I know, I know… It’s a middle of February already, but it’s never too late to write one of those ‘New Years resolutions’ posts. I always love to reflect on a previous year and make some decisions for the next one.
After some changes in my private life lately, I’ve decided to work more on line in 2019. And also to add more creativity and some healthier habits in my life.
I’m usually sharing this kind of ‘behind the biz’ things in my monthly newsletter. So, if you would like to receive it, you can sign in on a link here.
Getting more creative
One of the things I’ve decided to do in 2019 is to get more creativity in my life. I mean, of course, my work is closely linked to art. But, I feel I need to be more creative myself. And do some creative things just for the sake of enjoying them (and not because they are a part of my job).
So, one of the things I already started is to paint again. I’ve got myself a table easel and some acrylic paint. And, I’ve started to spend my Sunday afternoons painting. Well, Marijan and Karlo are already hooked, as well. So, we were painting all together the last weekend.
Another thing I’m also going to do is to join more of creative workshops. Both when I’m travelling, and when I’m at home. I’m going to attend the Modern Calligraphy Workshop tomorrow in Amsterdam and am really looking forward to it.
Getting healthier
I think that’s a common problem of anyone working from home or spending a lot of time sitting and working at a desk. Since during the last four months I’m mostly working from home, I feel I’m getting so unhealthy. So, a few weeks ago, I started my mornings with some physical activity. And I think I’m going to start running again. I’ve started to prepare weekly lunch menus and am cooking much more than before, in the afternoons.
But then, healthy also means mental health to me. I’ve often found myself working long hours. And after boys go to bed, I’m sitting at my laptop and am working for a few more hours. I often feel exhausted in a morning because of that, so that’s something I’ve decided to change, as well. Not sure how I’m going to do that, though…
Reading more
Something on that note is, I would like to read more in 2019. And, although I love reading other blogs, I’m planning to go a bit old school and read books before going to bed.
I’ve just read one of my favourite books again, Elizabeth Kostova’s ‘The Historian’. And am reading another great one, Roger Zelazny’s ‘Chronicles of Amber’, in a moment. I’m on a book one and there are ten in a series, so it’s going to keep me busy for some time.
If you have any book recommendations, please share them with me!
Working more on line
One of the things I wanted to do for some time already was to focus on this blog more and do more of my work online. The turning point for me was in last October when Karlo started school. This is when I’ve realised that, if he is going to after-school care, I won’t spend any time with him during the week. That’s why I’ve rearranged my working hours and am working each day until 3 PM when his school finishes.
To be able to do that, I had to say goodbye to some things. One of them were my museum art tours. I’m not doing them as much as I did before. I am occasionally organising some, but much less then I used to.
However, I started to work much more on my blog, and I’m so happy about that. This little blog of mine is growing! And I’m so grateful it’s becoming an important part of my business and an income lately. I’ve done some nice collaborations during the last couple of months (some of my favourite were with Visit Mechelen and In de Waag Restaurant in Amsterdam).
I’m working on some exciting collaborations, in a moment, as well. And will be sharing more about that during the following months.
I’m also going to work more on my ‘Drawing the Art of Europe’ project and colouring postcards, I’m creating within it. I’m working on some branding in a moment and am going to create a separate Instagram account for it, so you can follow it more easily.
I am still doing some freelance art history work, and I have decided to share more of that with you on a blog, as well. So, you’re going to see much more of this kind of personal and ‘behind the biz’ posts in the future.
My travel plans for the next six months
I love making plans! Usually, already in January, I have travel plans sorted until the summer. I also think it’s so important to have a good business plan, so you can focus on your goals. Well, here are some of my plans for the next few months.
# – February: It’s a school vacation in the Netherlands next week. So, Karlo’s going to spend a week with his grandparents and Marijan, and I are going to Ireland! It’s a country I wanted to visit for so long, so I’m really excited about it. I’m planning to listen to some Irish music, see the Book of Kells (*excitingly jumping when thinking about that*) and am going to meet some friends that are living in Dublin.
# – March: 2019 is celebrated as the year of Rembrandt in the Netherlands, and I’m working on some products related to it. I’m going to share more about it with you in March. But, there are going to be blog posts, self-guided tours and a new set of colouring postcards dedicated to Rembrandt in it.
# – April: Things are going to get more busy with my travel plans in spring. One of the things I wanted to do for some time already was to go on a road trip to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. And I’m finally going to do that in April! I’m still working on the route plan, but I’ll definitely be stopping at Plitvice Lakes, Trogir, Šibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Mostar and Sarajevo.
# – May: With its longer days and sunny weather, May is one of my favourite months for travelling. My in-laws are going to visit us in the second half of May, and we’re going on a three generations trip to Paris. Ok, I admit, I am a bit scared of that one.
# – June: In the first weekend of June I’m going to Traverse Conference in Trentino. I love going to the blogging conferences, learning about this industry and meeting with fellow bloggers. I’m going to fly there a few days before the conference, so if anyone has any recommendations for some cute Italian towns to visit in that area, please send them over.
# – July & August: And then, I’ve decided to do something entirely different this summer. I’m going to spend a month in Croatia during the summer. Like I’ve already mentioned, my work went more online lately, and I’ve decided to spend next summer in Croatia. I’ll be having more time to be with my family, Karlo will have some excellent time with his grandparents, and we’ll also enjoy nice weather there. I will probably be going on weekend trips to Slovenia and another close by places, during that time.
So, that’s it for now. There will probably be some more last minute weekend trips during the spring. But, this is roughly what I’m up to in 2019.
Getting more creative, healthier and enjoying in working on the Culture Tourist more!
*This post contains some affiliate links.