It's been a while and as usual, updates about life, goals, and where I've left things, need updates. Is this really surprising to anyone?
I had every intention of doing a "Summer of Creativity" and working on something that fill my creative bucket every night. I can say that, for the most part, I did something at least three times a week.
Was it editing? No. Was it writing? Again, no. Was it drawing? Nope. I haven't touched ProCreate since at least May.
I did read almost 60 books from June to August. This was my goal for the full year. I also worked on 3 cross-stitch projects, but only finished one (so far). I also spent at least 30 minutes a night scrolling social media (uhhmm, TikTok). I have continued posting, though not nearly as much as I probably should. So while it isn't what I had expected, I can say that I feel like I am finally starting to feel like I am accomplishing something.
It's Been an Off Year
Interestingly, my husband and I recently discussed the fact that this year has seemed to be so slow, and yet, we can barely remember what we've done it's gone so fast. We also talked about how both of us have felt like we haven't accomplished much of anything - much less any of our personal goals.
I don't know if it is from grief - from the loss of my friend Katherine (see this blog post) - from the trauma of another early birth and C-Section, or if it's the world reopening again after COVID and not knowing how to handle it.
I'm not sure why we've both had what we feel is an "off year" but, I'm really hoping that next year, is better.
Starting Now
But I can't depend on next year being better. I have to start now to hopefully work towards a better year. I've set a few things in motion to hopefully begin the process of inching towards my vision of success.
I've scheduled regular monthly sessions with my therapist (yay for taking care of my mental health!)
I've moved from sitting in a comfortable chair to edit, or write, or cross-stitch - to sitting at the table in a harder chair. (This was my husband's suggestion. So far, it's working)
I've set up "video days" - in which I prepare in advance what books I'm discussing, videos I'm recording, etc. and then editing on another day. Then posting those one a day - or at least 3 times a week.
I'm making reasonable weekly goals - and writing them down.
This week's goal(s): read one book, complete 1 blog, work on DFT (edit 2 stories, create 1 story image); create 1 short story video, create 3 TikToks. If I have time, prep for NaNoWriMo and work on one of Christmas cross-stitch projects.
This would give me at least one thing a day, or two small things.
While this doesn't seem like a lot, or maybe it does, I'm trying to not overwhelm myself but at the same time, give myself enough of a push to start completing items. I may have written all the DFT, but now, it's time to edit. Hopefully, after editing, I can have beta readers and edits again because I'd really, really, like to get that anthology published. I mean, who am I kidding. I'd love to get my novel(s) also published, so I guess we will see.
NaNoWriMo is starting soon (well, soon-ish). I haven't prepped much and I'm not sure exactly what I will be working on. I'll make another post about NaNo and prepping. Stay tuned for a poll to help me decide!
As this is now a rambling post, I'm going to stop while I'm somewhat ahead.
Write on.
Comments