New Year, New Goals

We don't use the "r" word here...

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

I guess it’s that time again. Time to write a sort of “accountability” post and try to hold myself to the goals I’ve made for myself for the coming year.

While I did “o.k.” last year, I want to improve for 2023. So, on Jan 1st I sat down with my brand-new Traveler’s Notebook and snazzy new (to me) fountain pen and scribbled (literally) down what I wanted to accomplish this year.

Let me apologize for my penmanship. I will cling to the excuse that I’m left-handed in defense of my sloppy handwriting until the day I die! If only I had my dad’s penmanship. He has the nicest handwriting, for a man, that I think I’ve ever seen.

Taking some of my own advice (corroborated by some insightful reader comments), I’ve decided to be a bit broader in my goals.

Anyway, here’s the list :

• “Read more / finish one book” : I’m still working on Vahalla Rising by Clive Cussler and Jabin Kainos and the Manifest Chronicles by Vince Mancuso and think I could probably finish them both. I’ll settle for just one, though.

• “Take better care of myself. Work out, walk, bike. Make it an excuse-free year.” : While I’m not yet where I’d like to be on this one, I have made some headway and will cut myself some slack because the week is only three weeks old. I’ve been going on walks almost daily and that’s a good start.

• “Let the people important to me know how valuable they are.” : While pretty nebulous, I will be honest as to whether this gets done. This one stemmed from a scare over Christmas concerning my dad’s health. He was fine, and it was a good wake-up call for someone who’s been smoking for over 60 years.

• “Don’t dwell on failures and regrets” : Another nebulous one but, again, one I plan on being totally honest about.

• “Journal more and find value in it” : While I didn’t say “journal every day” (See? I am learning!) I have been doing so and taking a more relaxed approach to it. I will jot a few things down in the morning and then come back in the afternoon / evening with an update or more musings. I’m still looking for the value which everyone tells me is there. Again, the year is still young. As of this writing, I have been doing this every day.

• “Draw more.” : Any amount would be ‘more’ so I think I’ll do o.k. with this one :)

• “Be less lazy.” : Self-explanatory, I think. A yearly one, as well.

• “Be a better person.” : One I strive for every year and like to think I do o.k. with.

I think “Get back to my writing routine” will be creeping onto the list as I’ve been very lax with that for the past few months (which, I guess, is obvious). Sometimes the distractions overtake the motivation and that’s where I’ve been, which makes me glad I didn’t decide on writing to make a living. Seriously, though, a better focus on getting back into a writing routine is due and something I’ll definitely be adding to the list.

What resolutions / goals are you setting for the new year?

Let me know, down below!