Two years ago I set out on a completely unreasonable journey for my new years resolutions. They were so far overreaching that it was hilarious. It demanded a level of productivity from me that I haven’t had since I was in school, and probably not even then. Completely unobtainable. Then last year I just didn’t bother to have resolutions, and the same with this year. It’s such a tacky phrase anyway. I’m going to guess and say that 99% of new years resolutions never come to fruition. Probably more. Possibly less. However I think I’m in the right range, the right ballpark so to speak. 

This year I have simply established some goals for myself which the phrasing of just sounds much more reasonable than “Resolutions”. Much more obtainable, achievable, etc. I really think I can get about half of them accomplished if I put in a little effort. Maybe even a majority of them with moderate effort and some luck. The real key is going to be not beating myself up over not getting them all 100% accomplished in three months.

I am an impatient perfectionist. It’s all gotta be done right and right now. Preferably yesterday and flawless. Intellectually I’m well aware that’s insane and ridiculous and impossible. But here I am thinking it anyway. Like this blog for example: far from perfect record of monthly posts, spelling errors, some posts with visuals, some without. Definitely not a perfect blog. But which one is? I couldn’t even begin to say or fathom an answer. It’s not like there’s any shortage of blogs and websites. But the perfect or best one? Absolutely not even going to begin to speculate on that. 

But it’s whatever. It’s irrelevant. I’m here doing my best, doing what I can do. So I think the best thing I can do at this point is just lay out my goals for the year with no real in-depth explanation of them. If it doesn’t make sense, so be it. Just know that it makes sense to me. Usually. 

2026 GOALS

• gauche: find a kit and get into it, produce 5 I’m proud of
• get myself into the “no middleman art gallery” (maybe twice under different names for old/new work)
• get up to date on journal metadata spreadsheet
• go to the gym regularly (1-2x weekly)
• learn to eat healthier via a professional (for myself and the family)
• lose about 35lbs (250 goal)
• make sure I make about 4 hours for myself each week (personal/creative time//4hr minimum)
• oil paintings: 3-4 i’m proud of
• quit smoking for 90 consecutive days minimum
• read 6 good books on art (criticism, history, theory, tutorials, etc)
• reduce credit card debt by about 25%
• setup a web store on blog site – need to advertise / get views up // check for feasibility
• sketchbook work: regularly 2-3x weekly
• trip to Nashville with Dori (for xmas/anniversary/birthdays)
• use planner for entire year (Hobonici)
• watercolors: 10 I’m proud of