It’s 2016 (*confetti*), and while most people have written down their resolutions and goals for the new year, I haven’t. *hides* This year feels more of a continuation for me, and less like a fresh start. Anyone feeling the same way?
Nevertheless, I’m sharing a few reminders as the first week of school / work starts for most of us. These are from Letters from ABC, the postcard set I created and published recently under Summit Books (btw, the postcards can also be used as home decor / art prints!). May these constantly remind you how to live a better (creative + productive) life this 2016. :)
To venture is to dare to do something or go somewhere. It’s so easy to shy away from whatever vision or goal you set yourself with – but remember, it takes a great amount of courage and determination to get from point A to point B. Go do it, whatever it may be – a personal project, a long-time trip you’ve been wanting to plan with friends, anything.
I’ve spent most of my (high school + college + pre-artist) years stuck in comfort zones and thinking my walls can only be built from there. But as they say, you never know what’s on the other side unless you venture out. :)
But remember, it’s important to take small steps every day. Don’t go for big leaps when tracking progress, or coursing through your tasks to reach the finish line. Focus on the little advances.
Something I always tell my workshop students and people who have asked me how I’ve evolved with my craft is that being amazing doesn’t happen overnight. “Allow yourself to be a beginner, no one starts off being excellent.” It takes steps (lots of it!) to improve and be better.
Better yet, focus on progress instead of perfection. I’ve written this in my book – “practice makes progress”. Trust yourself especially when you’re in the process of whatever you’re doing, and remember to keep yourself at a point where you are able to see growth and improvement – that’s what progress is all about.
At this point, it can be so easy to feel lost and burned out (trust me, I’ve had those days!). When you’re working towards a goal, or making something for quite a long time, you might feel like giving up at some point. But remember, tracing back to your first reason will give your work more meaning and direction. There has to be that one thing that pushed you to move forward; so take that into consideration and keep going.
Once in awhile, escape your daily duties by traveling here and abroad. Spending the past couple of months traveling constantly has kept me grounded and aware of the possibilities the world has to offer. It’s nice to feel small for once and watch the world surprise you in the most unexpected way. Spend your adventures with a like-minded friend or your family – you’ll be amazed at how much inspiration will strike at you while you’re in transit.
Take time to say “Thanks” to every single person who has done you a favor, kept you company, given you a chunk of their time in a day. Be grateful for your blessings, write it down, keep it in a journal. It pays to realize these little things that shape your daily life. And hey, a simple “thank you” is free! Share the love. :)
Here’s a tip: If you keep a blog or Instagram, you can always include it in one of your posts. :) For me, I like to blog about life updates and favorite projects every now and then so I can look back and feel grateful about certain moments in my life.
I have this bad habit of wanting to rush things and I am telling you now, that it’s definitely not worth stressing over. Or sometimes, I tend to always say, “This isn’t even possible – it’s not going to be okay, and I give up.” Take things one day at a time, learn to take quick breaks, be kind to yourself. It will be okay. Keep a more positive mindset and you’ll see how it changes the way you function.
(That statement above seems like something I’ve told myself over the course of this week. Haha! I’m telling it to you as well because ~knowledge sharing~ lol)
Letters from ABC is available at National Bookstore, Fully Booked and major bookstores nationwide for P350. You may also order online here.
Yes, I totes didn’t forget this. First of all, thank you so much to everyone who participated in our GGxABC Giveaway! Googly Gooeys and I are overwhelmed with the support – 75,000 entries is crazy awesome. Moreover, thank you to our sponsors for sharing their love over the holiday season.
The winners should e-mail their full name & mailing address within 7 days to hello@abbey-sy.com with the subject “GG x ABC Giveaway Winner”. After 7 days, we will be picking a new set of winners.
Seriously though, I’ll probably keep all the post cards to myself to decorate my room. I’m such a hoarder. Haha! Or I can just get another one to send family and friends? :) Also, my “law of attraction” mantra worked! The universe conspired with me on this giveaway. Yay! Thank you Abbey!
Hi Anne! Actually, there are 2 copies per design, so you can stick one on your wall and send the other one away. Sounds good? :)
Congrats to all the winners! Sayang I didn’t win but I’ll watch out for the next giveaways. In the meantime, how can I order again the ABCs of Hand Lettering and ABC postcards? Thanks!
Hi Leah! Hehe. Watch out, I’m having one again in a few days ;) Anyway, yup, you may order at http://bit.ly/abcmerch :) Thanks!
Happy New Year Abbey! I’ve been a silent follower but I just had to comment on this one because every bit of it hit me like a bullet train. Thank you so much for sharing these advises! It made me a very happy and motivated bean :)
Congratulations to the winners! Sad though because I haven’t found my name on the list. I’ll try my luck on the next giveaways!!! Thank you Ms. Abbey Sy and Googly Gooeys!! :))) God Bless!!!
The focus of this course is to research, analyze, conceptualize and produce a singular, physical, urban scale model for the alternative vision of SPURA, Lower East Side of New York.
SPURA urban development is the most contested ground for New York City’s direct engagement in the design of the future of one of the longest negotiations between government, investors and community. An agreement was reached in the Spring of 2012 when the community board agreed to 40% / 60% proportion between what is considered affordable housing for sale in New York and commercial housing. The City of New York issued the Request for Proposals for the master plan of SPURA, which concluded in September.
1- the conceptual model of analysis developed by the School of Missing Studies, looking for knowledge in cities marked or undergoing abrupt change.
3- the archeological of below ground, legality and hidden material anomalies below the surface of the parking lots at SPURA, looking for underground anomalies. This model is used by the Forensic Architecture projects from Goldsmiths college in London.
4- experience from spatial practices such as NAO, large scale propositions which are meant to be both conceptual and design driven. To learn more, please visit http://www.thenao.net/NAO-Nursery-Belgrade-01.htm and http://www.thenao.net/NAO-phila-01.htm
As a partner of Parsons, AAI exhibited the SPURA models created during this course in the exhibition Elastic Ground at Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space located at the Essex Market on Essex Street, on one of the SPURA sites.
Srdjan Jovanovic Weiss is the founding principal of NAO and former architect and urban researcher for Herzog & de Meuron Architects in Basel, Switzerland. More at: www. thenao.net