Sunday, January 3, 2010

Resolution Number One: Connect


As I mentioned in my last post, I've decided to combine my goals for 2010 into big, (hopefully) inspiring themes. As I contemplated my goals for this year, and chatted about them with Richard, I noticed them all falling into different categories and bigger, more overarching goals emerged. Despite them getting bigger, this has helped make things seem so much more exciting and doable to me.

Something I've been thinking about a lot recently is connecting. I'd say one of the most significant things of the past decade for me was the explosion of the internet. For sure, it can be a huge time suck, but because of the internet I have this blog, our etsy store and the ability to buy handmade from all over the world. It has enabled me to connect with people and ideas that would never have been possible otherwise, and so despite all the crazy out there, I am really thankful for this online business.

I do get shy though. I have often been guilty of reading a lovely blog post or viewing a particularly beautiful photo on flickr, and then moving on without leaving a comment. Which is funny, because although I may feel like I have nothing to contribute to the conversation, I have had a reaction of some kind to it in my head. I have felt something or I have something to add, I agree and sometimes disagree, so why not let them know? I often feel like anything I have to say has already been said by previous commenters, so why bother? But, perhaps yours or my perspective is exactly the one that writer needs to hear. However, as a blogger I know what a huge encouragement it is to receive comments on my posts. It may not feel like much, but I truly do get excited each time I get one. Partly because it means someone is listening, partly because it means someone either likes or is in some way moved by what I've written here, and partly because it sparks a connection between you and I.

So with that in mind, I have decided to make an effort to connect with the blogs I read and foster conversation and community more between myself and them. I would love it if I got to hear more from you lovely readers, also! One of my favourite parts of Google Analytics is the map overlay, where I get to see where in the world people are visiting this space from. Japan! Sweden! Greece! I wonder who you all are? Do you have blogs, too? I would love to read them! I know some of you are perhaps also shy, but even if it is just this one time, I would love for you to leave me a comment with the following...

Where you are from and/or live?

If you like, how old are you?

How do you pass your days?

I would love to get to know you all better, to connect. I'd love to hear your thoughts on things, to get advice and to foster community. Hope to hear from you soon!

xo

(oh, for all you google reader users, there has been a bit of a blog redesign if you'd like to pop in and take a peek!)

31 comments:

Amy / Handmade Evolution said...

we are so on the same wavelength with our resolutions post - well very similar wavelengths anyways! resolutions are one of my favorite things so i have been writing away - much more than usual... do check handmade evolution tuesday for something directly related to all things bliss in a teacup! :)

oh and i think you know me already ;) amy. 30ish. vancouverish. web designerish. but soon to launch a very teeny tiny online shop (should be in two weeks - fingers crossed)!

have a good nite - and thanks for the encouragement to comment. you're awesome.

kickpleat said...

Hey Becka, I love your resolution and it's so true about commenting. I rarely do it. I used to comment all the time, but lately I've been letting things slide. Time to commit to comment again. I love getting comments, so why not reach out and say hello. As for us, no introductions necessary!

lyn tupaea said...

what a cool and inspiring post becka (: and am loving the new picture on top - as for me
im 50 i live in brisbane, australia and i am soooo lucky to be your mum xxxxx

Sophie said...

hey! i'm sophie. i live in on the border between surrey and langley (suburbs of vancouver for non-british columbians). i'm a stay-at-home parent/homemaker, for my husband, 2 daughters (12 & 13), and parents. i knit, try to sew, cook and bake a lot, and read a tonne.

you didn't ask, but my favourite thing about your blog is the intersection between craft and politics that you explore from time to time...

Sophie said...

oh, and i'm 34 -- soon to be 35 (the 21st of january).

Dani said...

hi bekah, i'm dani! i had a blog for a short while when i studied in London last spring, but my new years resolution is to actually get a blog going myself!

i'm from milwaukee, wisconsin, i'm 21 years old and an art student at the university here! i love reading your blog whenever you post and taking a glance through your shop, i seems as though we have very similar styles. i've always been a crafty person and your projects and ideas always inspire me!

mon ami said...

As always, what a great & thoughtful post.

After a couple years as a reader of craft blogs and a voyeur of the community this year I finally started commenting on them (and writing my own blog). And I'm so happy I did because I have met some great people (you being one of them) and I now know how wonderful it is to receive comments myself (like yours this morning). I'm glad you shared your resolution and I'm feeling inspired to comment more now too.

happy new year and I hope to see you at a s&b this year too xoxo

oh yeah - I will be 32 in a couple months, I live in Vancouver and I pass my days with my 16 month old daughter and my nights usually sewing or knitting.

carey said...

"connect" was my resolution last year. it's a hard thing to do, but so worth it. so hello. :) i'm 31 and i teach preschool and keep a photoblog. and i love your blog. the end.

atlantictreefox said...

i feel the same way! i love getting comments but i'm bad at leaving them.

i'm from ontario & in new york. i'm 23 & i cross stitch (DUH), play mario, pet the kitcats, & hang with muh boy.

Jan Halvarson said...

Hey Becka!

Wonderful post and my thoughts have been exactly the same way. I wish to connect to my readers more as well. I often wonder too why they don't comment. Perhaps because I'm not commenting? So off I go commenting more with you!

I think you know who i am - but it's been a pleasure to meet you this year.

Best in 2010!

Liane said...

I'm listening!
I'm in NH USA and I'm 30-12. Otherwise known as 42. But I'm way immature (which is different from shallow) so let's just call it 35. :)
The internet is both a time suck and an awesome opportunity to meet people you can connect with. Living in a small town, it's been an eye opener to me to see how many people out there think and care about the same things as me.
Also, without the internet and the design community here I would not be able to work from home being my creative self...which is a gift I am so grateful for.
Here's to connecting in 2010!

Bird Bath said...

hi! loving the new layout it looks great! I've enjoyed reading your blog for ages. love your tone and photos...
I've slowed down with commenting in general - but feel inspired by your post to drop a note a bit more often too.
Happy New Year from Australia.

lesley [smidgebox] said...

yay! here i am with my comment :) i loved this post, it struck a chord with me. I started off reading blogs years ago, and never thought i had anything to add to the comments, or perhaps didn't have the time, or felt shy. anyhow, now that i have my own, i, too, love getting comments. it makes my day! i am going to try this too, more commenting, less lurking. thanks for the impetus!
oh, and we have met too, of course, but not many times, so...i'm almost 32, stay home with my kiddies while i sew for my shop, live in north van and love it!!

sfgirlbybay said...

lovely idea! i too, hope to make more time to comment when i like something (like this!). :)

i live in san francisco, and blog all day at sfgirlbybay.com.

nice to find your blog via poppytalk's tweet!

cheers! victoria

Cate said...

Hi Just saw a tweet and came right on over. I used to follow your blog, but for some reason I thought you had stopped blogging.
So, I'm back, with you and promise to leave comments.
I live in Victoria, fairly new to blogging and hope to get more comments my self this year. Funny how we are all having the same thoughts, thanks for posting about it.

eh.mio said...

i pretty much feel the same way, im shy & sometimes feel there's already enough been said, but it's pretty exciting to get a comment or as u say check the map overlay, makes me so dreamy! Im from mexico city, im 31, i live in the northwest right out of the city. i work as an art director from 9-7 & make my handmade things whenever i get the chance. there it is :)

Jessica Anne said...

Hello Becka,
I do so enjoy reading your blog, and seeing your lovely pictures. I think most of us feel the same. What can we say that has not already been said? I also feel that excitement with each comment posted on my blog. It's so nice to inspire people, and to know that at least one person is listening.

I guess I shall introduce myself now. I'm Jessica Anne. I'm 22. I live in Knoxville, TN. I spend my days taking care of my husband, Brian, our cat, Annie, and our lovely little bright yellow house. I read. I write. I clean. I bake. I cook. I craft. I create. I thrift. I Etsy.

Jillian Frances said...

I really enjoyed this post as it's something I think about quite often as well. One of the reasons I started blogging myself was to make connections with all of the wonderful, creative, inspiring women whose blogs I had been reading for so many years. I've gotten better at commenting (I hesitate sometimes for the very reasons you mentioned), and I love it when people leave comments on my blog.

I'm Jillian, soon to turn 31, native of Northeast PA, currently of Iowa.

Evie said...

great post. i hope you make some new connections there appears to be some lovely comments too. love the new header - very cute, i want those shoes ; )

dahlhaus said...

I've had similar sentiments and queries with the lack of/ my lack of comments too, but I've always appreciated when you've stopped by to say 'hi' and comment. Thanks for that:)
Heather

becka said...

Look at you all coming out of the woodwork! Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments, it has been such a treat reading these as they came in today. I'm so looking forward to this week of browsing through all of your lovely blogs and getting to know you a bit better :)

Unknown said...

I just adore your blog and this post in particular, I really believe in making connections.
So first of all you are my 'beautiful blog of the week', over at my blog Her Library Adventures. Second, I'm Sophie, 25, I live in Mildura, Australia and I write, teach literature, sew and drink tea.
Have a lovely day!
Sophie x

Nikki said...

agh! I think you just plucked a million thoughts from my own head!

Well hello, I'm Nikki, and have followed your lovely blog daily for quite some time now! It's one of my favs :)

I too, am shy. And it shows as I too am so slack in connecting with fellow bloggers!

I'm 25, (just), from Welly NZ but living in Perth at the mo, heading to Canada with my fiance in March to have some exciting adventures! (hopefully).

I blog, I sew, I draw, I paint, I design, I dream, I read, I nap, I walk...

Some day once we're settled in one spot I hope to have an online shop of wee drawings and things, until then, I am just a fellow blogger, plotting my thoughts and findings and creations.

Take care,

Keep up the lovely posts!

xx

Anonymous said...

I was going to write a nice, sensible comment but holy crap! The girl from everybody loves sandwiches reads your blog!

I am Emma, I am 32 and I live in the wonderful town of Featherston, Wairarapa as you know because you read all about it on my blog.

To pass my time I work in PR and like to make things.

jen said...

hey!

I just found your blog through you following through on your new years resolution, does that sentence even make sense?

i'm jen, 27 from chicago, il and i work as a patternmaker and just started my own clothing line, so basically I am either sewing or drawing patterns to be sewn all day every day. I love your resolution to connect, working from home I don't get to interact with co-workers or anything like that, so this resolution makes so much sense to me. I guess that's why I finally started my own blog, so here's to 2010!

Jen said...

A great resolution. I'm right here in the Lower Mainland as well in Burnaby and work and stay at home with my little man who is 2. I blog and read, sew and dream of a future of balancing a modest art career with my already busy days. Your blog is great.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi Becka!

This is a great post... It really is so nice to comment on blogs when you can. I think asking questions from your readers is always a good way to solicit them, especially questions about ourselves. :)

I love the new layout of the blog, especially the to do list in the top left corner. What a great idea. How's the crocheting coming along? I'm glad to see it's number one... because once you learn how it will be something you use forever. I learned when I was nine and I've never stopped since.

Well, to answer your question finally... I hail from San Francisco, CA. Our little city is much like Vancouver, where I have family, too, and hope to visit this summer for a wedding. I'm a student (art education) and a potter, and I write two blogs- (Mud)Bucket, a contemporary ceramics blog, and Everyday Object, my happy-to-be-living-life-journal blog.
Feel free to visit if you like. I'll keep commenting till then! ;)

Jessica Nichols said...

Hi! I'm a brand new reader so I'm starting off with a bang and leaving a comment. :) I feel *exactly* the same way about comments. When I get comments, it makes my entire day. So I've been working hard to leave more comments. It takes extra time, but it's worth it to me. What is even greater is when you go back to a post and you see the blogger responded to your comment! Talk about connecting. I am trying to do that more too.

My name is Jess and I live in Northern California in a town called San Carlos, which is about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. I came here via Poppytalk. Ciao!

April (Everything Little Miss) said...

jessica nichols tweeted about this blog post, and here i am. what a great new year's resolution.

my name is april and i am a graphic designer in boston, ma.

Rebekah Leigh said...

Hello! I am Rebekah too...I live in Bristol Uk, I'm 25...and a half..!I am an artist but I work full time in Health care.. I found your blog through Poppytalk and it is such an inspiring beautiful place! Congratulations. I love your arts and crafts too..Congratulations.I hope you have a lovely day.