What went well in 2023? What paths do I want to continue on and where do I want to take a different route?
If you want to check back on interannual progress, you can find my quarterly check-ins here. These were also hosted by Yvonne and I loved them a lot because they reminded me to review my goals which kept me a lot better on track and gave me the ability to reset my aim where necessary.
2023
Review
- Get the unwilling WIP list down to 3-6 projects
- Tackle all the WIPs with a starting date before 2021.
- Reduce fabric stash
- Continue habit tracking for daily sewing
- Publish “Spikes & Diamonds” (January 2023)
- Publish another pattern in the second half
- Update all patterns to matching style…
- Publish a special for newsletter subscribers
- Host a sew-along for pattern releases
- Host another Advent Calendar Swap
- Host another Blog Advent Calendar
- Get back to a normal weight.
- Get into a fitter state.
Can we leave it with: December did not go as planned? My back hurt a lot, and I sewed almost nothing… but we are looking back at a full year and overall I enjoyed my resolve to finish projects before starting new ones. It felt good when the list was moving in the right direction. I was at under 10 WIPs when I decided to add a spontaneous mystery quilt along.
I finished all the 2022 projects! There was not that much progress on the “before 2021” group but I finished one and made progress on another. In total, the WIP list went down by one – not much, but a decrease! I will take it and the full win on the reduction in fabric stash. I even compensated my enormous QuiltCon fabric shopping spree. Whoohoo!
With the aforementioned mystery quilt along I did a third pattern release and a second sew along. This spur-of-the-moment addition also explains the (re)gain in WIPs in the last quarter ;)
My main goal for 2024 will be to keep a higher focus on “quilting for fun” even when I am doing something shop-related. So I do not want to set specific new pattern goals – though I do have at least two ideas… Don’t get me wrong, I want to grow, and I want to give the community new patterns but I do not earn my main income by this and I need a creative outlet, relaxation & fun. This balance is hard to find but I want to focus on it in 2024!
What I want to do – though shop-related – because I love the digital puzzle challenge is update my website. I have a few tweaks in mind: A new homepage – different from the blog, the dream of a “members/resources” section, and I want to take the time to research the pros & cons of hosting my own shop.
Will I redo the two advent calendars? I liked the mystery quilt. It was just so much fun! So I am considering options. But I will need a few weeks of distance to truly decide. Until then they will stay on the goal list and I will listen to my heart for the final decision.
2024
Goal Setting
- Enjoy!
- Get the WIP list down to 3-6 projects
- Reduce fabric stash
- Update website
- No-pressure pattern releases
- Update all patterns to matching style
- Pick a special quarterly goal
- Host another Advent Calendar Swap
- Host another Blog Advent Calendar
- Mystery Quilt?
- Get back to a normal weight
- Get into a fitter state
- Add 1,000 Euro to the emergency fund
I also want to keep focusing on my health. I almost reached 25 kilos of weight loss – which felt amazing! – but started to add too many eating exceptions shortly before Christmas. Add in extra events of the season and my hard earned healthy eating went up in smoke. I regained a few kilos. The latter is not so bad but the feeling of helplessnes concerning the eating feels like a huge mud slide. I remember how much better it felt just a few weeks ago. And I know I can do it again. But it will also take a lot of energy and determination to get there again. So this will most likely be my one and only focus until I am fine with it again.
And I want to add a new goal “category”. Inspired by Yvonne I want to add a “smaller” goal for the quarter. One I can decide on when the quarter comes around. It hope to focus it on my main “word” of fun/joy. It might be a fun quilt idea, sewing project, a subgoal to one of the above… Anything that feels right at the time. And I hope at the end of the year it will result in the awesome feeling of having four extra checkmarkt ;) We should set ourselves up for success, right?
I have also added my next financial goal. Because… accountability!
Thank you for staying with me. If you haven’t already, check out the “Best of 2023” post with all the yummy pictures!
Excited to see what 2024 brings. I hope your 2024 has started on the right foot and that you have a wonderful year!
Best wishes
Linking up at
2024 Planning Party @ Quilting Jetgirl
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Reduce WIPs and reduce stash are goals we can all get on board with! I always enjoy seeing your modern quilts and patterns coming to life, Mel!!! Looking forward to seeing your 2024! You can do it, absolutely!!!
Debbie
Appreciate the thoughtfulness throughout your post. From an onlooker’s view, it was a very good year. I’m glad to see ‘sewing for fun’ a priority for the coming year. Hope that can happen for you, as well as progress on your other goals.
Kathleen McCormick
Congratulations on slaying the 2022 ufo pile…that is huge. The release of your patterns and the Advent calendar and mystery were great fun. I too struggle on the weight thing…up and down…drives me nuts. I too will be joining you in that pursuit for a healthier life. Good luck with 2024 and finding the rhythms for life and quilting that make bring you happiness and satisfaction.
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl
I am so glad that my “just for fun” goal has inspired you as well. I hope that you have a lot of fun and joy and satisfaction as you work on (and complete) your goals this year!