Less is More...resolutions and such

I'm not a huge resolutions kinda girl. I don't think that the calendar should dictate when a good time to make positive changes in your life should happen. But, with that being said, there is something that just feels right about a new year. It reminds me off the feeling I have in the Spring. A new time, new births, new things - it feels like a time for change.

2008 was a year of change for me, both personally and professionally. Most notably, i {heart} papers was born. When the idea first came to be, things were quite different on the economic front and in the world as a whole. But, by the time it all came together, it was too late to stop things, despite the shaky economy and turbulent world. And, now I'm thankful I didn't.

With the store (and all the other things in my life that require attention) it is easy for actual creating to take a backseat to the responsibilities that need to be tended to. It's easier to slip into a routine of blurfing, buying and stocking new inventory, paying bills, browsing the galleries at SCS, etc. than actually stamping. I've been trying to balance these things for many months and stamping always takes a backseat. I think in my mind I convince myself that it isn't as important as those other things.

I've got over 300 blogs in my Google Reader but I'm sure if I had to, I could cut that down to 30 or so that are must reads and my great sources of inspiration (outside of my own DT of 11, of course!) But, it is way too difficult for me to just unsubscribe from them. So, I'm in the process now of sorting my blogs into folders of daily must reads (those top blogs I know I can go to for an inspiration kick) and all of the others. That is my first step to making more time in my life.

Most likely, if you're reading this, you got into stamping as a creative outlet, not as a chore. I'm comitted to rejuvenating that passion in me. I'm a much happier person when I create, rather than just reading 300+ blogs everyday from other people who are creating. I want to be inspired by my own creativity rather than depending on everyone else to inspire me. So I guess my big stamping resolution is to surf less and stamp more.

So there it is. Of course, getting to the act of creating has other things that go with it such as organizing my supplies, using the stash of goodies I have, keeping my workspace clean, etc. Will all of those things happen? Probably not, but if I make a concerted effort to create then I'm hoping the rest of those things will fall into place. (And, if not, they'll just stay on the table or floor where they are now!)

So, what say you? Will you join me in creating more in 2009? Will you spend less time on the computer and more time in your creation place? If so, please leave me a comment so we can keep in touch over the year and see how we're doing. I'd love to see what you create!

Happy New Year and happy creating!