Are you a New Year's Resolutions sort of a person? I gave up on all that a long time ago. The last resolution I managed to keep was in 2004, when I looked in my underwear drawer and vowed to have replaced all my decades-old taty knickers by the end of the year! I'm not sure what it is about declaring a resolution, but it's like it automatically cancels out any will to do anything. And I don't lack will power or determination, so it's not that. Perhaps it's all about choosing the right resolution?
But the new year is a good time to tidy up, sort out, and make plans. With that in mind, I spent NYE tidying my desk. It didn't half need it I can tell you. A mix of unfiled documents, Christmas wrapping paper, pieces of artwork, materials and tools, piles of stock, and chocolate...it was a bit embarrassing.
And then I started on my work plans for the year ahead. I've always been a list-maker. And also a timetable maker. I've scribbled a few notes down on scraps of paper, but New Year is definitely new stationery time! i bought new cartridges for my fountain pen. (It's actually the pen my Aunt used to use for the marriage certificates - she was a minister.) I use this binder for my work stuff, but I was thinking I might treat myself to something fancy for home things.
We know that 2024 is going to be a difficult year for the millions of people around the world with much more important things to worry about, like staying alive. It's a little trite to thinking about trivialities like stationery. But perhaps we can plan into our year some local actions to make the world a better place? The Green Yard's chosen charity is Meeting Place, which supports refugees in Leeds and we will carry on doing that. But the occasional donation doesn't fele like enough somehow, so we will be looking at ways of supporting them more proactively. What will you be doing?
So, 2024 is here. Twenty years on from the successful Knicker-Drawer Refurbishment, plans (not resolutions!) are to keep on growing the Green Yard. We're hoping to schedule some events and collaboration, lots of new stock throughout the year, a lot of it from local designers and artists. Maybe some workshops. Look out for them. Sign up to our newsletter so you don't miss out! We've got the outdoor plants to think about too, with a revamp and restock this spring, which is an exciting prospect. There's a lot of work to be done, but I'm up for it.
New in this week
Lots of lovely stationery and note pads, just waiting for you to get your life organised. Not that I'm judging obviously, but who doesn't like a pretty list pad?
