My 2017 Goals
Happy (belated) Christmas all!
It's rather insane to say that.
It's rather insane to even imagine that Christmas is now belated and that 2017 is just a blink away, much less that the fact is actually true.
That being said, I decided to make a blog post today about my 'New Year's Resolution'.
I've never really been big on resolutions for the upcoming year. I always thought the idea silly and always found it ironic that a lot of the promises people make ("I am going to work out." "I am going to stop eating cupcakes." "I am going to quit my addiction to online, adorable cat videos.") are never actually kept. That being so, I never made New Year's resolutions because I know myself far too well. I am aware that I am terrible at continuing things I first begin. I am also aware that I am a lazy, procrastinating berk.
However, 2016 inspired me to change my mindset. It inspired me to be more organised and to do more things.
No, not because of the insane happenings concerning politics, nor world events, nor celebrity news.
I wish to be different this year because, honestly, it sucks like a vacuum cleaner in a black hole when you try to think back at some things you've accomplished the previous year and not one single, worthy-of-being-calculable undertaking comes to mind. ( "Well... I had a birthday. And... I watched Making A Murderer. And... I learned, like, two more songs on the ukulele.")
So, here it is; my 2017 New Year's resolutions:
Learn to play the harmonica.
This has been an interest of mine during the past year. However, I never had the time to begin such a task. Or, really, I did have the time, I simply didn't manage it like I should've. Which leads to my next:
This has been an interest of mine during the past year. However, I never had the time to begin such a task. Or, really, I did have the time, I simply didn't manage it like I should've. Which leads to my next:
Manage my time and schedule better. Plan my days and try not to waste so much time.
I can literally spend hours and hours doing mindless, unneeded activities; such as playing Internet games, looking up random searches online, and watching time-wasting YouTube videos [...I'm starting to see a pattern in my source of unneeded activities...].
And sometimes, it isn't even the Internet! Literally, sometimes I just sit there. I sit there and breathe and not even think. I could beat Patrick Star's buttock for a Doing-Absolutely-Nothing reward.
I can literally spend hours and hours doing mindless, unneeded activities; such as playing Internet games, looking up random searches online, and watching time-wasting YouTube videos [...I'm starting to see a pattern in my source of unneeded activities...].
And sometimes, it isn't even the Internet! Literally, sometimes I just sit there. I sit there and breathe and not even think. I could beat Patrick Star's buttock for a Doing-Absolutely-Nothing reward.
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Read all the books I own-- or, at least, almost all.
I added that last bit in, as you may imagine, reader, because I am in no humour to make a promise I do not intend to keep. I have a rather large book collection-- most of which my eyes have yet to digest. I wish to read most of them and actually get rid of the ones I do not enjoy. Which leads to my next:
I added that last bit in, as you may imagine, reader, because I am in no humour to make a promise I do not intend to keep. I have a rather large book collection-- most of which my eyes have yet to digest. I wish to read most of them and actually get rid of the ones I do not enjoy. Which leads to my next:
Begin to get rid of redundant junk.
Before I explain myself, I would like to state that, no, I am not converting to minimalism. I simply have a lot of junk that I do not use and/or relish that is simply taking up space.
What's the point in hoarding a whole bunch of books I do not find pleasure in reading, when I could use the free space on my bookshelves for more books that I do, in fact, actually enjoy? What's the point in filling up my small closet with dresses or shirts I will never wear, when I could use that extra space for more, cosy, thrift-store-bought sweaters? Same with shoes, cosmetic items, &ct. This one may take a bit longer to accomplish than others since I am a very sentimental person towards objects. However, I am hopeful.
What's the point in hoarding a whole bunch of books I do not find pleasure in reading, when I could use the free space on my bookshelves for more books that I do, in fact, actually enjoy? What's the point in filling up my small closet with dresses or shirts I will never wear, when I could use that extra space for more, cosy, thrift-store-bought sweaters? Same with shoes, cosmetic items, &ct. This one may take a bit longer to accomplish than others since I am a very sentimental person towards objects. However, I am hopeful.
Write more poetry.
This year, I wrote much prose; be that in short story, essay, and simple, everyday writing. I used to write poetry a lot in my previous years. However, I haven't written any in, oh, two years? I want to become a better writer-- in both prose and poetry. And to be better, I must write more.
Blog more.
If you are a loyal frequent reader of this very blog (I love you) then you will know that I have no particular posting schedule. I either write three posts a week or once every month-- or, in some case, one every six months. I wish to have a steady blogging schedule, and I wish to do it frequently. Despite the work it takes to think up and write a blog post-- and despite the disappointment when, most of the time, that blog post doesn't get any views and the site has the same popularity level as it did in 2014: none-- I do enjoy blogging very much. It is a splendid hobby of mine.
Finish Mr Darcy & I.
Many of you may recall a story I was working on back in 2014 (I believe) titled: Me & Mr Darcy. It was a modernisation of the Jane Austen classic: Pride and Prejudice.
Towards the end of last year and the very beginning of this year, I was in a state of editing the finished novel. However, when doing so, I became very displeased and heartbroken. The story was an absolute turd. My writing was horrid, my closeness to the original story by Miss Austen was dreadfully faint. It was ghastly! I decided to put it away forever and to have nothing to do with it: my very first novel. During my melancholy afterward, however, the story continued to linger in my mind. Why? Whatever for?
To cure the gloom, I decided that I should rewrite it completely. Better yet, I should make it a different story. I should write it in my newfound writing style instead of the previous, typical, childish one of which I wrote the other story. I should add more book quotes, and make it relate more to the original, beloved P&P of which I completely and utterly adore. I began writing it around the middle of last year and am about halfway (perhaps a little less) through it. I have no particular writing schedule for it-- which is why it's taking me so long to write. Perhaps if I have an end date in mind, I will be influenced and inspired to write more.
If you wish to read what I have so far, you may check it out on Wattpad.
Towards the end of last year and the very beginning of this year, I was in a state of editing the finished novel. However, when doing so, I became very displeased and heartbroken. The story was an absolute turd. My writing was horrid, my closeness to the original story by Miss Austen was dreadfully faint. It was ghastly! I decided to put it away forever and to have nothing to do with it: my very first novel. During my melancholy afterward, however, the story continued to linger in my mind. Why? Whatever for?
To cure the gloom, I decided that I should rewrite it completely. Better yet, I should make it a different story. I should write it in my newfound writing style instead of the previous, typical, childish one of which I wrote the other story. I should add more book quotes, and make it relate more to the original, beloved P&P of which I completely and utterly adore. I began writing it around the middle of last year and am about halfway (perhaps a little less) through it. I have no particular writing schedule for it-- which is why it's taking me so long to write. Perhaps if I have an end date in mind, I will be influenced and inspired to write more.
If you wish to read what I have so far, you may check it out on Wattpad.
Finish Star Trek TNG.
Yes, yes. I know this is a rather silly one. However, it is one I want to complete. I started TNG a little over a year ago, and am still not finished with it. I want to, in future, watch other television shows from the Star Trek franchise. But to do so, I must finish the second one. I rather enjoy watching them, there is just so many-- especially compared to TOS-- and is a shade overwhelming.
Get my learner's permit.
"When are you going to start driving, Tori?"
"You're old enough to drive, aren't you?"
"Have you read that driver's manual, yet?"
I've heard these statements and much more for the past year and a half now. And, yes, I do know I am going to need it one day. Yes, I do know many people younger than I already have their driver's licence. Yes, these sorts of questions do bug me.
Who said I had to learn how to drive right when I turned sixteen? Who said I had to have my licence by the time I'm seventeen?
That's right. No-one. It's okay to want to take my time.
In my life right now, I don't need to drive. Everywhere I go is with my parents and/or sister, and I am in no current position where my inability to drive is a burden to myself or to others.
To be honest, the only reason I have this on my list is that I know I will need my licence by the time I get out of school in 2018-- especially for when I get a job. If I get my permit this year, I can get my licence a year later. However, I feel as though there is no need to rush into anything yet.
"You're old enough to drive, aren't you?"
"Have you read that driver's manual, yet?"
I've heard these statements and much more for the past year and a half now. And, yes, I do know I am going to need it one day. Yes, I do know many people younger than I already have their driver's licence. Yes, these sorts of questions do bug me.
Who said I had to learn how to drive right when I turned sixteen? Who said I had to have my licence by the time I'm seventeen?
That's right. No-one. It's okay to want to take my time.
In my life right now, I don't need to drive. Everywhere I go is with my parents and/or sister, and I am in no current position where my inability to drive is a burden to myself or to others.
To be honest, the only reason I have this on my list is that I know I will need my licence by the time I get out of school in 2018-- especially for when I get a job. If I get my permit this year, I can get my licence a year later. However, I feel as though there is no need to rush into anything yet.
Contemplate my future.
People ask me all the time, along with questions concerning driving, something along the lines of: "What are you thinking of doing after school?" Whenever I reply that I do not know, the questions then turn to college. Whenever I reply that I am not contemplating college, everyone becomes shocked and completely and utterly distraught.
"But education is important!"
"I still think you should go to college; see what you may want to do."
But the fact of the matter is, person, that I am broke. My family is poor. God provides for us, and we go through life one day at a time when it concerns money. I don't have money to simply go to college to "find what I want to do". And, frankly, even if I did, I don't want another four or so years of school. If I'm going back, it will be for a particular purpose. If I officially decide that I want to have a career in writing, I will then go to college or take specific classes for it. Same with every other career possibility I may have in mind.
That being so, I want to spend 2017 looking into and contemplating certain career paths. I want to look into many different things with an opened mind.
"But education is important!"
"I still think you should go to college; see what you may want to do."
But the fact of the matter is, person, that I am broke. My family is poor. God provides for us, and we go through life one day at a time when it concerns money. I don't have money to simply go to college to "find what I want to do". And, frankly, even if I did, I don't want another four or so years of school. If I'm going back, it will be for a particular purpose. If I officially decide that I want to have a career in writing, I will then go to college or take specific classes for it. Same with every other career possibility I may have in mind.
That being so, I want to spend 2017 looking into and contemplating certain career paths. I want to look into many different things with an opened mind.
Get closer to God.
I want to grow closer to God in 2017. My current walk with God is a lot more intimate than it was, say, a year ago. However, I want to grow closer. What can I join God in? What is His will for my life?
On that note, I also wish to study the Bible a lot more closely this year. Instead of reading for leisure, I want to read and find out what God is trying to say to me. I want to connect stories with lifetime events. I want to know the Bible, as well as it's glorious Maker. That also being so, I want to study Biblical truths and law. I want to live a life that God can be proud of.
On that note, I also wish to study the Bible a lot more closely this year. Instead of reading for leisure, I want to read and find out what God is trying to say to me. I want to connect stories with lifetime events. I want to know the Bible, as well as it's glorious Maker. That also being so, I want to study Biblical truths and law. I want to live a life that God can be proud of.
Manage my money better.
My current source of income is from parents, via washing my darling puppies. I must say, it is rather good money, especially since I have to frequently wash Buddy-- due to him being a poodle and his curly hair grasping onto abhorrent aromas like honey to fuzz. In 2017, I want to manage my money better. I want to put some aside for tithing, some aside for 'savings' (specifically for me and Momma's trip to Cornwall someday), some aside for personal needs, and some aside for a mission project I am currently working on (which will lead to my next one...) all while keeping a handsome amount in my wallet for my obsession: thrift store shopping. It is doable, I'm sure.
Begin and continue my Period Pouch Project.
Perhaps in the near future, I will write a specific post for this particular project. However, for now, a simple paragraph will do:
Recently I decided that I wanted to do something for God. Yes, I co-lead our children's ministry at The Neighborhood Church with my mom. But I wanted to do something else, something more personal. I watched an inspiring video on YouTube that gave me an idea to start the Period Pouch Project: a ministry where I create little bags for homeless women or women who simply don't have enough money to afford menstrual and feminine products. I will write another blog post with more information and details within the next few weeks.
And that is all! I hope you all enjoyed this post!
Sorry if this post seemed too ranty!
What are some of your New Year's resolutions?
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