(re)focus

The last few months have completely kicked my ass, and I'm more than happy to say so long to 2008. And as much as I think that resolutions are generally not the greatest idea, I can't help but see a new year as an opportunity for a sort of new start. January is probably the worst possible time to be setting goals and trying to start fresh, but, well, I need some change. So, however misguided, I'm looking to 2009 as a time to re-focus, to shift some things, to hold myself accountable.

As 2008 drew to a close, and work was driving me crazy, it was imperative to my mental health that I start thinking more positively and look at ways to get where I want to be, instead of continually focusing on what's bad (a lot) about where I am. Easier said than done, of course.

I have pages of lists of things that need to be done and projects that I'm thinking about, but I'm not going to go into all that. Worried about getting bogged down in the details, I'm declaring a theme for my year (is that cheesy?). 2009 will be the year of Use What You Have/Finish What You Started/If You Don't Like It, Try and Change It. Okay, maybe that makes three themes, but I think it's all part of the same thing. I'll talk more about my plans as the weeks go on, but I will say that part of my plan is to simplify a bit, to reduce the piles of stuff I have around my apartment, to finish projects I've started, to use up some of the stash, to whittle down those long lists. Procrastinate less, focus more. This isn't meant to be restrictive, just something to help keep me in line, to help me figure things out. I feel a little too much like Cristina from Vicky Cristina Barcelona, who doesn't know what she wants, only what she doesn't want. Sigh.

A year of progress. Hopefully.

I'm going to try and tackle this pile of books that I've accumulated over the past year or so:



I also have a pair of socks a month plan (this is the start of pair #2):



And I have a sweater's worth of beautiful yarn (thanks Anjali!) and the pleasantly difficult task of choosing a pattern (I think I've narrowed it down to Shalom, Sedum, or Drops 103-1). Decisions, decisions.

Here's to 2009.

ps. I didn't quite finish the knitting in time for Christmas, but most of the projects have been completed and handed off. Mom's sweater (larger item #1, the back of which had to be re-knit) is mostly done and just needs a collar and seaming.