2013: The year that will be—a formula

[Continuing my earlier scribbles about 2013—my manifest year. I told you my idea on Tuesday and here's my formula to help make it happen (with one more post soon!)]

{ Something worth internalizing | via }

After coming to a startling realization, and deciding that 2013 shall be my year of making things manifest, I came up with a formula for making it happen:

(A+B) - C = A better manifested me!
(No, I did not mean to make that rhyme).

Confused? Here's what I mean:


A. I started by making a list of things that make me happy—the types of things I would fill my days with if not for normal obligations and work:

• "Getting" something on my own (like, learning a knitting stitch, figuring out what something abstract means, putting together some little organizational system—yes, yes, I'm a nerd, untangling code to make this blog look the way I want it to, how a bunch of seemingly unconnected events fit together and create a huge repercussion—which is what I loved about my art history classes in university)
• A good happy/dramatic cry (from reading a book or watching something—I'm looking at you: West Wing, Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, etc.)
• Time alone
• Watching babies and/or dogs play
• Crafty sessions
• Music
• Candlelight
• Long walks/flaneurs
• Good wine in cozy wine bars
• Day trips
• Weekend trips
• Creating organizational systems (worthy of a second mention)
• Making plans
• Putting something together (trip docs, citizenship papers, scrapbooks)
• Surprising other people
• When I make R laugh or shock him when I know something (a word in Italian, random geography since I'm generally bad at it, etc.)
• Academic lectures (in art history, literature, nutrition, nature and related subjects)
• Reading uninterrupted for hours
• Reading "children's" literature: Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls, etc.
• Keeping lists (quotes, places, books, goals)

B. And then I thought about the things I want to make a priority—either to learn/do/have, but haven't made any effort recently, despite being really interested:

• Italian: I've passively learned, but as I'm a perfectionist, I don't speak nearly as well as I should after almost 8 years with R
• Swedish: I haven't made any attempt because I know I can go to school for free in Sweden...but why shouldn't I spend some time with the basics now?
• Figuring out the perfect blend of things I'm good at and things I like doing to forge the most fulfilling career: I like organizing, planning, crafting communications, creating an experience based on an idea, editing, critiquing, branding...if I put all that in a magic hat, what career would I pull out?
• Until I figure that out, I'd like to find meaningful projects to take on as my normal work schedule allows to help me continue to prepare for a new (future) career by learning new skills (like graphic design), shoring up ones I already have and creating connections with interesting people that might lead to interesting projects
• Better relationships
• Stronger faith

C. And then, I thought about the things that get in the way of that, like:

• Wasting time reading blogs I'm not interested in anymore or trailing cookie crumbs all over the Internets from one random thing to the next
• The Netflix black hole (damn you, automatically-play-next-episode, feature!)
• Being tired
• Foul mood because I am one of those people that definitely sweats the small stuff (family angst, work angst, friendship angst, irritatingness of silly things I have to do but don't want to—like, rolling over a 401-K account, dealing with customer service, etc.)
• Using a rickety 6-year old laptop at home

If I could get rid of C (the time wasters/energy zappers/laziness/etc.), I'd have more time to focus on A (the things I already love to do) and B (the things I want to be better at), all so that I can manifest the life I want...which I might describe as living abroad, being multi-lingual, having relationships that delight me and life work that fulfills me. But...how?

[To spare you a lengthy read—my plan for doing something about this is coming up next!]