First Steps

Alright folks, I see we're going to have to do this the hard way. I appreciate the silent nods of approval and the raised fists of solidarity that I can only imagine are being cast toward the screen, however, I can't help but notice the radio silence on skill offerings. Not a problem. I can seduce you later. In the meantime, out of the public eye, one lone hero has emerged from the shadows to participate in this process of mutual growth. That hero?

I made a gif. Is that a skill?

Sara has graciously offered to share her paleo-cooking and urban foraging skills in exchange for an extra pair of eyes to go over an article she's going to submit about her personal story with the paleo diet (an excellent read, by the way, which I'll hopefully be able share when it's published!). We haven't had a chance to get together yet but I'm certain that the experience will be nourishing on numerous platforms.

In the past week or so, I've been working on that whole goal-setting thing. In a nutshell, what I want comes down to this: To be self-sufficient (including financially), more fit, and good at stuff. Is there a particular culture where vagueness is prized? Perhaps I should consider joining it. 

For the good at stuff bit, I started making a list of specific skills or tasks that I wanted to be able to complete. I feel like an appropriate place to start from that list is to create a customized blog design. Presumably for this blog. But we'll see. I haven't really taken any strides with that one, besides writing it on my freshly inaugurated "Goal Board".

In regards to fitness, I slapped down a goal of losing 5lbs. As I've already said to some of you in person, this is not because I'm particularly interested in losing any weight. I've been stable since high school minus one chubby sausage-bread-and-yogourt-filled year in Germany, so I've never really felt a strong desire to mess with that consistency. However, since (let's be honest) I don't plan to make many (or any) changes to my dietary habits, losing 5lbs becomes a measurable benchmark that is only surmountable by increased fat-burning activities! So I've created a bit of an exercise schedule for myself. Thus far, I've kept to it about 50% of the time. It's a start.

Finally, in terms of self-sufficiency, the main goal for now is this: GET A JOB. I've certainly been working the hardest at making this goal, yet it's probably the goal that I spent the least time setting. I could probably stand to clarify the terms of this prize and lay out the pathway to it, because evidently, I haven't had much luck so far. However, I'm still hoping to hear back from some promising applications. If you or anyone you know would like to hire me, do drop a line! I get shit done. 

Until next time, folks!

The Resurrection

Two years ago, I started this blog because I lacked practical skills. I thought that public documentation of this would perhaps motivate me to become better at things on my own, or failing that, that someone might at least come along and suggest a skill for me to acquire in order to have something to work towards. I was hoping to be held brutally accountable for any such utterance that suggested a target of personal growth.

Well, I never seemed to figure out what 'things' I wanted to be better at, and I never gave anyone a reason to engage with the project on a level deeper than "occasional skimming", so obviously, none of my goals ever came to fruition. Now, two years later, I've officially graduated and discarded the "I'm too busy with school" excuse for not learning anything independently, and as I'm searching for careers with a shopping cart full of soft skills and empty basket of technical proficiencies, it saddens me to recognize that I saw this train wreck coming with plenty of time to reroute the tracks. I definitely could have been a whiz at something by now.

Le sigh. Yet, here we are.

So I'm thinking it's time to try this again. I'm in a similar position to where I was the first time around: defeated, lost, and almost entirely lacking in money and resources. However, where I once had upcoming semesters and perceived future learning experiences, I now have nothing but space and time spread out before me, waiting to be filled with adventure and learning. I haven't just been twiddling my thumbs - I recently started doing yoga on YouTube and  signed up for some Skillshare classes on basic entrepreneurialism. Given everything else I've seen, it seems like it should be possible to learn absolutely flipping anything on the Internet. Piece of cake.

But, ACCOUNTABILITY. It'll be all about picking something manageable (and ideally transferable) and committing myself to achieving a specific, concrete goal. (Please note the irony in this vague generalization.)

To avoid becoming a total web-hermit and double the accountability, however, the most excellent manifestation of this endeavor would be if someone (like YOU!) were willing to teach me one of their own skills. I am eager and open to trade. I can currently offer baking, academic paper writing, and basic recorder and bass guitar. My offerings will increase as yours do.

That being said, I think it's far and away past time that I start taking a little more responsibility for myself. If you won't make these connections with me, then so help me, I will force myself upon you. But gently. And with compassion. You'll like it.

And so, it is with lingering hesitation but no clear intention that I now conclude this entry, already feeling pressured by this public declaration in spite of the fact that I have not yet offered any apparent plan of action.

Let's call that Week 2.