My Words for 2024
Do you pick a word of the year? This is actually a new thing for me. I first picked a word for 2023. That word was consistency and it was specifically focused on my approach to art. In 2022, I really started to focus on my art. I had a small table set up permanently in the living room - the only available spot in our one bedroom apartment and I was starting to think about whether I could turn art into a side hustle of some sort. In 2023, I wanted to consistently show up to work on my art. If you want to learn more about how that year went, you can read My Word for 2023 is Consistency from January 2023 and What I’ve Learned From My Year of Consistency from December 2023.
I knew that I wanted to approach 2024 with the same kind of focus, but with a new set of priorities. While in 2023 my focus was the consistent production of finished pieces, in 2024, I’m looking at more focused work and more skill development. Art is also only one facet of my life. I enjoyed focusing on my art immensely, but it meant that I didn’t have as much time to focus on other things. For 2024, I’ve chosen different words for different areas of my life. This year is sure to be just as busy as last year and hopefully these words will help keep me on track. If you want a peek into my process of planning for a new year, check out How I’m Planning for 2024.
growth noun a stage in the process of growing; the process of growing
As I was thinking about what I want for my art in 2024, the word that kept popping up was growth. Last year, I learned that I could make huge progress by just being consistent in my art practice. This meant painting on a regular basis, learning to write about the process, and practicing sharing across different platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest. This was great and I made a lot of progress, but I also noticed where I had gaps in my abilities. In 2024, I want to develop my art skills, my technical skills, and the business side of my art. Here are some areas I would like to focus on in 2024.
Drawing skills or at least confidence in my drawing ability.
I am a big believer that you do not have to know how to draw to know how to paint. I love using my light table and my graphite paper, but I think more practice drawing could take my paintings to the next level.
Color theory.
I know the basics of color theory. I know that mixing yellow and blue is going to give me green. But what colors can I mix to give a muted green that matches the color of the trees I am seeing? How can underpainting make the colors seem more complex?
Watercolor techniques.
For lots of paintings, I have felt like I wasn’t sure how to accomplish a certain effect. Sometimes my trees all ended up looking the same. I couldn’t quite create the right texture for rocks. My skies always seem a little wonky. I’m not sure how to paint light.
Technical skills and specifically softwares.
I have played around with Photoshop since college, but I only know how to do the basics: easy edits to photos, resizing, etc. For 2024, I have invested in Adobe Creative Suite and in 2024, I want to learn how to use programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom. These programs are really complex and can do so much more than I even know. I want to learn how these programs can help me use my artwork in creative ways, such as stationery or fabric. I could teach myself, but it would take a long time. While in 2023, my goal was to try to do everything myself through experimentation, in 2024 I am looking for people to learn from whether it is YouTube tutorials, challenges, or actual courses. This might mean that I do not complete as many finished paintings this year.
I spent a lot of 2023 saying, I will do X when…. Now it’s time for me to actually do the things I have been thinking about.
Want help with planning your year?
Grab my freebie: My Yearly Plan.
Inside you'll find prompts to:
Reflect on what worked last year.
Brainstorm how you want to feel in the coming year.
Identify a word or words to guide you.
Make a plan.
strength noun the quality or state of being strong; capacity for exertion or endurance
This year I have chosen a word for my health: strength. In 2024, I have not planned to sign up for any organized races for my bike, but exercise is a huge part of my life. It’s how I manage stress and anxiety. Towards the end of 2023, I was dealing with some inflammation and tendonitis issues. I’m certainly doing better at the start of 2024, but I want to approach my fitness from a more holistic perspective, one that emphasizes stretching, physical therapy exercises, sleep, hydration, and eating well in a way that I have not focused on before. I also want to spend more time camping, climbing, and hiking in 2024. Vasya and I were super busy in 2023 and we didn’t travel away on the weekends as much as we typically do. I want to get back to that this year.
friends noun one attached to another by affection or esteem
I am an introvert by nature and it is really easy for me to do my own thing and hang out in my own bubble. One thing I noticed in 2023 was that I didn’t make as much time to see friends, including some of my oldest friends who do not live close. I want to focus more on my friendships this year. I want to set aside time and money to travel. I want to be better at actually following through on making phone calls or zoom sessions. I also want to try to make some new friends, especially related to my bike. Most of my bike training tends to be by myself, so even though the introvert in me is cringing, I’d like to meet some new people who are interested in cycling. This honestly feels like it will be the hardest word to follow through with, because it is easier to fall into old habits of going on a solo bike ride than making a plan to ride with a friend, but that’s the point of picking a word. It’s now out in the universe, which hopefully will make me a little more accountable.
Have you picked a word or words for 2024? Let me know in the comments or send me a DM over on Instagram.