Tag: looking ahead

life: 2019 goals and a recap

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Happy New Year! It’s time for the obligatory New Year’s goal post. But, first, let’s celebrate what went right in 2018.

Good things in 2018

  • I got my promotion!
  • Celebrated 1 year of podcasting (The Bluestocking Circle Podcast)
  • Wrapped up another round of edits with the intention to start querying
  • Restarted my fitness “journey”
  • Committed to eating less meat and adopted a more plant-based diet
  • Committed to letting things go, both emotionally and physically
  • Discovered The Four Tendencies and learned a lot about myself (video to come!)

All good things indeed.

Goals for 2019

  1. Continue to focus on health – dealing with PCOS and hypo symptoms, and using food to heal my body.
  2. Start querying!
  3. Work on a new (old) manuscript
  4. Focus on mental health. I’ve been dealing with more stress than usual and it’s starting to manifest in physical symptoms (see goal 1).

I keep my goals simple. #1 and 4 will definitely affect my ability to accomplish 2 and 3, but I’m optimistic.

What are your goals for 2019? Let me know in the comments 🙂

looking back on 2015

The time has come to speak of many things… or something like that. I usually do a recap post in December, so it seems about right to start looking back on 2015 as the holidays approach. It’s been a strange year, productive in some ways, terribly slow in others.

I published several academic pieces: one book, a journal article (with another accepted for publication), and a dozen or so book reviews. I attended three professional conferences and spoke at one; gave a book talk and a lecture on writing, accepted a supervisory position (with all the duties that entails), and finally convinced the library administration to let me purchase bean bags for student use (they’ve been a hit). I read over 50 books (surpassing my original goal of 30) in several genres, including non-fiction and self-improvement.

I KonMari’d my home (still in progress and still as effective) and bought a couch (much to my family’s delight, visitors can now actually sit beside each other). I tried and failed to create a capsule wardrobe, realizing that I already have a strong sense of what I like to wear, so why try to limit my options; and weeded my TBR pile to a sustainable little collection of books that I actually intend to read.

I completed the third draft of my primary work in progress, the as-yet-untitled AnĂșna (maybe soon to be titled?), and have a nearly finished draft of this year’s NaNo novel, along with a working plan for Cassiel draft three and AnĂșna draft four. There have been a lot of words in my life this year and many more to come.

I lost my cat of 14 years, a loss that still resonates, and gained a new little friend who requires more attention than I anticipated, but makes me smile with his silly antics and sweet meeps.

Midway through the year, I found myself turning more and more to yoga as a way to relieve stress, pain, and just find peace. It’s become a regular part of my week, and I hope to continue to grow my practice as I gain strength and flexibility. I haven’t been as disciplined about my diet or my savings, but I look forward to a fresh start after taking some time for myself.

Here’s looking to a restful holiday season and bright new year.

looking back and looking ahead

I’m all set for the new year. Even though it’s a completely arbitrary time, the thought of new things to come makes me feel hopeful for the future. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a resolution person, I’m a list person who sets personal goals (that’s what I’m calling it and I’m sticking to it). I accomplished quite a bit this year

1) Co-wrote a book that is going to be published(!)
2) Took a major leap in advancing my career by accepting a new position
3) Bought a new car (If you knew the story, you’d understand why this is an accomplishment)
4) Stuck to my guns and continued working on the manuscript (because I really do think it’s worth it)
5) Reached the big 30 with a modicum of grace
6) Finally shifted 5 of the 10 lbs I put on during the 4 years spent on the last job (the constant presence of cookies, pizza, sweets, etc. was not good)

2015

This year, I’m looking forward to a few more personal challenges, not all of which involve writing.

1) I’m going to make a concerted effort to refresh my wardrobe in 2015. This will involve

a. Clearing out old bags, jewelry, and other effects that no longer fit my style–let’s face it, I no longer want to look like an emo teen.

b. Classing up my wear-to-work look which had suffered a bit since I made the switch from an institution that required business wear for all to one that allows faculty to make their own fashion choice.

2) Fit running back into my regular workout routine.

a. Because I enjoy the way it makes me feel.

b. Because it’s been too long since I could call myself a regular runner.

3) Get into the habit of an evening writing schedule.*

a. Because shit needs to get done.

b. Because mornings no longer work and I’ve come to accept that fact.
*this may lead to increased madness and anti-social behavior.