I said that 2018 was going to be all about being kind to myself and not setting a lot of goals this year. My aim was to do short-term goals of the month-long persuasion. Here is my main focus for this first month of 2018.
- Journal every day. Even if it is just a few sentences every day, I want to get better about recording my thoughts and feelings. I have found this such a helpful habit in the past for helping assuage stress and anxiety. With Jim still searching for that illusive-so-far job and me entering the busiest part of my year, I am looking for anything that will help me deal with it all.
- To get caught up on all review copies. I spent most of 2017 having gotten myself into a review copy hole out of which I was never quite able to dig myself. I learned my lesson on requesting more than I can ever possibly read in a timely fashion. As such I have kept my 2018 requests and review copies to a minimum. By my calculations, I have seven more January 2018 review copies to read and 11 review copies from 2017 to finish. If I can read even three from my 2017 pile, I will consider myself successful. That would put me at having read 12 books in January. I have read more in a given month, so I believe that is completely doable.
- Prep for dance competitions. Holly’s list of makeup, tights, and accessories is long this year. Even though her first competition is not until the end of February, I want to make sure we are ready well in advanced with everything packed and in its proper place in her bag as soon as possible. It makes competition season so much easier to not have to scramble at the last minute.
That’s it. Three simple things to accomplish this month. One is a habit I would like to gain, one is just a continuation of what I have been trying to accomplish for months, and the third is preparation for something I need to do anyway. There are other things I would like to do, like take more baths, write a few letters to my senators and representative (because you know we have more battles on that front), and that sort of thing, but I am not going to either track these things or feel guilty for not doing so. After all, this year’s theme is being kind and the kindest thing I can do is take it easy each month.
Okay, I totally love that we have the same goal for the year!!! I envy those people who live their entire life that way, who know how to at least occasionally put themselves first instead of everyone and everything else. Here’s to much success for both of us!!! Happy 2018, Michelle!!!
Thanks, Debi! And Happy 2018 to you too!
Your goals seem doable. Good luck and enjoy January!
Thanks, Kelly!
Good luck with your goals! I admire you for your dedication to review copies. I think I would have just said nope by now if I had a pile that large looming over me, haha.
Thanks, Amanda! They were all books I requested, and I could never get over that feeling of obligation to read them. It isn’t a heavy feeling – just more I requested them therefore I have a duty to read them. Plus, I really wanted to read them. So it never bothers me to keep them out there. My problem was requesting too many. I think I had 30 review copies that released in September. Lesson learned that I do have to say no, which I have been able to do since then. I will find that balance, maybe after 9 years of doing this. 😉
Excellent plan with shorter term goals and being kind to yourself.
Thanks, Juli!
Great way to start the year! I need to start thinking about competition season and planning things soon. We’ll have to stay overnight one of the events and I haven’t even looked at where or when it is.
I’m so fascinated by journaling, but I never know what I’d write. Do you just put down your feelings for the day or what happened during that day? I have tried journaling before, and then I felt stupid about what I wrote.
I like the idea of you being ‘kind’ to yourself and getting those thoughts down. I have used journals at times myself and they have helped me. Taking a few luxurious baths sounds like a plan too. I’ve been through very, very stressful times now and then and what I learned was taking care of my mental health (that horrible little hamster-on-a wheel in my head) is important. So ‘breathe’, just ‘breathe’. Thinking of you and wishing you well. Hugs!
Thanks, Kay! Breathing, focusing on the present, and trying to get out of your head are probably the kindest things you can do for yourself in times of stress. It is my hope they work!