On January 2, I went back to work. The library was quiet, since it didn’t open until noon. I made a handful of lists, checked off some tasks, and got use to writing 20 instead of 19. It feels good to ease into this new year. Classes didn’t start until this past week, January 13, giving me far more time than the past few years to gear up .
2019 was a decent year. My top nine Instagram posts are below, mainly of me, in various parts of the United States. I leaned into taking selfies: on the beach, with my new embroidered shirt, and in Cincinnati with a cup of coffee. I felt like I wanted to document me. I did more travel this past year, to places to see friends, to grow as a librarian and researcher, and to celebrate good things. My little sister graduate from college and got a job! I got more comfortable with doing life by myself, but usually in the pursuit of meeting up with close friends. Or, sometimes, I got more comfortable going to things by myself because I want to see a volleyball game or see a movie. 2019 was about feeling less reliant on others to do things I wanted to do.
2019 also brought me to embroidery. It’s a hobby that taught me to be still and to hold space for doing something I enjoy. And my walls are decorated with my hard work. It’s a hobby that brought me closer to my friends and to my grandma. Embroidery also pairs well with baking, my well-established hobby. I made my signature Andes Mint cookies, for the 15th year, so I’m definitely in it to win it.
Of course, 2019 had it low points. Some death, some heartbreak, and some soul searching. I made big strides in the midst of all of that, and I’m happy where I am as we enter 2020.
But now it’s a new year and of course, the normal wave of resolutions, goals, intentions, and whatever else we call our plans. I’ve got a couple brewing that I wanted to share.
Leave the work laptop at work
I’ve never been one to hold firm boundaries. Things bleed from work into personal life and vice versa. I have never been good at estimating the actual amount of time it will take me to do something. Recently, I’ve told myself all these things about how if I take my work laptop home, I’ll get more work done, after hours. But usually I lug the technology home and never take it out of my backpack until I’m at work the next day. Work can wait and I think the more I leave my work at work, I can maintain that boundary.
Learn how to be a better teacher
This semester I get the chance to teach a full-semester, credit-bearing class. I’m excited to learn this semester, both from the students in the course, my co-teacher, and from myself. I know I’m not a perfect instructor and I look forward to strengthening my practice. I’m also curious at how this sustain teaching will impact my one-shot instruction. I’ve wanted to teach a full class for a long time, so I’m happy to have the chance to do that in 2020.
Travel for fun
I’ve got a few trips on the books for 2020. I’m so thankful to be at a place in my life where I can travel to see friends. We’ve scattered ourselves across the United States and while we are good with phone calls, Marco Polos, and Facetime, it’s nice to be in the same place every once in a while.
Hold space for hobbies
In respecting boundaries like leaving my work laptop at work, it gives me the space to pursue my hobbies. Beyond embroidery, I’m playing the clarinet, baking, reading, and starting soon, learning improv! Giving space for these things allow me to use my creative side and problem solve in a new way.