Well, I've just got to come out and say it: I can't believe we're already a week into the new year! 2014 has sure taken off with a bang, and these new resolutions I've made seem to have - quite uncharacteristically and unexpectedly - stuck with me so far! And since this week's Top Ten Tuesday is inclusive of both bookish and non-bookish related resolutions, I guess it's time to bore you all to tears with my personal life goals and ambitions. Try not to fall asleep, folks.
BOOKISH
1. Post more frequently
I'm a little worried about this one down the road, like during Finals or high-stress times; hence, why I specified only "more frequently" instead of my actual goal, which is everyday but Sunday. Still, I'm pretty happy with it, and it's been one of my most successful thus far!
2. Read 55 books
Upping the ante from my Goodreads goal of last year, which was only 50 (I soundly stomped it with a whopping 64 titles)! However, I'm not going any higher than that on principle: I'm hoping to improve the quality and caliber of the books I read in 2014, not just the quantity.
3. Make new friends.
Simply because I constantly find myself to be a part of an incredibly friendly and open community, and I haven't ever really made best use of that. I'd like to get to know you all better!
4. Sign up for NetGalley and Edelweiss.
Yes, I've heard of them before, and I know they're important. The fact is, I haven't signed up for them yet, simply because I am a hopeless idiot. Someone please teach me your ways?
5. Read for me, and not anyone else.
I used to live by the saying "Read a book that would make you look good if you died in the middle of it." But honestly, you can only read so much of that stuff for so long before you need a fluffy bit of marshmallow reading to mix it up with all of that good-for-you granola.
NON BOOKISH
6. Write my novel.
I've got a bit of a confession: I've been sitting on a full, fleshed-out outline (including character drafts and multiple sets of revisions) for a novel for about a half a year or so... and I'm thinking that maybe now's the time to start writing. Even if I'm the only one who sees the final draft.
7. Be a better friend.
I've gotten into the habit over the past couple of years of saying "no" to people far too often. I love my friends very much, and it's time to start showing that.
8. Adopt a healthier lifestyle.
After a string of illnesses stretching from here back to September left me depressed, angry, and perpetually unwell, I realized that being healthy isn't just about eating "good" food and living at the gym... it's about actually giving yourself the attention you need.
9. Waste less time.
Goodbye, Buzzfeed; Hello, Blogging. It's time to pay more attention to where I bestow my days, hours, and minutes, because those are what end up being used to build my year.
10. Be brave!
I've gotten through a lot of my life by being the child who always sits in the back row and didn't talk. While that used to work in the fifth grade, I'm an adult now, and I need to take responsibility for myself. The world does not favor those who stand silent, no matter how smart you are. And wouldn't you know it, but the small steps I've taken so far have been more than worth it!
So, there's my Resolutions for 2014. You're all going to keep me accountable, right?
Don't get stressed about posting during Finals or when you're extremely busy. Take a break if you need to! There's no point in being stressed over something that you do for fun :)
ReplyDeleteIt took me ages to gain the confidence to make friends in this community, but I have now and everyone I've met is so lovely so I'd definitely say go for it!
Netgalley and Edelweiss are amazing and terrible at the same time. They're amazing because of all the new and amazing books, but terrible if you get sucked in and request way too many.
I used to be the shy and silent kid as well. But University gave me the kick I needed to start speaking up more. You feel a lot better when you start participating, don't you?
Good luck with the goals/resolutions, Savannah! :D
#4 - I also need to learn these ways. And as for reading books for you, I recently had someone tell me I wasn't reading enough genres. It was a relative, so I had to keep my good opinion on that to myself. What does it matter, as long as you're reading?!
ReplyDeleteAh, all great goals! We're trying to post more frequently this year, too, and I'm trying to make a point of reading more for pleasure as well. And YES you must sign up for Netgalley and Edelweiss! But a word of caution: don't get sucked into a black hole there, either. It's all too easy to read a lot of mediocre books you don't enjoy because you're in search of the next big thing. Understandable if you get excited at first, though. ;)
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden