new year – marginalia and such

life: 2019 goals and a recap

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

Continue to focus on health – dealing with PCOS and hypo symptoms, and using food to heal my body.
Start querying!
Work on a new (old) manuscript
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 🙂

My goal is to stay positive and live fully in 2017 (and in the years to come). I’m not entirely optimistic about the state of the government and such, but I’m cautiously hopeful and pragmatic—I can’t fix everything, but I can fix the little things and be open and aware.

I’ve filmed a couple of videos for January 🙂 so there’s some newness to look forward to, but I’m keeping it simple with the goals for 2017.

Reread some old favorites (yep, there’ll be a video on that)
Feed my yoga practice
Walk more
Write consistently (and survive the mess in between)
Practice food freedom
Save for travels

That’s it. See you around for the ride 🙂

the view from winter break

It’s been a busy, festive, relaxing, productive week with lots of time for family, writing, and wellness. Here’s my week in review… with pictures!

Winter lights festival after Christmas day…

New chakra dream catcher for my meditation space (ie. my bedroom)

Some mystery for the New Year…

A little kitty play time

Lovely lattes and empanadas with the family

The view from my desk — desert rose selenite for mental clarity and Eve for inspiration (and judgement)

New mug (because I have a problem)

New Year’s brunch and new-old traditions after 9 years.

And saying good bye to 2016 by framing my favorite calendar print.

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)

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.

A few resolutions for 2011

I think I’ve done rather well at sticking to my resolutions this year. My main feat was to lower my debt, and I’ve managed to almost clear everything…

For this year, I resolve to:

Eliminate what’s left of my debt. (Not including student loans, those will be tackled in future.)
Continue watching my health and taking care of myself.
Get better at relaxing and letting things go.
Read all the books on my shelves. (I read a lot of them this year.)
Finish my MLIS. (This is not really a resolution, but I should keep spurring myself on.)
Tone up.
Go on a mini-break. (I will need this after comps…)