Oh my word! I had full intentions of doing an end-of-the-year blog post about my lack of success in reading the books on my Must Read in 2014 list, and now I can't even find the list! I've searched the desk, behind the desk, behind the printer, I've looked out the window, I've poured a glass of wine, I've searched again, ... So, suffice it to say, I read some of the books on the 2014 list, I started some of the books on the 2014 list, I abandoned some of the books on the 2014 list, and the rest I either will roll over to my 2015 list (assuming, obviously, that I find the list), and some I will forego. You can thank me now for not providing you with a list to further add to your overwhelming to-read pile. You're welcome.
I've been feeling a little under-inspired on the blogging front. My last post was from September 1. September 1! That's four months ago. Geesh. Life seemed to get in the way and to be honest, I'm not a good blogger at 9:30 at night after a full day's work and the normal nighttime routine of a certain five-year-old who occupies our house. But, even though I haven't been writing, I have been thinking. My last post was on my "I CAN" statements. To switch things up, I've been thinking a lot about what I need to change as a writer or blogger. I'm thinking about it as I don't have to keep-up-with-the-Jones's anymore. I love reading other's blog posts and I will certainly continue to do that. But, I'm giving myself permission to not feel the need to blog every day or every week.
Which leads me to my One Little Word for this year (boy, I'm really cramming in all of the end of the year/beginning of the year stuff, huh?): SIMPLIFY. My life is hectic--wonderful, but hectic. I know you all know what I'm talking about because your lives are hectic, too. I really want to focus this year on a few things I ENJOY doing and do those things even better. So here goes--my plan on simplifying:
1. I will only read books I think sound good, without caring if they're children's, adult, fiction, nonfiction, or professional. I love to keep up with current books for my classroom, so I'll certainly keep doing that, but I will also acknowledge that it is okay to read and enjoy books written for adults. Seriously--My kid to adult reading ratio is 10:1, at least. I will no longer feel guilty! (haha)
2. I will blog about things in my classroom that I think will help other teachers. For example, when I have a creative, innovative take on teaching something, I will write about it in the hopes that others can use the idea. We're always trying to NOT recreate the wheel, right? I love getting ideas from blogs, Pinterest, collaboration, etc. I will not feel guilty about not participating in memes. I love reading memes that other bloggers write, I just struggle with getting them done on time, leading to that feeling of having too much on my plate and having to sacrifice something, hence the guilt. Common theme for me, apparently, huh?
3. I will attempt to work on a fiction writing piece that I started two years ago. I think it's a decent start. I also think it'd be really cool to get some online feedback. The piece is currently historical fiction for intermediate grade kids. Actually, it goes back and forth between present-day and the 1850s. I will be okay with only writing a sentence a day, if that's all I can do. But, I need to work on it and get it out there. It's the only way for it to progress.
4. Here's my other idea to simplify (and honestly, this could go either way--simple or complicating): I want to pick up something like needlepoint. What?!?! Out of left field, right? Well, I used to love doing crafts. I've discovered scrapbooking and card making are not for me, but I think I could like needlepoint or cross-stitch. Here comes the guilt part again, though--I will attempt to not feel guilty that I'm needlepointing and not reading or writing or grading or planning or whatever else my conscience will come up with. My mother is a knitter (I'm not that advanced yet) and my mother-in-law is a needle pointer and cross-stitcher. I love that both women can create something beautiful out of yarn. I want to try it too! I actually think it might be soothing, and dare I say it...simple (because I'll have the pattern created for eight-year-olds...)
So, here's to trying new things, letting go of some of the old, and ALWAYS holding near what is dear and valuable to you. Read, blog, write, sew, and if I was being really ambitious, I would have some goal on there about cooking more (because I truly do love to cook), but I'm sticking with my OLW: SIMPLIFY. Here goes it!
