2016 Wrap up, 2017 launch
(It seems that I only blog for memorial posts and resolutions these days...)
Every year, inspired by jbknowles I choose a word to define my goals, plans and resolutions. My word for 2016 was Diversification. I wanted to spread out, try new things. Here's how I did:
ETA: the initial description is from January 2016, the "How I Did" is today's assessment.
Writing: [In 2015] I spent a lot of (needed) time working on one big project. I struggled and pushed hard, and my creative well ran dry. Julia Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY helped pull me out. [In 2016] I want to Write All The Things. I'm working on a new tween novel. I have a deadline for a short story. I have some fun picture book ideas! Aside from stretching myself as a writer, I believe that having a variety of projects will help me stay excited and engaged with my creativity.
How I did: Pretty. Darn. Good. I wrote a sold a picture book to Charlesbridge! I wrote another picture book, with clowns in it (2016--bad year for subbing books with clowns). I wrote and submitted that short story to a book festival (it didn't get chosen for the all-city read, but now I have a short story to mess around with!). I am sitting on news about that middle grade that I worked on in 2015--which I also worked on a lot in 2016. And will be doing more with in 2017. I began another middle grade, and, right before the end of the year, started a Super Seekrit Project that I am so excited about I could explode. I also edited an anthology and learned a lot about screenwriting. I really stretched myself and reconnected with what makes me happy creatively. So psyched about this. WIN.
Reading: This is an easy one. I have a challenge list (Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge), an amazing book club, and a desire to keep broadening my reading experience. There's nothing better than discovering new books and new authors.
How I did: I read about 32 books in 2016, thanks to that Read Harder Challenge, the book club, and a phenomonal summer of reading. I don't count the novels I read to/with my daughter (all of the Ramona series, loads of Puppy Place chapter books, etc), so the Total Books Read is probably a lot higher. I read widely--nonfiction, biography, books featuring LGBTQ characters/authors, middle grade, YA, adult, fantasy, religion, horror, classics...I probably had the best reading year since my kids were born, in terms of number and range of books. I know this number pales in comparison to many other friends', but I'm counting it a WIN. And taking on this year's Read Harder Challenge, too!
Health: 2013 and 2014 had me running. 2015 saw me halfheartedly at the gym and spending a LOT of time on the couch (thank you, Snowpocalypse Hibernation Response). I've relaunched my running regime, but this year I want to add some yoga, Pilates and other types of exercise to the rotation. Hopefully this will keep me engaged and in shape through the winter.
How I did: Hahahahahahaha! My shape is round. I struggled in this area, big time. I will spare you my excuses. NOT successful.
Family: I am using my word to guide some of our interactions and plans this year. The kids are older and we can do some fun stuff as a family. So we're going to bust out of our comfort zones and seek out different adventures.
How I did: I specifically tried to take my kids someplace new every month. It didn't have to be a trip to a far-off land (although we did spend time in Assissi while we were in Italy last summer)--but a new park, a different town, a museum...didn't matter. I was successful 9 out of 12 months, and I really had FUN. Totally carrying this one over to this year.
Another note: One of my big goals in 2016 was to become more informed about financial stuff. I find managing money necessary, but onerous, and have never done more than the bare minimum with our checkbook (and I'm way more invested, haha, than my husband). I forced myself to learn more about financial planning, investments, etc in 2016. And you know what? It wasn't so bad. Dare I say...it was kinda fun? I got hooked on Dave Ramsey's podcast (the religious stuff aside) and it was the gateway to learning a lot. So that's a bonus Adulting goal achieved.
Overall, minus the health stuff, I feel good about what I accomplished in 2016. Diversification was a good word for me, and I'm hoping that this year's choice, Prioritize, helps me steer into another successful year. That post will follow. Ever onward!
Every year, inspired by jbknowles I choose a word to define my goals, plans and resolutions. My word for 2016 was Diversification. I wanted to spread out, try new things. Here's how I did:
ETA: the initial description is from January 2016, the "How I Did" is today's assessment.
Writing: [In 2015] I spent a lot of (needed) time working on one big project. I struggled and pushed hard, and my creative well ran dry. Julia Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY helped pull me out. [In 2016] I want to Write All The Things. I'm working on a new tween novel. I have a deadline for a short story. I have some fun picture book ideas! Aside from stretching myself as a writer, I believe that having a variety of projects will help me stay excited and engaged with my creativity.
How I did: Pretty. Darn. Good. I wrote a sold a picture book to Charlesbridge! I wrote another picture book, with clowns in it (2016--bad year for subbing books with clowns). I wrote and submitted that short story to a book festival (it didn't get chosen for the all-city read, but now I have a short story to mess around with!). I am sitting on news about that middle grade that I worked on in 2015--which I also worked on a lot in 2016. And will be doing more with in 2017. I began another middle grade, and, right before the end of the year, started a Super Seekrit Project that I am so excited about I could explode. I also edited an anthology and learned a lot about screenwriting. I really stretched myself and reconnected with what makes me happy creatively. So psyched about this. WIN.
Reading: This is an easy one. I have a challenge list (Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge), an amazing book club, and a desire to keep broadening my reading experience. There's nothing better than discovering new books and new authors.
How I did: I read about 32 books in 2016, thanks to that Read Harder Challenge, the book club, and a phenomonal summer of reading. I don't count the novels I read to/with my daughter (all of the Ramona series, loads of Puppy Place chapter books, etc), so the Total Books Read is probably a lot higher. I read widely--nonfiction, biography, books featuring LGBTQ characters/authors, middle grade, YA, adult, fantasy, religion, horror, classics...I probably had the best reading year since my kids were born, in terms of number and range of books. I know this number pales in comparison to many other friends', but I'm counting it a WIN. And taking on this year's Read Harder Challenge, too!
Health: 2013 and 2014 had me running. 2015 saw me halfheartedly at the gym and spending a LOT of time on the couch (thank you, Snowpocalypse Hibernation Response). I've relaunched my running regime, but this year I want to add some yoga, Pilates and other types of exercise to the rotation. Hopefully this will keep me engaged and in shape through the winter.
How I did: Hahahahahahaha! My shape is round. I struggled in this area, big time. I will spare you my excuses. NOT successful.
Family: I am using my word to guide some of our interactions and plans this year. The kids are older and we can do some fun stuff as a family. So we're going to bust out of our comfort zones and seek out different adventures.
How I did: I specifically tried to take my kids someplace new every month. It didn't have to be a trip to a far-off land (although we did spend time in Assissi while we were in Italy last summer)--but a new park, a different town, a museum...didn't matter. I was successful 9 out of 12 months, and I really had FUN. Totally carrying this one over to this year.
Another note: One of my big goals in 2016 was to become more informed about financial stuff. I find managing money necessary, but onerous, and have never done more than the bare minimum with our checkbook (and I'm way more invested, haha, than my husband). I forced myself to learn more about financial planning, investments, etc in 2016. And you know what? It wasn't so bad. Dare I say...it was kinda fun? I got hooked on Dave Ramsey's podcast (the religious stuff aside) and it was the gateway to learning a lot. So that's a bonus Adulting goal achieved.
Overall, minus the health stuff, I feel good about what I accomplished in 2016. Diversification was a good word for me, and I'm hoping that this year's choice, Prioritize, helps me steer into another successful year. That post will follow. Ever onward!