trail markers

Isn’t the beginning of spring lovely? To me, spring feels more like the beginning of a new year than January first does.

I have to say I’m happy to close the book on 2017. Not that it wasn’t great on the whole, but certain (ahem) factors made it feel like one big mess. I hope in 2018 there are fewer things to protest and more positive things on which to focus our attention. The year became a bit of a blur, so I consulted my calendar as a reminder of how great my year actually was. Here are the highlights:

• Vended at three holiday craft fairs and my first Urban Hive Market
• Saw “The King and I” at the Pantages
• Saw comedians Chris Hardwick and Mike Birbiglia
• Concerts: Sigur Ros (twice), Nick Cave, Eric Clapton, Gorillaz, and Ben Folds (with Tall Heights)
• Did live painting at the Irvine Children’s Museum Pretend City
• Had Dad over for the first time
• Spent three days in San Diego with Mom
• Got a logo/branding system professionally designed
• Went to a conference in Austin
• Went to Pittsburgh for a weekend to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary
• Completed the first half of an educational coloring book
• Started my first YA novel
• Learned more about politics than I ever cared or intended to
• Created a VLB Facebook page
• Curated my Instagram (and started another one…and another one)
• Published 21 blog posts
• Had zero sick days from work
• Joined Jeff Goins master class; completed the Intentional Blog course (but have yet to implement what I’ve learned…oops)
• Was a student of Lauren Hom’s inaugural Passion to Paid course

I’m often so focused on where I need to go (metaphorically speaking) that I tend to forget where I’ve been.

Living by to-do lists can do a number on your memory of the trail you’ve blazed thus far. Looking back at the trail markers helps bring things into perspective when you feel like you’re always on the go but not really getting anywhere, to sit and appreciate the progress you’ve made and the times you’ve stopped to smell the roses.

I’ve been out of the habit of writing weekly blog posts, and it honestly makes me feel like a bit of a failure. I know I’m not providing value to hundreds of people eagerly anticipating a new post, but even if no one notices but myself, consistent output makes me feel like I’m getting somewhere.  The habit of leaving markers, even in the form of an inconsequential blog post, may have its value somewhere further down the road.

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