The New Year always brings a feeling of fresh beginnings and motivation for change. I don't know about you, but I always have a huge list of things I'd like to improve, just to fail at them literally a week later. I'm a lofty goal-setter but I'm awfully poor at executing my plans. I'm sure some of you can (unfortunately) relate.
When my husband and I sat down to make our personal and professional goals list for 2025, it was filled with the same old same old - wake up early, eat healthier, workout more, get in the Bible, get outside, read more, maximize our time, etc. All the things that generally make you a better human. But.... we've got to be realistic here. There's nothing that happens between 11:59 on December 31st and 12:00 on January 1st that magically makes us able to do all these wonderful things. After failing within the first two weeks of January to make every change at once, I've resolved to reset again two weeks later, this time, more simply.
Personally, I want to slow down and simplify. Read more books (I'm currently reading Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne), get back to sourdough, throw away our seemingly endless clutter, and learn how to relax if dishes are left in the sink or laundry isn't finished. I'm being ruthless with my closet and donating anything I haven't reached for in the past year (minus the things that didn't fit my pregnant belly lol). An Instagram reel I watched the other day convicted me to my core; it said something to the effect of, "You would die for your kids, but would you get healthy for them? Slow down for them? Get closer to Jesus for them? Be the best version of yourself for them?". The mom (and the perfectionist) in me is ready to take control of what I have, and use this year to cultivate the life and home we really dream of having.
Professionally? Completely the opposite. I'm ready to ramp it up. So far in 2025 we have 9 live painting events booked, but I'm eager to take on more. As a live wedding painter, 9 just does not seem like enough! We're starting a referral program to aid with that. (If you're a past client, lookout for an email from me!). I was invited to a wedding show at the Liberty Mountain Resort near Gettysburg that I'm prepping for and SUPER duper pumped about. I want to connect with other local artists and create a little network of friends. Assistant Joe and I are going to figure out how to market better to our surrounding areas of Lancaster, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, Mt. Joy, Elizabethtown, Manheim, Ephrata, Lititz, and more. My current dream is to do a live painting at the Star Barn where my best friend got married in 2023. I have SO many painting ideas trapped in my head that are dying to get out and I am determined to create them this year. I have other organizational frameworks I'm ready to use this year to keep me on track. Overall, Hannah Brauckmann Art has a lot of work to get started on.
Side note: I'm physically incapable of holding all this in my brain, so I live and die by my planner. This planner I got from Target is my favorite. I have strayed to other brands and layouts, but I always find my way back to this one. If you're looking for a subtle, unlined, gently categorized, beautiful planner for your upcoming year, this is the one.
What are you looking forward to in 2025? What goals are you working towards? Resolutions you've made? What small steps can you take to achieve those? Please, let me know. I'm always available for a chat on Insta @hannahbrauckmann.art
I'm looking forward to hearing about it. :)
HB
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