Looking back, looking forward 2022

Thank you so much for reading this blog, making comments both here and on Facebook and generally staying with me throughout 2021. I really do appreciate that you spend time with me.

I have mostly posted twice a week throughout the year - on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I hope that wasn't too much for you. 

That said, I write my blog for me and only me. So if you find things of interest here, it's a bonus.

I don't usually look at the Stats but for the benefit of this post I thought I would. I wrote 96 posts last year. In checking the numbers I found a post that I’d written in July but never published. You’ll be able to see it next Tuesday. 

The most popular post in 2021 was Journal 2021 which received 166 views. And coming in second was Committed to Cloth with 153. It is astounding to me that so many people are interested in what I do. Especially, as I've said, I do this for me. 

So thank you again to those who find me by chance, those of you that follow by email or by blog readers or my Facebook page. I appreciate each and every one of you.

So what is to come in 2022? More of the same really.

Photo tutorials.
Recording my creative journey.
The occasional post on mental health.
Photos of my travels – if I get to do any!
Journaling my Word of the Year 

Sometimes I wonder if I should change it up a bit. But if it isn't broken - why fix it?  

If there are things you would like to see on my blog, please let me know in the comments below. 

Thank you again for sticking with me
Bernice

Word of the Year 2022

There was a clue at the end of my last post which might have led you to my choice of word for 2022.  Did you pick it up?  Don't worry if you didn't - it was a bit subtle - if not totally missable!

I was still trying to decide on a word on December 30th.  Usually I know my word of the year much earlier than that.  I had a shortlist of Flourish, Imagine, Nurture, Growth, Develop, Gratitude and Increase.  But none of them really grabbed me.  I decided to write down what I wanted to be able to say at the end of December about my year.

It became obvious from this list that what I wanted to see was more of the things in the list.  So there it was my word for the year.

I looked through my preparations for {Intentional} in January 2021 and decided that my purpose and my core values remain the same.  I couldn't find suitable stickers so I made my own boxes and typed into them on Publisher.

They are ready to cut up and glue into my planner.  However I am waiting for the delivery of the extra dotted grid pages so the glueing will have to wait.

I found some suitable Bible verses and quotes and wrote those out.

Although I'm using a planner from The Happy Planner, I will be using it as a creative mix of planner, a diary, a journal and a memory-keeper.  I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice

A new planner

 Happy New Year

For many people January 1st is a day when they set resolutions and so often these don't last long.   For the last few years I have chosen a Word of the Year.  Last year's was Intentional.  News on my word for 2022 to come!

Throughout 2021 I followed along with Valerie Sjodin's Plan With Me premium version, although I did do my own version of it.  I'm pleased to say that I've almost completed the journal - just a few gaps to fill in for December.

I had planned to carry on in this journal for 2022 doing a version of what I've been doing the last few months.  However I looked into trying something else.  I wanted to do something creative but easy!

Before I settled on using the Happy Planner for 2022, I binged watched YouTube videos showing ideas on how to use one.  There are 26 HP Squad members and 5 Mentors and eventaully I decided to settle on three ladies: Heather, MaryEllen and Elisa.

I already had some Happy Planner stickers from visits to the US so I knew what standard the products are but hadn't ever invested in a planner.

I decided to buy the Neutral Watercolor themed Planner and the matching stickers.  I also bought Watercolor Recovery theme stickers.

After watching numerous videos I started on pages in the planner.  I started by stamping 2022 over January 1st & 2nd.   I may decide to colour these.

Then I did a little collage of our evening out on December 27th using photos I took at SYmphony Hall and the Cosy Club where we had dinner.

I added lots of stickers.  It was ready to use.  It took me most of a morning to do these pages.  I really need to speed up - but I expect that, as with most things, that will come with practice.

I have also bought other sticker sets and some extension packs.  I think this is a particularly expensive hobby here in the UK.  In the US where there are discount coupons to use at Michaels, JoAnns or Hobby Lobby it is probably somewhat cheaper.

I am looking forward to using the planner during the year.  I hope to make into a record of my year rather than just an apointments book.

More on my Word of the Year next week.

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice