To elect

A simple title for a difficult blog post. Well, the blog itself isn't difficult, but the topic is. Making choices, choosing, feeling what suits you and what you should leave alone! Curious how I do it? Read on!

A new year means new plans! There's nothing better than feeling everything bubbling and simmering in December because I'm starting new projects in January—wonderful! But the downside is that I also have to make choices. You probably know how it is!

Back to the beginning

To tame my wild head full of plans, I'm going back to the beginning. I'm figuring out what's important to me in life (slow living, health, feeling good about myself) and then exploring what feels right. Because besides loving painting and being an entrepreneur, the most important thing for me is that I do or make things I enjoy. Feelings, in other words. For next year, I'm thinking about a book, a new Advent calendar (yes, Christmas is just over and I'm already starting work on the next season, haha), and maybe something with illustrated cottages. I'm already getting excited just writing it down, but I have to hold myself back.

Choices

You probably sensed it coming? Yep, making choices! I have very limited energy (hello, chronic conditions), so I've learned to manage my energy very carefully. This means making good choices! But how do you do that?

Rule 1 - You can't have everything...

It often feels like you can do anything, but the reality is that there are far fewer hours in a day than you would like, so I force myself to make choices and not make this mistake (oh, it all works out!).

Rule 2 - What really suits me?

There are many plans and ideas. Maybe you're an entrepreneur too and sometimes see opportunities, or feel the pressure of things that would generate "brand recognition" or increase sales. But not everything suits you. I only want to do what suits me 100%. Just sit down and think about it; if you're completely honest with yourself, you'll always eliminate an idea (or several).

Rule 3 - Don't hesitate too long!

You know how it is: you have to choose, but you keep coming back to it. Maybe this, that, or both. In this phase, I make decisions, which feels a bit forced because, of course, you'd prefer to do everything. I involve my "brain" more, not just my feelings. Just take a realistic look: how much time do I have, how much energy, what's feasible? This eliminates some things and leads to a manageable list. Important: a backup list! You never discard your ideas, you simply put them aside!

Rule 4 - Feasibility check

Wild ideas are great, but they also have to be feasible. In my case, an item must actually be able to be produced (at a reasonable cost). This is where that backup list comes in handy, because ideas often die in this phase (and I think that's how it should be!).

Rule 5 - Enjoy!

Yes, really, it's so much fun to go all out for something. Your project, your idea, your plan! And it's always a bumpy road (it all seems fun, but not everything is; setbacks are part of the process). But when I look back on the projects I've worked on, it feels so good, and I look back on such a great time!

I'm looking forward to it!

The new year is here, and plans are in the works. My list is ready. Time to start researching things; who knows what will appear here soon! I'm curious (because honestly, I still have no idea what it will be, what's feasible, and what will work—exciting!). To be continued, shall we say!

Look... just a few projects from the past year...