Bits you may have missed this year!

Hello! I've missed you. How have you been? I want to give you a big hug!

I had nearly completed this blog post a week ago and then, BAM!, blogger had other ideas and then deleted the whole flipping lot.

This year is going by scarily fast. I can't keep up with it! Still, it's better than being bored and boring and feeling like time is dragging.

This is a bit of a quick recap of some of highlights of 2013 so far! More to come, I hope. No, there's no 'hope' about it. There will be more highlights if I have anything to do with it.

Let's dive in!

Newsletter: I thought it high time I start a monthly newsletter; Notes on social media, photography and doing the work you love. It's something I think I should have done a long time ago really, but better late than never. There have only been two issues so far and it's been an interesting process, which I've written about here.  Also, there comes with it a little pressure (self imposed I guess) of 'Will people like it? How will I feel if they unsubscribe? Will anyone subscribe to it?'. But sure, you have to try these things and ignore any self doubts or you wouldn't do anything. And I'm so appreciative when someone subscribes! If you would like to get it too, please feel free to subscribe here!

The first and second Birmingham Social Media Cafe events of the year have gone really well with a great turn outs and a interesting mix of social media peeps from the city! 29th March will be the next event so come along if you are in/near/can get to Bham and want to mix and mingle with peeps with a shared interest in social media for work and play! 

Digital City Social Graph by Brian Simpson

I went along to the BBC's Digital News Day in January. It was a day of events aimed at people in involved or interested in digital media in the city. I blogged some hyperlocal thoughts that came from the day and the seemingly increased demand for hyperlocal news sharing.

First London EyeEm Meetup

Photo by the Wheyway

EyeEm is a Berlin based photo app and it's become a very strong rival for instagram, especially after the instagram terms and conditions debacle.

EyeEm ambassadors are getting on board in lots of cities around the world, and I was invited along to the first London EyeEm Meetup which was arranged by Dirk Singer.

Photo by Kaaren. Pay attention everyone! :) 

Check out EyeEm's blog about the chilly but fun photo walk around Greenwich and check out awesome photos from the event. 

'My' book launch!

For the first time I have contributed to a book! And not just any old book, it's the Community Lover's Guide To Birmingham!  My chapter was a about the 4am Project and creating a global project from scratch and not waiting for the right time or any one's permission. The chapters should be available to read free online sometime, so I'll give it a shout out then! Lorna Prescott has made a great Storify about the launch event!

Being Social!

One of my goals this year is to be more social. The going-out-and-seeing-people-in-person kinda social. A friend said that he thought I go out and about all the time, but really, I don't! I can be quite a hermit, lost in my own happy world of work. I know that I do need to get out more and meet up with friends more often, so with that in mind, I'm arranging Being Social Days. I'll pick a day, get in touch with friends, and schedule a whole day of meeting and chatting and catching up. So far so good! I think this is a nice addition to my generally going out and about!

There's a few of my highlights of the year so far. I am seriously scared about how fast this year is going!

And I really don't want to neglect this blog. I guess Karen Strunks Media is getting it's share of blog posts, but I do want to spread them out evenly. If in doubt, just stop by karenstrunks.com which is where I keep track of everything under one roof!

How is your year going so far? Is it going to quickly? Is it exciting enough? Do you need more excitement in it? What are you looking forward to the most?! We've still got about 10 months to fill! :)

Say Hi on twitter @karenstrunks 

Happy New Year! Hello 2013

I'm trying to find some wise words to kick off my new year post.

I'm feeling my usual gung-ho-ness about a brand new year, and already it feels like 2013 is off to a flying start! I'm feeling really happy, optimistic and taking time to celebrate achievements, big and small.

In a conversation with a good friend I was reminded how we rarely pauses to enjoy the now. I know I don't. I'm always looking ahead; to the next goal, to the next adventure, to the next journey, to the next whatever. I think to myself, "I want this, that and that to happen" and "In my ideal life this and that will happen, and I'll be doing this". I keep looking ahead, always with the future in mind, and it's just dawned on me that "this, that and that" have happened, they do happen and I'm looking ahead so much I don't actually realise what I want is happening at the time!

So, this year I am going to try and be more mindful; to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Sometimes peeps say "Oh, you are so lucky!", but I disagree. I'm not lucky at all; I don't believe in luck. I work really hard for the successes I have. I strive for more. Of course I love doing what I do and I'm grateful I have the wherewithal to make plans, set things in motion and get to my goals. I've just realised I sound a bit serious, I'm not, I'm just grateful and very appreciative, and being mindful!

So, onto this brand new year!

What are you going to do to keep being happy? What are you going to change to be even happier?! If we are not happy with something it's down to us to change our situation, or adjust our outlook and perception. 

About 15 years ago I read a book about the power of positive thinking. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact title or who it was by (it wasn't this popular book by Normal Vincent Peale though) but it had a huge effect on me and my attitude. Looking back I used to be fairly negative in my thinking; my glass was half empty. The biggest lesson I took from that book was that I could learn to be more positive. It was a very easy thing to do, much easier to do that I first anticipated; whenever a negative thought popped into my mind I would change it to a positive one, even if I didn't really believe it at the time. 

For example: 

Negative - Oh, I'm never going to be able to run a mile so what's the point in even trying. 

Positive - I can't wait to be able to run a mile! It will take some time and effort and I'm going to feel great when I am able to do it! 

Over a period of time I re-trained my brain by catching the negative self-talk as it happened and replacing it with something a lot more positive. And it worked! My outlook changed, I felt happier, I felt like I could do more and achieve more and my confidence grew. I went on to take a year long life coaching course and gained a qualification there, and also qualified as an NLP (neuro linguistic programming) practitioner. I never looked back. I got out of a job that I had done for far too long which was getting me down, went travelling around the USA, moved house and started the process of doing work that I love. 

It's important to surround yourself with positive people too! The company you keep has a huge influence on you. Spend time with people who make you feel great. Connect with people you admire. A goal for 2012 was to bannish negative people from my life, and doing that has made such a wonderful difference! I highly recommend it. 

This time last year I wanted to get my online profile in order, and I've done that. If you want to keep up to date with everything I am up to with work and play, then karenstrunks.com is the best place to be! It's my portfolio site and I update with all my blog posts from other areas. 

I also wanted to be braver and bolder, and push myself out of my comfort zone. I think I've done that to some degree but it's a work in progress and something I'm going to continue to do; saying yes, and seeking out adventures along the way. 

London! Having spent more time in the city last year I've got it in my sights and I'm very excited about new work opportunities in the Big Smoke!

I did a 2012 review here in case you missed it. 

Right! Time to get on and get going with 2013! :) 

Whatever you do with the brand new year, have a blast! Make it your sparkliest yet! 

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