Rockin' New Year

Is it just me or as we get older do holidays lose a little bit of their kick? The big events we looked forward to as children (and even young adults) tend to loose some of their magic as time goes on. I hate to even say it out loud, but I think it’s true. Even our own birthdays are often swept under the rug with minimal fanfare. What is it about growing up that causes us to grow out of our excitement for momentous occasions?

Perhaps it’s because we often experience more stress than enjoyment from some major holidays. Or that practicality gets in the way and leaves no room for childish enthusiasm. I mean many of us toss out making New Year’s Resolutions just to keep the disappointment (and even guilt) of our own realities at bay. Self-preservation I guess.

How about doing something a little different this year. No, I am not going to insist that you make a New Year’s Resolution, I promise. But, I am going to take this opportunity on the last day of 2008 to encourage you to take a look at the past year and amidst all the ups and downs that the year may have dished out that you claim your inner Rock Star. That’s right, you heard me; you are a Rock Star.

Maybe you dusted off your camera and tapped into your long-lost love of photography, maybe you started (or expanded) a blog, maybe you treated yourself to new equipment, maybe you got a photo published or got paid for shooting a session. Whatever creative accomplishment you choose to focus on today, celebrate it. And whether you have plans to ring in the New Year with lots of bells and whistles or in quiet reflection, do it like the Rock Star that you really are.

You didn’t think we’d forget our very last giveaway of the year, did you? We’re ending the month of giveaways with a bang as HP is offering one of their awesome All-in-One printers to a lucky reader. Leave a comment today (in true Rock Star fashion) for your chance to win. Comment by the stroke of midnight to be entered in the drawing. Best of luck and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Comments

[karin]

the ever present optimist in me will reveal that although the year was not ROCK STAR quality, I behaved like a STAR ROCK - solid to the core. ;) 2009 is already shaping up to be so very colorful .... and a new ALL IN ONE printer would show that design ever so loverly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's to FRESH STARTS, and NEW IDEAS, and ENERGY to make it all colorful!

[Aubrey]

YES...we all want to be rock stars!!! Even if your just a undercover one!
ROCK ON GIRLS!

[Kris]

ah, just what i need!

Happy New Year!

[Heather]

This post struck a chord with me. My inner rock star peeks out sometimes, but not nearly as often as I'd like.

I'm gonna work on that this next year. :)

[Celeste]

Oh my gosh do I need that printer! Ours is dying!!!! Happy (almost) New Year to everyone!

[Lennye]

For Christmas my middle boy got me the "Bad Company" CD, so I could remember rockin' out. I think my music taste is no longer the same...for I am A LOT older now. However, that printer is the kinda rockin' my world needs!

[Lennye]

For Christmas my middle boy got me the "Bad Company" CD, so I could remember rockin' out. I think my music taste is no longer the same...for I am A LOT older now. However, that printer is the kinda rockin' my world needs!

[Kacey]

I've only recently come across this blog. And OH how I wish I would've found you sooner...I love it! Thought provoking, encouraging, inspirational AND beautiful photos...you've got it all! Look'n forward to all you have to share with us in 2009! Rock Out! and Happy New Year!

[Lauren]

Happy New Year!!! How do I claim my prize??? :)

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Just wanted to say I am thrilled I got to know you guys this year. It's been a real pleasure.

xoxoxo

[Misty]

Thanks for all the opportunities to win stuff this month!

[elsieskipping]

I have been wanting a camera for so long and my husband got me one for Christmas. I have been inspired by so many of the photoblogs attached to Shutter Sisters over the past couple of years. I can't wait to learn to use my camera. I only hope that someday I will be able to capture some of the visual poetry that you all have brought into my world. Thank you!

[kristin]

happy new year rock stars! http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3153873977/

[Stephanie Fox]

Ready to ROCK in 2009!

[Kristen]

Nice! Happy New Year!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity

[kayla]

awwwww yeah!!!!! Happy rockin new year!!! Let's ring in the 09 with a bang of our own. Awesome giveaway!!!! Thanks for the month of giving. You are too sweet. Best of luck in the new year!!

[victoria winters]

Okay, here I am again! An HP printer would ROCK my world, baby! :)

[laura-dolcepics]

I started dolcepics.com, discovered shutter sisters, started my photography business and taught my first full-fledged photography course! Wow... Does that give me rockstar status? Never really thought about it until now. Thanks, as always for the chance to reflect and celebrate. Happy new year!!!

[ELK]

redheaded rocker says "2009 bring it on!!"

[Jess]

Bring it on 2009!

[Christina]

Yipee a chance at a new printer? Oh sweet. ; )

[Teela]

Happy New Year! My resolutions this year are all about photography

[Niki of NorCal]

I love looking back at all the good and bad of 2008. And I definitely can not wait to see what 2009 holds for me. Happy New Year!

[Kim]

Here's to 2009 - it is going to be great!

[buttercupyaya]

Can I just say this: "Maybe you dusted off your camera and tapped into your long-lost love of photography, maybe you started (or expanded) a blog, maybe you treated yourself to new equipment, maybe you got a photo published or got paid for shooting a session." is so true for me. I did ALL OF THESE THINGS this year! I didn't even realize I had this many accomplishments! :) Yay!
Happy New Year to all my sisters. May 2009 be better than 2008 in every way you wish.
Dana

[Joscelyne Cutchens]

this year was a rock star year for me too! I am so glad I have found my way here! :)

[missmartha]

Celebrating the end of 2008 in the mountains with my family -- and sneaking a final look at shutter sisters! I've enjoyed this blog over the year.... cheers!

[Heather]

Taking my camera off auto was a biggie this year .

[Safire]

I feel like I've done a lot this year too! And today is my 14th anniversary of knowing hubby...nice!

[Wanda]

Happy New Year, Everyone!

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com

[Gayle]

I found my new love of photography and started a blog this year!

Happy New Year everyone!

[Charlotte Lewis]

Learned of SS while supporting the Discussion Board of a Creativity course (online) at the University of Georgia. One of the students was making a goal of getting one of her shots up on SS. I LOVE this site! Very inspiring to me. Rock on, all you SS Stars!!!! in 2009.

[Kyla]

Happy New Year to all you Shutter Sisters out there! I'm looking forward to a New Year with at least a photo a day for my new Life in Photos blog! Anyone wanna join me in a photo a day challenge?

http://thekreativelifedailyphoto.blogspot.com/

[Lila]

The month flew by..it really did...it has been great fun coming and reading all the posts and comments..a true society of sisters who are artistic, creative, down to earth, and inspirational. Thank you for the added bonus of the give-aways...and it has been fun to cheer on the recipients of all this goodness! Peace, love and laughter to the Shutter Sisters!

[Leah]

I love your photos, thanks for the inspiration. I love photography. I broke my favorite camera when it dropped on the cement. I bought a new one and I'm still trying to figure out how to use it (it has more switches and buttons than my last one and some manual settings - that scares me a little, to be honest).

Happy New Year!

[Sara]

Happy New Year! Love your site and would enjoy the printer immensely!

[Emily]

Cool!

[Sue Carter]

I wanna rock - "ROCK" with that new HP printer. Happy New Year to my new Shutter Sister friends

[Sandybee]

Rock on, sistahs! Happy New Year!

[KJ]

Ending the year like a rock star! So glad 2008 marked my discovery of Shutter Sisters. Happy New Year!

[cara]

Happy New Year!
Thanks for creating and maintaining such a great website! I've learned so much here this year and look forward to a great 2009. I'll be working on promoting my photography and selling prints and products.

[Sherry]

So inspiring...I'm journaling my rock star successes. Happy New Year!

[Alexandra]

I felt like a rock star this year when I began volunteering with young woman and with blind children. I felt like a rock star this year when I began blogging regularly, putting my words and ideas into the world. I felt like a rock star this year when I began going to therapy and confronting things from the past that were holding me back in the present.

I am so glad I found you all at Shutter Sisters. You are all rock stars and being surrounded by rock stars can make a girl feel like/find her inner rock star, too. Thank you for that.

Happy New Year! Rock On!

[Camille]

Wow, what an amazing giveaway, and thought provoking post too!
Happy New Year!!

[Beka]

Every word so true! Thanks for keeping me in touch with my true rock star!!

[Maria]

Rock Stars are masters at portraying a fabulous type of CONFIDENCE. This is a nice focus (pardon the unintentional pun) for photographers or any artist really. This reminds me to channel a rock star's confidence in my work and to unabashadly lay it out there for all the world to see. Thanks and Rock On!

[jody]

I'm late. It's now 2009!! But I still wanted to add my 2 cents =)
This has been quite a year. Good and bad. And one of the good things is my renewed interest in becoming a better photographer. Of fullfilling my talents. And I started a blog this year too. I now; because of ShutterSisters look at things differantly. Totally! I see beauty in places I never did before. For this; I thank you. =)

Happy New Year my sisters!

[bashtree]

Happy new year! Here's to rocking out with a camera and, for somebody, a new printer!!!

[Gypsy Alex]

I just wanted to comment here to say that this post totally rocks! I love how your writing has taken off this year, Tracey. I look fwd to every one of your posts. I can't wait to see what amazing things you will create in 2009. You're a total visionary rock star!!! Happy New year! Love & Hugs ~

[Naomi]

My creative accomplishment was expanding myself academically by beginning my Masters degree:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2679204041/in/set-72157605188383790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2809422175/in/set-72157605188383790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2838686277/in/set-72157605188383790/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/3057596709/in/set-72157605188383790/