We’re going to do the year-in-review a bit differently for Ceindy Doodles this year. (Not that we have a tradition around here anyway.) We’re going to do it by numbers, because why not. After all, they are important to lettering, too.
40
This is the number of projects I recorded for 2018. I’m sure there’s some “I need this real quick” projects that were forgotten, but these are the ones I remember. I can’t believe it, that’s almost a project a week, which for a side hustle is a little crazy.
3
Things I learned in 2018 that I plan on carrying into 2019
- Focus on one project a night, if possible. Block out your schedule.
I started to block out my week (example:Monday was social media planning, Tuesday & Thursday was client work, Wednesday was personal or client work, Friday was movie night, Saturday was catch up, and Sunday was another catch up/admin day.) Now that I’ve been doing it for a while and even with the changes in our household, it’s easy for me to visually see where I have time to do what. It also helps to have a small calendar/planner so I don’t fill it up with things I can’t accomplish between 9pm-11pm. - To pursue what I want.
Sometimes you just have to say something out to the universe and the universe will provide. Most likely, you need to write that email or walk your tush into a place and ask, “hey can I draw for you?” which is how I filled my family’s bellies with lots of Lolly’s ice cream. So hi, I’m Ceindy – I’m awkward – and I’m going to ask if I can draw letters for you. - To say no more often.
I started saying no to projects that didn’t interest me and projects that I would have to stay up way too late to finish. I learned that I’m a really crappy person to be around when I don’t sleep enough and my family and friends deserve better than that.
7
Average hours of sleep a night. Maybe it’s 6. I should get some smart thing to calculate this for me, but on average I go to bed around 11-12 and wake up around 6:30 am. But there are a good amount of nights, like tonight, where I stay up past that. Like, waaaay past that.
4
Things I’m not doing in 2019
- Etsy store – closed.
- Threadless store – will be closing.
- Custom Wedding Invitations – I have one couple and that’s going to be my only couple.
- Styled Shoots.
Here’s the struggle I can’t repeat in 2019, spreading myself out too thin. Doing things for the sake of “maybe this will work” and not fully committing. I’m hoping to stop worrying about a lot of little things and just do the big things – and to do it right.
Gajillion
This may be overreacting, but this is the number of doubt I have in my head. I’m extremely self-critical and another BIG struggle of mine is imposter syndrome and low confidence. In fact, I have a blog post written about this and still have not posted it. Because, well, yeah.
Now some 2019 goal numbers
10
I’m doubling down on wedding signage this year. I did 5 last year, let’s see if I can get 10 in the books this year.
6
My goal is to help at least 6 businesses this year with lettering, design, or illustration needs.
1
This is my pipe dream for 2019. I want to get one lettering design of mine published either as a magazine cover, spread, or a book cover.
If you’re thinking, wait a minute, you had 40 client projects in 2018 and you only have a goal for 17 this year…? I will still be working on other custom lettering projects and freelancing my graphic design skills. It’s just that these 17 are I’m pursuing. These are the new things I hope to do more of. Overall, I’d like to do around the same number or less since I will have less time this year to work due to our work situation.
Lastly, my personal projects.
1
My goal for Ceindy Doodles this year is to successfully create and fulfill myself with one personal project. I’m debating between 2 topics, our family’s journey to being debt free or the things that Arik says.
5
So this is the biggest thing. I want to come up with 5 of the best home decor signs. Ryan and I are starting a small project called “Crafted Notes.” We’re going to work together and launch this summer 5 really awesome designs for your home. It’s still in its’ beginning stages, but we are excited to make stuff together.
