Every year we publicly share a few resolutions hoping that putting them out into the world will motivate us to follow through. So, without further ado (and yes, that photo of cabinet doors mid-primer is a work in progress)…
Here they are:
Resolution #1 – Get out and travel more: We’re looking forward to making 2012 a year with a few more trips on the calendar. We’ve been invited to speak at the Portland Home & Garden show and the Haven Conference in Atlanta, which is exciting—and a little nerve-wracking—especially since we’re slated to be keynote speakers at Haven. We’re hoping those events will give us a chance to meet readers in person, swap stories, and thank people face to face for following along with the blog. When our book is released this fall we’d also like to do a small tour—nothing massive, just opportunities to connect with readers, answer questions in person, and hear first-hand what projects and posts have been most helpful. Meeting people in real life always adds extra meaning to the online conversations we have every day, and we’re looking forward to the awkward, blushing moments of being thanked by strangers-turned-friends.
Resolution #2 – Make our archives easier to navigate: With more than 2,000 posts spanning over four years, we know how tough it can be to find old projects and tutorials. We want to overhaul our Projects page so it’s photo-forward and much easier to browse, with clear categories and a logical archival structure that helps readers quickly locate inspiration and step-by-step guides. Since we love DIY in all forms, this will also mean learning some new web tools and basic coding tricks to present our content better. Improving searchability and organization will make the site more useful for everyone, and it’s a project we’re excited to tackle slowly and correctly.
Resolution #3 – Find more balance between work and family: This is a carryover from last year because it’s still a challenge. Working from home and running a blog that feels like it’s always “on” makes it easy to slip into nights, weekends, and even vacation work sessions. With Clara in our lives, intentionally carving out family time and boundaries around work feels more important than ever. We’re committing to better routines that allow us to be present with family while still keeping the blog alive and useful. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s healthier habits that support both creativity and our family life.
Resolution #4 – Include Clara in kid-friendly DIY: We’ll keep things age appropriate, but we want to include Clara in small, safe projects—simple tasks like measuring, sorting supplies, or peeling painter’s tape under supervision. It’s not about forcing a hobby on her, but inviting her into our world in toddler-friendly ways so she can feel involved and learn the joy of making things. She already loves the tape measure, so we’re off to a good start. Doing projects together can be a sweet way to share skills and make memories.
Resolution #5 – Simplify and prioritize: It’s tempting to say yes to every opportunity or juggle too many projects at once, but we’ve learned that simplicity and focus usually lead to better results and less stress. We want to resist the urge to be everything to everyone and instead concentrate on sharing honest updates from our little corner of the world. This blog began as a simple DIY diary, and keeping to that spirit—fewer distractions, clearer priorities, and more intentional choices—feels right. Simple workflows and a focused to-do list will help us accomplish more meaningful work without burning out.
So, who’s ready for 2012? We’d love to hear your resolutions or what you plan to focus on this year—whether that’s a short list like ours or a sentence or two about a personal goal. On a personal note, I plan to drink more water, eat more vegetables, read more books, and get back to painting on paper and canvas (I already have the wall and cabinet painting covered). Also on my list: finally watching the show everyone keeps recommending. Is that worthy of a resolution? From what I hear, it might be.
Psst—We’re also sharing a gender-neutral, modestly sized nursery filled with handmade and DIY ideas over on BabyCenter. It’s packed with budget-friendly projects and simple styling tips that might inspire your next nursery refresh.