Remember way back in January when many of us mapped out our goals for the year? Yeah, me neither. But I do like to check in with myself each year as we fly past the halfway point. And, good grief, are we flying. As a writer, it may be a little too easy to check in on my goals. It’s a little unsettling really. For my own accountability, both as a writer and a Type-A human, I make a note on my calendar for a July status check and am always a little cringe (as the kids say) when the reminder pops up. As I clickity-clack my way to viewing those goals, it is with trepidation knowing that on that digital document, there will be to-do’s that I forgot about immediately after hitting the publish button.
However, as I said way back when…that’s okay. Resolutions shouldn’t be so out of reach that failure is all but promised.
That’s the thing about resolutions, right? They often encapsulate the unrealistic yet we then beat ourselves up for not achieving them.
As I’ve gotten further into adulting, my views on resolutions have shifted–taking them to more of a “map” that a “must.” Approaching each day or week or month or year with a few achievements that would be cool to conquer but that are certainly not related to my worth is a much more pleasant path.
So, how’s it going?
Embroider: My sewing/embroidery machine was a 2022 Christmas present that gave me a run for my frustration money. In fairness, I did learn the sewing side quite well once I decided to throw away my hoops (not really).
I am still making slow progress. Learning to embroider truly requires me to manage each step carefully and thoughtfully. This means that some projects are not completed in one sitting and that is SO HARD for me. All in all, I haven’t thought about launching my Bernina out the window in months and I consider that a success.
Writing A: I do plan to continue freelancing in 2024 but want to grab some consistency in travel writing. I hope to continue blogging at the same cadence (weekly) but have toyed with going bi-weekly.
I wouldn’t say travel writing has taken off as I still haven’t figured out my voice there. Rich says I need to lean towards my comfort zone–humor. Also, I have done zero research on where to pitch though I did finally submit an article to Richmond Family Magazine about adaptive travel a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed!
Writing B: I hope to have the audio version of my book published in the first quarter of this year and DEAR LORD that has been a project.
DONE!!!!! It is so bizarre to have an entire book in my voice on the market. Even more bizarre? My husband’s voice. I truly think he could have a calling in audiobook recordings. BUY HERE!
Socials: My socials got out of control in the last years mainly because I listened to some negative feedback.
I think I’m doing alright here. I have streamlined the socials to what I can handle. That may not match the Surgeon General’s posting recommendations for success, but it is what I can do which has to be good enough. Yes, I could subscribe to a service that would push all posts to all the things, but I’m not really interested in spending the money.
Wear the jewelry: I am very fortunate to be married to a man who likes to buy me shiny things but I am terrible at wearing them.
I’m actually doing great here, even treating myself to a new ring. That’s a funny story actually because I did not tell my husband about that retail therapy moment so when he got a phone call from my favorite jeweler for a pick-up he thought it was a repair. When we got there I very quickly did a little dance while explaining that I may have accidentally bought myself something. He loves it.
Rot: I learned this term on our Ask a Gen Z podcast and plan to rot a lot in 2024. What does it mean? Spending a day as a sloth, regularly. I do not do this enough as I feel guilty if not running around like a crazy lady.
Okay, I need to get back to this. I started 2024 with a lot of rot promise, but it disappeared at some point.
Career Casual: I will, at some point, get back to corporate life but on a much more casual level.
Zero progress. I was inches away from a new position but it fell through. What I realized through that process is that being selective is okay. More importantly, I’m (slowly) learning that I have value even without a corporate business card.
Letting go of the riff-raff: This has been an eye-opening year when it comes to my relationships. Relationships really shouldn’t be a daily ride on the struggle bus, should they?
Still a work in progress. I may have let go of the riff-raff but am still struggling with that necessity. Yes, I have gotten closer to accepting that some people are just dicks or that some people become dicks or whatever, but there is still a lot to unpack.
Clean out the toaster oven: I hate doing this and will buy a new one every year to avoid it. Dear Kohls, not this year.
Currently successful. The toaster oven is pristine.
Sing When You Win: There is nothing wrong with working hard for something and screaming from the rooftops when success is met.
Will always be a work in progress but I’m getting better at it. I’ve done some things that many will never, ever do. I can be proud of that and I can be proud out loud. If I cross paths with someone who isn’t supportive? That’s not a “me” problem, now, is it?
So how’s it going? All in all, pretty great. How’s it going with you?
Feel like you missed something?