It is that time of the year again. We look back at what we have done and get ready for the year to come. You don’t need a new year list of goals, what you need is the new year resolutions for cosplayers.
Looking back at my year I have to say that I did pretty well. Certainly, I didn’t attend to many conventions but I managed to finish many dropped projects and enter a national competition. I didn’t win, but I was most proud of my cosplay and performance. I also relaunched my Etsy store and started making patterns for cosplayers.
Next year I want to be even better. I will be setting new goals and I aim to improve even more on this hobby. One of my personal goals is to write in this blog more often but this is my list of new year resolutions for cosplayers.
1. Plan in advance
Every single year I think about how cool it would be to wear this or that cosplay for Halloween, Valentine’s day or that awesome convention in summer. Or I want to wear a new cosplay but find that my lenses have dried out. Every single time I remember it too late and run out of time. This year is time to start early and have the cosplays ready for the right time. Do you need a Cosplay Planner? Maybe?
2. Sleep more
Of course, because I don’t plan in advance, I get to stay all night up trying to complete my cosplay. In the last few years I got better at this but I still get overexcited at times and forget to sleep. Now a days I always have a plan B in case I don’t finish my cosplay in time. I have gone to conventions with no sleep at all. You only think about going to bed and don’t enjoy yourself. It is OK to postpone a project if you see you run out of time. You will be able to give a 100% at the convention and will get a better finish next time after a good sleep.
3. Stop buying fabric
But it is so pretty… and so cheap… No! At the moment I have two full cupboards full of fabric for projects. Some of these fabrics I bought ten years ago! I know they are cheap, I know they are pretty, but you should be thinking how to use them instead of collecting them and potentially ruining them if you didn’t store them properly. You will appreciate the savings of space and money for the projects that really matter.
4. Be more active on social media
For me, sometimes it is very difficult to be active in social media. I have a daytime job, a house to look after, a family, and believe it or not, other hobbies! I always try my best and I schedule posts so there is always new content on my pages. Sometimes it is not enough and life keeps me occupied instead. Nevertheless, it can be done, and hopefully I will be more active in the new year.
5. Share more tutorials
I love making tutorials, but they are very time consuming. I know you like them and I love being able to help other cosplayers like me. Actually, I have lots of pictures from lots of processes ready and hopefully I will get new content up very soon. Sharing helps us all being better.
6. Learn something new
Learning new techniques can be frustrating at the beginning, but they are worth the trouble. This year I learnt how to use Illustrator and it was more difficult than I expected. Actually, it has helped me a lot and made my life easier. It was totally worth it and I was able to create digital patterns that I can now share with you. You can always improve and learn something new. Don’t get stuck on your comfort zone and try something different.
7. Make a challenging cosplay
Every year I try making something amazing. Making small projects is fun, but doing the extra detailed or extra big cosplay is so satisfying. It can easily take you six months or a year to finish it; you will drop it a million times; but when you do finish it, you will feel very proud of yourself.
8. Finish an unfinished cosplay
You start a project, you flirt with another project and you end up forgetting about the first one. We have all been there. Some more often than others. Last year I managed to finish 3 long forgotten cosplays that I had started years ago. I already have 3 more ready to launch next year. They may not be as relevant or as good as your current projects but you will feel better with yourself.
9. Make a cosplay from your wishlist
Every cosplayer has a wishlist. Basically, it is a list of cosplays that you want to do no matter what. Sometimes you don’t start them because you haven’t got the money, the knowledge or even the time. This is your year, plan in advance (remember resolution 1?) and get all you need to fulfill your dreams. No more excuses.
10. Have fun
This is the most important part of cosplay. We forget about it so easily and we shouldn’t. This is a hobby. You don’t make cosplays for others. You make it for you! And you should enjoy it. Forget about criticisms, winning or losing, stressing over a competition. This is for you, it is OK to have a break and it is OK not to enter a competition. Always remember to have fun and forget about anything else.
Did you like my New Year Resolutions for cosplayers? Is there anything you would add to the list? Comment here or in my social networks and let me know what you wrote on your list!
