I’ve been lounging by the figurative pool, knowing the water is freezing and knowing I have to get in. So this is me, holding my nose and jumping into January 2017, instead of dipping a toe and whining about it.
Let’s get this year started.
That’s what I named my first post of 2016, which was a random post-holiday mishmash of words. It was an effective way to jump into the new year’s writing and shake off the January blues, so I’m doing it again.
Happy Blogiversary to me!
Kiss my List is four years old this month. As it is with marriage, sometimes it feels like I started my blog yesterday, and sometimes it seems like it’s been around forever.
I wrote much less in 2016 than I have in previous years, averaging about one post a week. Everything about my blog has become smaller: fewer posts, fewer comments, less traffic. Two years ago, that would have freaked me out, but I’m comfortable with the pace I’m keeping. There are times when I think about quitting, but I don’t want to give up this space. I hope you will stay here with me!
The word of the year is…
Last year I wrote a whole post on this topic, and chose “embrace” as my word of the year. I considered choosing a new word for 2017, but decided to continue with embrace:
Embrace the people in my life.
Embrace the good things, and be satisfied.
Embrace the changes that will come, and view them as opportunities to take risks and grow.
Embrace being a control freak, and embrace the lack of control.
Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year for 2016 is post-truth, Merriam-Webster’s is surreal, and Dictionary.com chose xenophobia.
Quite a commentary on the past year, isn’t it? I’m sticking with embrace for 2017.
What’s going on
I giddily started using my new planner this week, but I have made absolutely no resolutions.
I signed up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge again, sticking with last year’s goal of 55 books. I’m also doing a more specific reading challenge that includes books in 26 or 52 different categories. I did this in 2015, and I enjoyed finding books that weren’t my usual fare. Care to join me? I’m using the challenge found HERE. I don’t like all the categories, though, so next year I’m going to make up my own.
I had all my Who I Am posts bound into a photo book, and I’m so happy with it! I hope my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
If you wanted to participate in the year-long writing project but it just didn’t happen, I’m creating a PDF of all twelve prompts so you can write at your own pace. Stay tuned…
My new project for 2017 doesn’t have a name, but the plan is to write and mail one letter a week. I was inspired by Julia’s post “The Underestimated Power of Stationery,” and I treated myself to a nice set of heavy notecards complete with my monogram. Letter #1 was mailed yesterday!
I have almost completed Content Brew, which is an online course from Blog Clarity that I originally took a few years ago. As part of the revamp, I’m going through it again, and I’m cautiously invigorated by all the tools I can use to create interesting and relevant content. I struggle with ideas for posts, particularly because I write about a little of everything.
If you would like to see more of certain types of post, please let me know! And if you are a blogger and interested in the Content Brew course, I highly recommend it. Find out more here (that’s my affiliate link, fyi).
Lest you think I’ve been super productive over the past few weeks, Matt and I have also binge-watched the two seasons of The Man in the High Castle. Unlike in previous Januarys, I will not be binge-watching any other television shows, choosing to read and write instead.
That’s the plan, anyway.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve says
Danna Ready to go with you, i head towards this blog for Ahead of this year… Happy New Year…
Dana says
Happy new year to you too!
Mo says
Where did you have your posts made into a book? Even tough I didn’t technically finish chapters 11 and 12, I have previously written posts that will fit the bill for those months and would love to put the whole thing together! I loved participating and thank you and Bev for leading us through that creative exercise!
Dana says
I used Shutterfly, Mo. Thank YOU for being an active participant – I enjoyed telling our stories together!
Beth Teliho says
I LOVE that you turned your memories into a book for kids/grandkids. I’m totally copying you…..BUT…..I need that PDF bc I did not follow along, despite my good intentions to do so. I really will do this, though. It’s such a perfect idea!
yeah….I’m sticking with embrace this year too.
HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! 4 years….that’s amazing.
A few months ago, I decided to start writing my niece letters and mailing them to her. We only live 20 minutes apart, but I never get to spend quality time with her (my fault. I’m one of those people who express themselves better in writing, and I’m terrible about making time for in-person visits) so I decided instead of wishing I were different, I would make an effort to get closer to her in the way I’m most comfortable (and best) with. She. Loves. It.
She’s been writing me back and this has been going back and forth for about October. The coolest thing is, when we do see each other, there’s an automatic bond that’s never been there before. It has brought us close. <3
Dana says
That’s amazing, Beth! What a wonderful way for you and your niece to connect. My niece and I connect on Snapchat – we see each other fairly often, but the daily snaps make me smile.
Akaleistar says
Happy Blogiversary! Hope your 2017 is off to a great start!
Dana says
Thank you – happy new year to you too!
Julia Tomiak says
So many reactions to this!
1) I, too, have posted less often and have seen a drop in traffic, but I, too, don’t care. We are getting our writing out there while leaving time for other creative endeavors.
2) I love “embrace” and almost adopted it as my word this year. It pops up in my head often, a perfect mantra for our current phase of life.
3) How do I get my Who I Am posts printed up so nicely?
Happy New Year!
Dana says
Julia, it was a bit tedious, but I used Shutterfly and created a photo book. I used their text blocks and copied and pasted my blog posts. I’m sure there are typos somewhere in the book, but I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
Jennifer says
I love everything about this… the way your book turned out, the reading challenge, the snail mail…. I enjoyed following along with Who Am I all year, even though I didn’t participate. I may yet get off my arse and do something about that. Happy New Year Dana!
Dana says
Happy New Year to you too! Thanks for following along, and I hope you’ll use the PDF I’m going to create to eventually write your own.
Nina says
We are so similar. I’m also into stationary these days. And notebooks and pens. I’m back into flirting with the bullet journal idea, AGAIN. I can’t it out of my mind. Will probably dive into that. And I’m doing a letter thing this year too. Also had a much slower blogging year and feel totally good about my pace. It’s more manageable and I don’t plan to change a thing about that for 2017. I’m here with you till the end!
Dana says
I’m so glad! I’ve read a bunch about bullet journals, but I do love my planner. Please share your thoughts if you try it.
Btw – started Swimming Lessons today, and immediately thought of you when I got to the first letter. You will be forever connected to epistolary novels in my mind!
Allie says
I love you in this space – please don’t ever leave 🙂
That book!!! Love it so much and it’s the ultimate gift. I want my dad to do something like that…of course I’ll have to do it for him while he dictates but that’s ok.
Content Brew sounds serious…and no binge watching? Really? Ok, fine.
Happy New year my friend. May you embrace every single bit of it!
Dana says
Thank you Allie – I will!
catherine gacad says
i love the photo book! can i ask what service you used?
Dana says
Absolutely – I used Shutterfly. I like their interface for creating albums with lots of text better than any other site I’ve used.
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
That book looks awesome! You will be so glad you did that. I didn’t participate nearly as much s I wanted, so I’m looking forward to that PDF. Content Brew sounds great, too, as coming up with topics has been my biggest struggle with writing lately. I have never taken a blogging course outside of the two conferences I have attended, but maybe it’s time to try!
Dana says
Content Brew is great – so much information, and lots of great tips. I feel the same way about coming up with topics!
Tamara says
The Who I Am book! It’s amazing!!!
I love the idea of jumping into 2017.. like doing a polar bear plunge. Exciting and painful and hopeful and sad and all sorts of things.
We can do this.
Also, four years! Yay! Your blog and Des are the same age.
Dana says
I remember when I first found your blog, Tamara – it’s been wonderful to watch Des grow up along with my blog! 😉
Kenya G. Johnson says
Your Who I Am book is LOVELY!!!! Your one letter a week sounds like a great exercise. I bet you get some blogging ideas out of that once you start writing someone about something that happened. I’m trying to get back. Like you I just have to jump in. I’d thought I’d visit around and see who all has a head start on me 😉 Happy New Year!
Dana says
I like your posts that are little bits of everything, Kenya – just write one of those! Happy new year to you too.
Kirsten says
I love your Who I Am book. What a great gift to give and receive. I love your word choice too and I think all those “other” word choice suggestions for 2016 are ridiculous. Personally, we had a pretty fabulous year. Last year my word(s) were “be present”. I tried hard, but I could have been better. Still working on that for this year. 2017’s word is “focus”. Which kind of goes along with last year’s word, but applies to so many things.
Dana says
I read your 2016 recap post, Kirsten – you did have a good year! Your near-death experience was terrifying though. Focus is a great word – I have tons of focus in some areas, but I could definitely improve in others.
Allie G smith says
I love the word embrace – oh, that’s a good one. I don’t have one yet, cause last year’s word (unmoored) took on a life of it’s own! I’m a little nervous about choosing. I’m binge-watching The Crown right now, but then I will stop, and refocus on writing and reading (I hope). I’m off to read the stationary article. Dana, I LOVE stationary, a little obsessed with it, really.
Dana says
Me too! You’ll like Julia’s blog – she’s a fellow reader and stationery lover.
Marsha says
Love your blog posts and plan to stick around as long as you are here!
Dana says
I’m so happy to hear that – thank you Marsha!
Janine Huldie says
Sounds like a great plan to me and Kevin is actually watching The Man in High Castle by the way, but really not into it here. I have been reading more at night than binge watching though so far, but then again many of the shows I have been watching haven’t returned off their holiday break so to speak just yet. Happy New Year, Dana and wishing you only the best in 2017 now!! 🙂
Dana says
You too Janine! Now that we are done with the tv show, I plan on doing lots of reading at night too. I have tons of books waiting for me.
Bev says
Oh, yay, the book looks awesome, Dana! I need to get mine printed as well.
Haha, the Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster words of the year for 2016 really are quite the commentary…
2016 I also really scaled back on blogging. I intend to do more this year, but still on a much smaller scale than in years past. I’m glad you’ll still be here, though, I thoroughly enjoy “seeing” you here 🙂
Dana says
Thank you Bev – I love “visiting” you too!