I have been flipping through my January Bullet Journal set-ups, in both my A5 Archer & Olive notebook (called Roisin) and my Sunshine Sticker Co slim dot grid notebook (called Morticia). I keep stumbling upon spreads that I want to try, that I should have included, and more.

Now, in most cases, I have been able to alter and augment a few things and slip in the spreads that I need the most. In other cases, I have stuck sticky notes on pages for February’s set-up.

I am still keeping in the back of my head this idea to start a whole brand-new Bullet Journal, including tons of spreads that I know I probably will not use, but they will give me an opportunity to stretch myself. I am still flipping and flopping back and forth on that one. If I do it, I will absolutely let you know.

I have been focused more on what I have been doing rather than those things where I want to be focusing.

For several years now, I have wanted to create some sort of monthly zine—but I kept putting it off and putting it off. I think that I shall stop putting it off and actually DO it this year. Since you can see today’s date, this month’s might be a bit later than I usually want to release it, since the idea is to release it on the first Monday of every month. So this month, it’s gonna be a little late.

What will be included in the zine? Obviously, each month will have a different theme. However, each month will feature my original artwork, my original poetry, journaling prompts, maybe a challenge with prompts, collage, perhaps affirmations and/or quotes, and things of this nature. The zine should run anywhere from eight to twelve pages each month.

Also for several years now, I have wanted to start releasing knitting patterns again. Here’s one of those spreads that I need to set up from now on. To keep track of what I do and when I do it and when it needs to be released.

As it stands right now, in order not to overwhelm myself, the plan is to knit one test knit (since I have a bunch of colorwork hat patterns sitting here and waiting for me to use them) item per month and release the pattern for said item that month. This may have been better thought out if I had started knitting January’s release in December, but again, this just hit me that I am not fulfilling my dreams and goals here. So, here we are.

I have also been running the thought of a dishcloth and headband in the same stitch pattern per month so that we can all practice new and different stitches. This may be the thing that I do during the month, with the test knit pattern releasing at the end of that month, or the beginning of the next month.

Not for public consumption, except as a finished object, once I complete my project, I also want to sew at least one thing per month. Yes, I am setting the bar as low as I can. If I don’t do it this way, if I plan to push myself harder, my body will revolt and I will be recliner-bound for weeks unable to move farther than the nearest bathroom or the kitchen sink. I hate when I have days like that, much less weeks or longer.

If you read the last newsletter of 2022 that I put out (here), then you will know that I went off on a weird Bullet Journal theme tangent. I have also been thinking about maybe actually doing some of those themes, not in my Bullet Journal, or rather, not necessarily in my own Bullet Journal, but as printables and downloads for others to use and to play with. Again, it is something I have been pondering…and something that also scares the heck out of me, but I have been looking for that one sweet spot that shoves me right out of my comfort zone…and here it is, no doubt about it.

So, if any of this interests you, let me know in the comments below. Ditto if you are not in any way interested in any of it. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome. That’s what the comments are for.

Thanks.