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The 2014 Directive: February

January 30, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
The 2014 Directive: February

Can you believe it’s the end of January already? It’s crazy how time flies when you’re having fun… or being productive. In my case, January was extremely productive and my productivity was a lot of fun. I think I accomplished more in one month than I have in a couple in the past.

It’s already time to think about what I need to get done in February and start planning for that using The 2014 Directive. As I was writing this month’s directive I felt like I might be doing it wrong. All of my directives except for one have been creative-related, not lifestyle-related. But then I realized that my directives fit in well with my word for the year (create) and I am okay with that!

First, let’s recap January. I set two directives: to write 30,000 words of my new WIP (my work in progress novel) and to workout four times a week for forty minutes. I am on track to achieve both, by the end of the month. I have workouts scheduled for the rest of the week and a writing night scheduled for tomorrow, with Friday to finish up whatever is left.

I forgot that I was supposed to write notes throughout the month, but here are some thoughts that I have had:
// Sometimes an extra ten minutes would come in handy–I wish I had set a goal of 30 minutes, instead of 40 minutes.
// Writing sucks and is hard. Why do I do it?
// Writing is wonderful and I could do it all day every day!
// I love my novel! It’s the best novel ever!
// My novel is a steaming pile of poo.

Oh, the joys of being a writer. In all seriousness though, writing 30,000 words had a lot of ups and downs. When I start a new project the idea always looks so shiny and pretty and I could sing love songs for it, but the more I write I realize that it’s flawed. And that’s where my lows came in, because as always I wanted my story to be perfect. It wasn’t until I accepted that this draft won’t be perfect–it is a first draft, after all–that the words started to flow. This draft is all about getting my ideas out on paper–or on Scrivener–and being bold. So that’s what I’m focusing on. And once I’m done I can mold this beautiful, shiny, steaming pile of poo into something better.

Now, for this month’s goal: to start and finish a drawing for MN Mermaids, to the point that it is ready to be scanned into Photoshop.

The drawing has three parts: people, house and text. I don’t need to have the text finished by the end of the month, because I’ll be working on that separately, but I should start it. The people will take about two weeks and the house will take about one. I will start with the house for the first week, the people for the second and third week and the text for the fourth. I’m estimating that it will take about 30 – 40 hours to complete the drawing, which means ten hours a week.

I’ve been planning this drawing for a long time and I’m excited to finally start working on it!

The 2014 Directive is hosted by the fabulous Jessica over at Kate and Trudy. Link up with her to share your goal for The 2014 Directive and to see what Jessica and everyone else plans to work on this month!

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily “I love you’s” are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
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