of. But due to time constraints, I did the best I could with what I had to work with. Once I am able to (at the end of my program), I’ll delete most of them and fix the ones that have the potential to be strong pieces. I did not do as much as I imagined creatively… but this was largely due to the pandemic, or lack of time due to grad school and work.

4. Less scrolling. I made some traction on this. I’m still a fan of Instagram, but I don’t scroll on there the way I used to. I have added TikTok to my repertoire of social media, but I don’t post. I actually find that TikTok has made me laugh and smile far more than the other platforms which has been refreshing. On top of that, I’ve even learned a few tips relating to marketing, business, and creative pursuits on TikTok!

5. Experience as much as I can in and around Providence. Brett and I kicked BUTT at this until things shut down in March. I am so glad we did as much as we could! I can’t wait for things to open up again. I miss the theater dearly.

6. I’m aiming to not buy any books - it’s time I support my local libraries! My exception to this rule would be if I’m stuck at an airport. This also went out the window with the pandemic.

7. Buy as few new clothes as possible. I feel like I’ve fallen into the disposable fashion trap. I do not need ANYTHING. So I’m going to be intentionally pumping the breaks on this! My exception to this is anything wedding related is fair game. I held out for SIX months until I cracked in the boredom that staying at home can bring. However, I have really scaled back my purchases which made me feel good.

8. Continue my education somehow, someway. I was too nervous to say I wanted to apply for grad school in my 2020 post… I was scared I wouldn’t get in or be able to do it. But I started grad school in August and am doing an intensive 10-month program. 2 terms down and 3 to go. With each term, we take 2 classes for 8 weeks at a time. The last day is July 2nd… not that I am counting down.

Here are my 2021 resolutions. You’ll see there are way fewer this year.

1. Graduate grad school and be ok if I can’t sustain my straight A’s. A’s are nice, but if the trade is living life and getting a B rather than an A… I prefer that option.

2. Look into and potentially invest in redeveloping my website. Once grad school is done, I’d like to get some quotes from a developer and designer to clean up and restructure my website. I want to also sort out how I can improve selling my art. Right now I do it through Red Bubble because it’s the easiest, but it’s not the best business model.

3. Spend as much time with family and friends as I am able to (once it is safe to do so.)

4. More painting, photography, and writing… once grad school is done.

One of my good friends picks one word to use to focus on each year (Sue, if you’re reading this, hi!). For me, if I were to pick a word for 2021, it would be “fulfillment.” It is so easy for me to get distracted by other motivators or influences. This year I want to move thoughtfully towards fulfillment in all aspects of my life.