Project Deeper
Hello, all!
I learned about the concept of a Depth Year back in December, from my friend's Facebook share of David Cain's blog post, Go Deeper, Not Wider. The idea was amazing; it resonated with me so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it. This 2020, I decided almost immediately, was the year I would go on my own Depth Year.
Since 2015, I'd been a fan of Marie Kondo and her book, which set me on my imperfect, winding journey towards less. I read all the books I could find on minimalism, decluttering, and living with less. I've sold, donated, and discarded boxes, bags, and bins of stuff. I completed a couple of savings challenges, thereby increasing my savings. I could say with certainty that my living space is better than when I first started, and that I have become more selective in what I keep and what I purchase.
But it seemed a little piece was still missing, something that would tie everything together into a meaningful whole. I was still distracted by new stuff. I continued to neglect the things that actually survived the cullings. I remained frustrated at not being as good as I wanted to be at the things I wanted to be good at. I constantly found myself adding to what I already had (albeit at a slower and smaller rate than before), despite that niggling bit of guilt knowing that there were items at home that remained unopened or barely used.
Enter the Go Deeper post, which I think is that missing piece that could finally effect a lasting and profound improvement in my mindset. The concept is simple: for one whole year, you don't start anything new, or pursue anything new, or acquire any new non-essential possessions. You return to abandoned projects, revive old hobbies, revisit interests and ideas that had fallen by the wayside. You use and enjoy what you already have, digging deeper into what is already around you.
I named my personal endeavor "Project Deeper", making reference to the title of Mr. Cain's article, to the act of going deeper into what I have and own, and to the hope of a deeper enjoyment and appreciation of those which are already around me.
I look forward to reading and hearing about others who have decided to embark on their own Depth Years, too.
As the New Year starts and I officially kick off my Depth Year, I thought to myself:
How will I go deeper in 2020?
(There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self. -- Ernest Hemingway)
I learned about the concept of a Depth Year back in December, from my friend's Facebook share of David Cain's blog post, Go Deeper, Not Wider. The idea was amazing; it resonated with me so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it. This 2020, I decided almost immediately, was the year I would go on my own Depth Year.
Since 2015, I'd been a fan of Marie Kondo and her book, which set me on my imperfect, winding journey towards less. I read all the books I could find on minimalism, decluttering, and living with less. I've sold, donated, and discarded boxes, bags, and bins of stuff. I completed a couple of savings challenges, thereby increasing my savings. I could say with certainty that my living space is better than when I first started, and that I have become more selective in what I keep and what I purchase.
But it seemed a little piece was still missing, something that would tie everything together into a meaningful whole. I was still distracted by new stuff. I continued to neglect the things that actually survived the cullings. I remained frustrated at not being as good as I wanted to be at the things I wanted to be good at. I constantly found myself adding to what I already had (albeit at a slower and smaller rate than before), despite that niggling bit of guilt knowing that there were items at home that remained unopened or barely used.
Enter the Go Deeper post, which I think is that missing piece that could finally effect a lasting and profound improvement in my mindset. The concept is simple: for one whole year, you don't start anything new, or pursue anything new, or acquire any new non-essential possessions. You return to abandoned projects, revive old hobbies, revisit interests and ideas that had fallen by the wayside. You use and enjoy what you already have, digging deeper into what is already around you.
I named my personal endeavor "Project Deeper", making reference to the title of Mr. Cain's article, to the act of going deeper into what I have and own, and to the hope of a deeper enjoyment and appreciation of those which are already around me.
I look forward to reading and hearing about others who have decided to embark on their own Depth Years, too.
As the New Year starts and I officially kick off my Depth Year, I thought to myself:
How will I go deeper in 2020?
- Continue decluttering
- Use whatever hoard or stash I have instead of buying new or collecting more
- Improve and get better at existing hobbies
- Read unread books
- Write in my journals everyday
- Write with the pens I currently own
- Sell the pens I can let go of
- Create more things with the craft supplies I've hoarded
- Make art with my current materials
- Find uses for the notebooks I've collected
- Use the cosmetics I've accumulated
- Use the accessories I have; no new bags or shoes
- Finish, or at least continue, drafts of unfinished stories
- Return to or restart abandoned projects (website, blog, collection catalogs, reading list, commonplace books, war binder, finances binder, etc.)
- Actually use, practice, and apply the instructional books I've bought
- Watch all those Udemy tutorials I purchased and downloaded
- Be more active and consistent in posting at my current Instagram accounts
- Sleep better; more hours of sleep
- Eat healthier; don't buy junk food
- Exercise more; actually use that membership rather than take up a new sport
- Spend more time with parents
- Consistent attendance at Mass and praying of rosary
- Focus on what I value and minimizing what distracts me from them
With the premise of the Depth Year and the mantra of "Go Deeper, Not Wider" in my mind, plus the goals and limits I've set for myself, I hope to grow into a better, more efficient version of myself.
(There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self. -- Ernest Hemingway)
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