April is here
I can’t help but jump on any opportunity for a new beginning, so with the first week of April, I’m starting new, with new goals and new aspirations. March was exciting with our trip to Austin, and our fabulous Mad Men party, but on a more personal level, it was an introspective time for me. Maybe because we had such highs, the other times, the normal times, I felt like I was treading water. So I’m greeting April with more of a plan.
April marks one year since we moved in to our current apartment. It’s hard to believe we’ve been here this long as I’m still in love with our place like it is brand new. We’ve decorated some of the rooms to our liking but there are a few larger projects I’ve been putting off. Mainly the kitchen. Since it is a rental, there isn’t a ton we can do, but the cabinets could use a fresh coat of paint and I’d love to install some shelves for all our appliances.
On the creative front, I want to remind myself to take more photos. To be honest, I don’t consider myself a photographer, it really is just a means of portraying other things, but I do think I need to start pushing myself. I want to be better. Sometimes I just need to take the time to set up a shot (which isn’t always as easy as it sounds when you’re in the middle of making a dish or about to eat it). Mostly though, I just need to get out there and shoot more things, to get past my nervousness of pulling out my camera. Also, I need to trust myself more when editing photos.
This photo is a million years old.
Another always persistent goals is to be more active. I love riding my bike, but I don’t do it nearly as much as I would like to. I know if I make the effort it would benefit me tremendously, physically and mentally.
My biggest goal, and this is more a life goal, is something in three parts. I just need to keep reminding myself of these things always.
1. Put myself out there – I am confident in the things that I do, but I’m not vocal about it. It’s easy to let things pass me by rather than just reaching for opportunities. I know partially this is because I’m really introverted by nature (you may not know this because of the blog but virtual life is a shield for real life). You have to ask for what you want or you’ll never get it. Part of this is that I want to collaborate with more creative people on projects. I do a lot of things on my own, (of course I work with this guy a lot obviously) but I want to branch out. I think working with others is the best way to learn to approach things differently and grow your own creativity.
2. Take risks – This is related to above, but it also means taking creative risks. I’m fairly comfortable with my creative endeavors, and it’s time to challenge myself. April is the time this will happen as I’m going to direct a short film. I’m excited and nervous and have tons to do. It also means trying new things on this blog, even simple things like a little more design in each post.
3. Follow through – I have tons and tons of ideas all the time. Some are big ideas and some are little projects. The sad truth though is that many of them remain only ideas. I’ve been working on at least writing them down so they aren’t forgotten but more importantly, I need to start and complete many of these projects.
I’m excited and hopeful for what is to come. Do you have any goals or plans for this new month or just for life?
Follow-through is a major issue for me too! I’ve recently started writing things down anywhere and everywhere to hold onto them for later. Of course, that’s not exactly making the ideas happen, but I’m working onto that! Perhaps I’ll join you in your April goal. 🙂
Alix this resonated with me so much! I feel like I really really needed to hear part one, because I woke up yesterday thinking, you know what, it’s the start of a new month, it’s the start of spring and I am in control of what it is I’m doing.
“You have to ask for what you want or you’ll never get it.”
So. true.
And I’m really bad at following through too. I have journals filled with ideas that “I’ll get around to” but I rarely do. Time to start taking myself a little more seriously.
Thanks for this post and sharing your fresh start, because it’s to me!
yes a lot of this was inspired by the realization that i have no idea what will happen next and i need to take action on the things that i want while i have the chance. it’s easy to let the not knowing or doubt get you down so i’m just trying to remind myself that dreams are not possible without a lot of hard work. also i feel like this month i’m able to let go of some not so great stuff that has been going on, time for a fresh start for sure.
glad we’re on the same page!
i love this post. i’m always making lists of things i want to accomplish and do some of them. but, it seems time is always flying by. i agree with your goals, and will definitely make more of an effort to do the same.
How exciting that you’re going to direct a short! I can’t wait to see it!
I tend to also have a lot of ideas that never move past the idea phase. I’m generally ok with that because I figure I do move forward with things that are really important to me, but maybe that’s not exactly true. I’m going to re-evaluate that!
Thanks for sharing your goals for April; very inspiring!
i actually think that it is ok to not follow through with everything, you have to stick with the good stuff. often i find that i put off really simple things that i really want to do though. like hem a skirt for instance. it would only take a moment and would make a skirt i dislike into one i like.
i’m glad you inspired. i hope writing this down helps motivate me!
“You have to ask for what you want or you’ll never get it.”
YES! So true! Something I try to remind myself of on a daily basis, acutally.
Hey would you and sean want to come on a bike ride this tuesday night? Trystero/Greg is hosting it. It starts in Atwater, and will go through Glendale & Burbank. There will be airplanes, dirt, bikes and beer. Spook knows where we meet, 8pm Tuesday, April 3rd.
oh cool. i think i know where you guys meet. i’ll check with shawn. i have to say, i’m SO out of shape though. slowest rider ever.
Love this post. If you haven’t already cast your film yet let me know if you need any recommendations for actors–I just cast 2 shorts and have a lot of awesome leftovers from my sessions!
actually i may take you up on that. i’ll email you!
I am so exited that you’re going to do a short! I still hope that one day I’ll be able to watch Brainwashed Love.
I’m with you on the photography. I am a dedicated Instagrammer, so I am *taking* photos but the DSLR I bought for my birthday is gathering dust. Time to be more intentional and actually take the time to make a photograph.
Hi Alix! I think you’re super talented and your photos are incredible. I’d love to see the results of even more focus on your photography. I am also a person who has tons of ideas but fall short on the follow-through. What helps me is to keep an on-going list so I don’t feel like the ideas are simply disappearing. I refer to the list over time and see which ideas actually “stick.” Good luck with your risk-taking, that’s what life is all about! 🙂
hey! just stumbled on your blog through the wormhole of the interweb, and saw this list. it’s perfect! do you mind if i steal your wording for my own personal motivation? (i’d use it to make some giant signage for me to stare down whenever i feel uninspired…)
anyway! love the blog! and all the recipes look delicious…
of course i don’t mind 🙂 thank for asking though.
and hi, glad you found the blog.