The 2012 Bucket List

We all have things we want to do at the beginning of each year. I make it a habit not to make resolutions – because for me, resolutions are a little like saying ‘last year wasn’t good enough’. I’d rather focus on the positives and actually make goals that will help me have a good year – things I know I actually want to do and that make things a bit more exciting. I know that this year will be both wonderful and also difficult, because that is what life is about. You have to be prepared for there to be sad and difficult things as well as amazing and out of this world things. Mostly, I just want to make sure I don’t head for a slump where I don’t write anything – I want so badly to avoid another summer like I had, where I didn’t write much at all. This year – I will complete my novel, or at the very least, a third draft.

2012 Bucket List:

• Read up to 70 books this year. I read 60 books last year, which is a new personal record. I know, quality over quantity – but I want to look back and feel my mind and heart teeming with new characters and amazing stories that I will love forever. Last year I read some amazing books. I discovered new favourite authors and came away with many beautiful experiences. We readers know what it is to fly with dragons, stand at the top of the world with only air between us and the ground, we know what it is like to fall in love and out of love and feel the pain of betrayal and the joy of redemption. Dramatic, much?
• Complete a novel. And start another one. I’m almost done with Ashes, it will get done by the end of this week. Then I am determined to start the next novel, or at least start planning it. I will not be deterred by my inner critic.
• Persevere with the freelance work – find more places to submit my work, and forge new connections.
• Write at least a short story a month. It will help my novel writing and will also help me practice different things.
• Finish the photo-book of 2011 by the end of February.
• Celebrate all the milestones and small achievements, even if you only have a glass of wine!
• Collect all the little inspiring things you find and see out and about – newspapers, strange experiences, things that capture your attention. You never know when they’ll come in handy!
• Carry on setting up Millicent May Designs with Sarah. It will be a beautiful adventure, worthy of our hard work.
• Travel as much as I can – even if just for a day trip to the seaside, a change of scenery always makes things feel better.
• Take lots of photos. Collect them for the end of the year when I’ll make another photobook.
• Start saving up for things. Don’t spend money too freely, and always make sure there’s money left over at the end of the month. But remember – it’s only money, and life is about more than having or not having money.
• Look after myself better – keeping myself healthy and happy will hopefully make me more productive. I want to remember not to twist myself in knots trying to please other people, and remember that letting them get me down only leads to self doubt.
• Try and meet new people. I’m naturally shy and retiring at heart, but I know that the key to getting myself out there means more networking. Writing is a lonely thing, and I would love to meet more writers. Maybe by the end of this year I’ll have made some new friends!
• Learn something new. Try new recipes, learn how to make something from a craft book, maybe sign up for a short course or two. Keep things fresh and interesting. Look for inspiration all the time.
• Keep lists to add to – travel destinations I want to go to, books I want to read, exhibitions and art I want to see, music I want to listen to, new things to try. Be curious and open minded. I’ll cross things off the lists when I’ve done them!
• Blog at least twice a week. This year I added 100 posts to this blog, much more than I did last year. I’m hoping to add more than that to this blog, and I hope that what I write will inspire you!

So, this is what I’ve come up with so far. I don’t know how much of it I will manage, but I’m going to try for it all – because life is short and there is so much to look forward to. I started last year with some brilliant experiences – Plus London, Thomas Truax at the Spice of Life, Pub Quizzes with friends and family. I hope that this year will bring more beautiful experiences and I hope that this year is everything you want it to be. Remember that for every sad and difficult thing there is to face, there will be something wonderful to dull the pain. We lost a beautiful cat last year, and she was amazing, and I still miss her so much. But we have Flossie and I know that Gigi isn’t in any more pain any longer. There are still family issues for us to deal with but I know that being strong and appreciating the good things will pull us all through. Keep those you love close, and remember to love yourself too.

To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance. ~ Oscar Wilde.