Looking back at my themes for 2019

We’re halfway through 2019 and I was looking back at my themes for this year. I wanted to do a midpoint update on how I was doing, basically to set the focus for the rest of the year.

At the beginning of the year, I had five themes for the year:

Graduate School
Type Design
Python, Javascript or both
Writing
Social Media

What I’ve done

The beginning of the year was mostly about graduate school. I took two intensive research classes, wrote some academic papers that I was proud of and got one of them accepted into a conference in Toronto in August. I’m taking one class next semester.

Because of my classes, I’ve been writing almost constantly since January. I’m happy with how much I’m writing, but I’m looking to do a better job posting here. My new series on things that I love is the first step. I’ll never be a daily blogger, but I feel like I need to post at least once or twice a week.

I’ve worked hard at resetting my relationship with social media. As I planned, I’m pretty much down to Instagram and Micro.Blog, while occasionally checking out Twitter. I’m using Screen Time on my iPhone to further limit how much time I’m spending on social media.

What I haven’t done

I haven’t spent any significant time working on typefaces or learning Python. I just haven’t had the time. I’ve got a typeface sketched out that I want to build and I still see the value in learning Python, but the issue is where to find the time. I’m just not sure I’m going to be able to carve out time in 2019, but I’m not willing to give up quite yet.

What I missed

I should have been more intentional about my health and fitness goals for this year. I completely neglected working out and eating healthier in the first half of the year and I need to do better. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, working out at lunch and trying to eat out less. 2019 has been stressful with school and work and being healthier will help manage that. I’m also trying to incorporate some meditation practice into my daily life as a way to manage stress better.

Midpoint roundup

So at the midpoint of the year, I’ve made progress on three out of my five themes: graduate school, writing, and social media. I’ve identified some other areas — health, fitness and stress management — that need to be a point of emphasis to me. I’ll keep moving forward on the things that are working and see if I can find time to design some type and learn Python. I’m looking forward to finishing 2019 strong.

Bob Wertz writes about design, technology and pop culture at Sketchbook B. Bob is a Columbia, South Carolina-based designer, researcher, college instructor, husband and dad. He’s particularly obsessed with typography, the creative process and the tools we use to create. Follow Bob on Instagram.