Welcome to the new year!
While I did post this on my insta and Facebook, it was getting a little long winded (shocking, I know), so now it’s a blog post. Which I guess is good, since I need to occasionally update the ol’ website.
January is the time of year when I get to reflect back on all I accomplished last year. Just look at all those red checks!
Last year, I did complete some goals, not as many as I wanted, but I did get to check a few off my overall plan such as…
- travel–I took a quick 1-day trip to San Francisco to experience the cool weather and delicious seafood. It was a long day, but one I enjoyed because I took the time to relax and enjoy a day outside in one of my favorite cities. I also took a quick weekend trip to Las Vegas with my oldest and dearest friends. We’ve known each other since we were 5 years old, but now we all live far apart from each other and don’t get to see each other very often, at least not all together. It was a great few days to laugh and reconnect. There’s something about face-to-face contact that zoom and text messages just can’t compare to.
- career–I had one short story published in The Bedroom Diaries anthology. I really like A Midnight Scandal and the characters of Hugh and Lillian. Once I get the rights back to it I can’t wait to expand it into a longer story, perhaps a novella. I want to explore these characters so much more.
- school–I also took steps to advance my non-writing career. Let’s face it, writing doesn’t pay the bills, especially since I don’t have any stand alone stories released or a backlist to promote. I went back to school and worked on getting transferring to a Cal State uni. But in the middle of all this, I realized what I want to do doesn’t require the degree, only a certificate, so I took the steps necessary to get one.
- wealth–I started saving more money. Not buying food at work really pays off and my overtime money went towards fun stuff and savings. Well, more towards funs stuff, but that’s a whole other can of worms. Even still, I am slowly building my savings back.
- car–It was a sad day in 2024 when I had to accept the fact that the first car I purchased new, my trust dusty Honda CR-V was on it’s last legs. I knew the day would come, but after 18 years and 305,000+ miles, it was hard to say goodbye. But I did, and in its place I am now leasing a 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid in Deep Sea Blue. It was the biggest splurge of the year. I love my new car!
Now I’m getting ready for 2025. I know the new year started, but there are factors in place right now that mean my new year goals won’t kick in until next week. But I’ve been planning and gearing up for this for the past several weeks and can’t wait until things get going.
- FORWARD–My word for this year is forward. I’ve been stagnant for so long (burnout is a bitch, ya’ll) and nothing felt good or real or achievable. My trips, especially Las Vegas, did much to refresh and revive me. I worked on a new story while I was there in the hopes that I would release it in time for Christmas 2024, but that didn’t happen. But it gave me push I needed to get into writing again. It was forward movement–something I hadn’t experienced in over 8 months–and it felt good. So instead of chasing that feeling, I’m going to work for it. Any progress is forward progress and that is my theme for this year.
- travel–I want to go more places and experience more things than I did last year. I want to go to London again, I want to see Disneyland Paris, I want to go to Mackinac Island, I want to hike in the Grand Tetons. I want to spend time outside reconnecting with nature and myself.
- music & theatre–these go hand in hand with travel because the biggest thing I want to do is go to London and see the Hans Zimmer concert. I know it was in California last year, but by the time I found out about it tickets were in the triple digits. If I’m going to spend triple digits on a concert, I may as well make a vacation of it, right? I also got tickets for the local symphony and am eagerly awaiting what shows they’re going to have for the upcoming musical season.
- wellness–I’m going to focus on wellness this year. I want to lose a few pounds, and get in shape to hike the Grand Tetons and walk around London. But most importantly, I need to get to the bottom of what is causing these days-long headaches and migraines.
- dream job–I’m burned out with a public-facing job. It’s a lot harder dealing with hostile and entitled people these days. So I’ve taken some steps to find a new job. I’ve applied for another position in my department (the same one I applied for and didn’t get last year), and I am now enrolled in school to get a certificate to be a crime analyst. This means my first 6 months of 2025 are going to be super busy, but well worth it in the long run.
- writing–I have plans again. I always get these great writing ideas at the beginning of the year and I never meet them. But I’ve booked a custom book cover for June, so I now have 6 months to write the story. Deadlines, friends, they are great motivations!
- puppy–as always, I put a puppy on my yearly goal. Not just any puppy, but a male tri-color Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I’ve been in contact with a breeder and am on the list. But since they don’t breed very often, and I only got on the list last year, I’m at the bottom of the list so I don’t know when it will happen.
So there it is, my big goals for the year are out in the universe now. I can’t wait to see them come to fruition. For the first time in a long time, I’m actually excited for the coming year (despite things happening right now).
I’ve got some other things going on, so keep an eye open for more updates and news to come!
Christina
Your turn! What are some goals you’ve put out in the universe for this year?
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