Just as people say the twentieth century didn’t start until 1914, for me 2012 began around six weeks ago, for various reasons including this and this.

The past few weeks have been less about winding down and celebrating the year that passed, and more about getting started on the year to come: hence all that stuff about living the beautiful life.

So, here are some things I’d like from 2012:

Finish the book. I know, I know – it’s been on my wish list for, what, three years now? But this year it’s actually my job as well, which should help things along. To be honest, I’m a little bit petrified, but I figure it’s mostly about sustained effort and a steady chipping away of the “mountain”.

Connect. Meet new people. Build intimacy and community. Host/organise things, since clearly this is essential to my happiness. Make magic. Better appreciate the intimacies I already have in my life (for example, if riding around the city in elf hats or performing musicals at home is magical if done with friends, it is equally awesome done with one’s husband). Make London feel more like a home, despite the fact that I’ll likely be spending about a quarter of the year out of the country.

Remember to take pleasure in my work, in writing, in this blog. Don’t invest so much emotion in it that it becomes too difficult and stops being fun. Experiment. Ignore blog stats and SMHAge comments. Regain the whole loosey-goosey spontaneity that got me into this in the first place. Maintain the joy. Be gentle.

What are your hopes for 2012?

Related: She who tries, wins.
The Musings of an Inappropriate Woman Guide to Feminist Wedding Planning.
On living “the beautiful life”.