TWTY/DTW
Wibbling:
I'll be honest, I've never been a big one for the whole New Year thing. It's a somewhat arbitrary date that seems to be used as an excuse for many things. But that said, it's hard not to be reflective at this time of year, so although I don't think I've really done this before, but here's some year changing thoughts.
We learnt to count
Yeah I know I'm just bitter and pedantic about the whole millennium thing but I like that we worked out 2010->2011 heralds a new decade. We just need to gloss over the fact that we couldn't cope with numbers last decade and it ended up being 11 years long for many people.
I learnt to engage (a bit more anyway)
I spent a lot of 2010 lurking and watching in some areas of my life, and especially towards the end I started to engage a bit more and I liked it. In fairness, some of that engaging is reply when others engage me but I'm giving myself credit for it. I've had people returning to my life which has meant a lot, and a couple of months ago I decided to be as big a chancer as the rest of the world which means that this year a book will be published featuring a short story written by... me! Engaging good.
Oh yeah, I learnt to write
Well, learning is probably more apt. At some point I realised I can write more than tech stuff, and thanks to the encouragement of some friends I started. I probably tried a bit too hard at times, and I've had to dial it back, but I am enjoying the odd short story these days and planning to work on more. My team of faithful critics and editors are helping and flattering my ego along the way. Talking of which...
I learnt how to take a compliment!
Okay, I'm still not great at it, but I am seriously improving! This is pretty massive.
I learnt to trust myself
Another work in progress if I'm honest, but yes - my self-confidence is growing. This is in part to changing a few aspects of my life I guess, and partly the compliment thing. 2010 saw people commissioning me for work that I find exciting and interesting, and that pushes my comfort zone. I won't claim that it was a massive revolution, but as evolution goes I have left primordial ooze eating my dust! I am getting to the stage where I am pushing myself, where I am accepting certain challenges without faltering and doubting, where I am hungry to improve myself. And one of those improvements was...
I learnt to type
Yes I know it's a minor thing to most of you but I've never learnt. I'm a habitual hunt and peck, and with 4-5 fingers I can push 50wpm which makes learning to touch type hard. But this year I sat down and made the effort. I found myself a typing course and I did the work and now I am fairly proud to say I can touch type. Last time I tested my speed I was languishing at about 20wpm, if I'm lucky I'm at 25 now, which is why most of my typing (like this) is still pecked out. But I am behaving when it comes to my short stories (the two aspects have complimented each other) and I am hoping to get my speed and confidence up to the point where I stop having to think and plan when to touch type.
Again, for one that probably seems so small to others this is massive for me, having tried a few times in the past I am amazed that I actually managed it this time.
I have learnt other things
Yeah, the world has moved on and it's hard to get everything into a few paragraphs. Most of my highlights have been silly things, simple comments that people have made that have had a big impact. Being less cynical has helped with that, who knows how many compliments I missed over the years, but I also feel that I've had more compliments from people with no reason or motive. I've been touched by the way people have not only let me into their lives, but invited me in also. I've made a number of friends, and some of those connections have been deeper than I could have ever imagined.
2010 was a strange year for me, but a good one despite the odd bump in the road. I start 2011 optimistic; happier, and more confident. To 2010 and those who shaped it, I say thank you. To 2011 and those I intend to drag around with me, I say I think this might be fun.