Tiny's Goal Setting For The New Year

I’ve been reflecting on the things that made this past year better for me, and the things I’d like to get better at in 2024.

I thought I’d share my lists, for a peek inside my brain right now.

A few of the most impactful, positive habits and influences that made 2023 great:

• Education – We’ve been in a business “mastermind” group for the past year. It’s more than just about business, it’s about how to be happier/set goals and problem solve. It feels kind of weird to mention it in this newsletter, but I’m just being honest. It’s changed my life as an entrepreneur.  
  
  Why? Partly because the Facebook/Instagram ads we have been running have allowed us to more efficiently find new “besties.” (If that’s you, I’m so happy we are connected now!) It has given us hope and made it feel possible to grow our company, despite the fact that both Grace and I are moms and have added demands on our time. 
  
   
• Exercise – I’ve been going on a daily “run.” I decreased the amount of nerve pain and antidepressant medication I’m taking and decided to commit to a daily workout: pushing in my wheelchair around my neighborhood. The nerve pain is about the same as it’s always been, but I am 100% very happy that I have been really good at getting in outdoor exercise almost everyday since June.  
  
  The movement, being outdoors, and small interactions I have with my neighbors do wonders for mood. I have been inspired for my illustrations on my daily “walk” as well. This is a part of my work day that I prioritize.
  
   
• The information I consume: 
  I don’t consume much media anymore. I find it’s easier on my mental health, and I find myself way too busy as a mom/entrepreneur/paraplegic to have much time for anything besides the essentials – mostly being present with family, managing my health, and creating for Tiny and Snail. Not much time (or desire) to listen to the news or scroll endlessly on Instagram. 
  
  A podcast I have made time for this year is “Feel Better, Live More” by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee— Grace shared this one with me this year, and it feels like I’m sitting down with friends and nerding out about physical and mental wellness. (Start with any episode title you find interesting, they are all good!)

I’ve also been reflecting on how I can make life easier for myself in the coming year, so these are the things I’d like to get better at in 2024:

• Not procrastinating: I carry a lot of guilt about the things I should do instead of just doing them — such as opening up mail (not cards but bills), filling out forms, etc. I want to get better at “eating the frog first” so I can move onto the things I am more motivated to do without feeling as bogged down. 
  
   
• Sharing the stuff I make: I write and draw a LOT of things intended to be shared with the Tiny and Snail community that I don’t end up sharing anywhere. I need to figure out better organization and storage of the content I create so I know where to find it. 
  
  I need to consolidate my content spreadsheets so things don’t get created and lost before ever having a chance of becoming something in the world. (In some ways I know it all lays a foundation for the things I *do* end up making, but I probably end up reinventing the wheel more than I have to.)
  
   
• Being less of a perfectionist:
  
  I need to keep reminding myself that “done is better than perfect” and that people want me to show up as myself, both on the internet and in snail mail. 
  
   
• Be more consistent with the cards I send:
  
  I just ordered myself a new “Ultimate Stationery Stash” because I realized a few days ago that I keep putting off writing cards because I am running low on options. I basically started Tiny and Snail because, as an artist, I felt like I needed to make my own cards in order to send them. Now that I make my own cards, I just need to have Grace send some to me! 😅
  
  I am excited to finally start with a full set of cards for the new year — believe it or not, I haven’t gotten an Ultimate Stash yet, and I’m excited to see how it helps my own card-writing practice!
  
   

The New Year gives us a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and problem solve. 

What are some of the best things you’ve done for yourself in 2023?

What do you want to get better at in 2024?

How can you use this opportunity to improve your systems (and make things easier on yourself?) 

 

Growing makes us happy. Here’s to growing in expected and unexpected ways in the New Year!

Next week I’m planning to share some tools that I’ve found helpful for getting better at anything.

Until then, be well, and Happy New Year!