Out with the old, in with the new…
It’s New Year’s Eve and you know what that means… it’s time for Old Year’s Reflections and New Year’s Resolutions!
Looking back on this year I have to say it’s been quite a ride. I’ve had some pretty good ups and some pretty devastating downs.
Fave Niece & Fave Nephie in their matching Christmas outfits courtesy of their Fave Auntie.
Some ups were numerous trips to visit my sister, getting to play with Fave Nephie and watching his sweet baby personality develop into that of a rambunctious and considerate toddler. Getting to meet Fave Niece the day she was born and rocking her to sleep in my arms while humming the “Outlander” title song (works like a charm!). And (my favorite) getting to spend Christmas with the whole family including both sets of grandparents on a whirlwind three-day cross-country trip. Crazy? You bet, but so worth it…
My writing has been full of ups this year. I finished my manuscript for OCCRWA’s Book In A Year. This story went through so many changes from last year’s start during NaNo that I can’t even recognize it when I look at the early drafts. While I did finish the basic story, it is still very much a Work In Progress and I am now going back and working on the in-betweens and polishing it up a bit. Okay, quite a bit. If you’ve been following my Sunday Snippets, you’ve see the bits I’ve been working on recently. That’s another writing- related up from this year. I set up my website (with the help of a friend) and I happily maintain it on my own. Let me tell you, that is quite the accomplishment for someone as tech unsavvy as me!
As for the downs… Well, lets just say the downs got me very down for quite a long time and I am only now getting back to my old self. But enough about that.
Now, looking forward to next year, I have some grand things planned indeed! The California Dreamin’ Writers Conference is first, where I am planning on pitching, not just my story, but the entire Reluctant Lords series. More trips planned to visit Fave Niece and Nephie, and a research trip to London in the autumn is also in the works.
With all that going on, you’d think I’d be jumping on the Resolution bandwagon. Never being one to follow the crowd, I have decided not to set a NYR. Personally, I think the term “New Year’s Resolution” is kind of intimidating and scares people off. Like it’s a one shot deal. I always picture the little cartoon devil on my shoulder feeding me lies “You reverted back to old habits? You failed! Your year is over!” To me, that’s just not right.
Nope, no resolution for me. Instead I’m going to set some New Year’s Goals. A goal is much simpler to aim for and reach. It isn’t some Grand Lifestyle Change that must take place now that will automatically make life better, it is something to strive for, one step at a time.
My goals for this year are simple. Write more, work less. Get out more and experience life instead of living behind my computer. Reconnect with friends face-to-face. Live. Be active. Get healthy. Be positive. Finish at least one more story this year than I did the past year. Learn to better manage money. Appreciate the small things. Eliminate the negative forces in my life. Cook something new each week. Have fun.
Your turn – are you going to set any New Year’s Resolutions or goals this year? If so, what are they?
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!