2025.
It's hard to believe that there has been 25 years into the 21st century. As usual, I have my goals, my aspirations for the coming year.
But before I go into my goals, here is a quick review of 2024 first.
A Review of 2024
It seems like 2024 flew by; there are times that I don't remember months, but unlike last year (2023), I didn't mentally "check out" and spend my months reading. I did read more books in January and February; but this has become my norm in the past few years. I experience the "winter blues" and focus on reading rather than doing anything creative.
This year was a big year for me. My husband, kids, and I went to visit my exchange "sister" in Langevåg, Norway (close to Ålesund) for ten days at the end of April. It was an amazing trip, and my kids have been begging to go back. I definitely told Stina that it didn't need to be close to 20 years before we saw each other again, so we are planning on getting together hopefully mid-way (perhaps Spain?) next time. It truly was a magical trip.
This year, I focused most of my reading on finding books with Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters. I wanted to curate a really good list to have linked on my socials (you can find the list HERE) and I had been enjoying figuring out what I liked, or didn't like about how some Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters were written. My friend, Desi, and I went on a few LIVES on TikTok discussing this and I realized there was a need for an online ASL Book Club, so I started one on Fable (you can find more on the DEAFinitely Readers page) in April. Since then, we've read some of my favorites this year (Quiet Beautiful Things, Unravel, The Right Sign, and more) and had great discussions with the group. I do a livestream to discuss the week's chapters on Wednesday nights.
Starting the ASL Book club sparked another idea (mostly at the request of the club) - an online ASL Bookish merchandise shop. Thus, the Signs & Stories Shop was born. I began drawing more and creating some fun illustrations like "I'm Deaf, but also, I'm reading, so I'm ignoring you" or "I'm lip-reading but in my mind, I'm reading my book" as well as the traditional "Happy Reading" (my sign off phrase) with both ASL and English on bags, stickers, shirts, and more. Of course, we have some DEAFinitely Readers merch as well. Desi from A DEAFinitely Novel Life also created a couple of designs on the shop.
Additionally, what came from starting the book club was the opportunity to be a Deaf Sensitivity reader for 2 authors. I loved that and hope that I can continue to have those opportunities.
The rest of the year was spent updating my website, adding new items to the shop, cross-stitching and more. I did finish the rewrite of Water's Grasp (previously TLD), and started the editing process (edited 35/50 chapters) as well as edited 5 Deaf Tales.
So, all in all, I feel that 2024 was a big productive year. Am I a published author? Not yet, but I feel closer than ever.
(And any and all profit from your support and purchases from the shop go to my publishing!)
So what are my 2025 Goals? They have to do with everything I care about: writing, reading, personal life (family), health, and my hobbies.
2025 New Year Goals
So what are my 2025 Goals? They have to do with everything I care about: writing, reading, personal life (family), health, and my hobbies.
Goal 1: Writing
This is my biggest goal - I would like to get Book 1 of the Heritage series (previously TLD) out to beta readers and hopefully, self-published by end of year. I'd love for it to be published by November.
I'd also like to finish editing the last 8 Deaf Tales (Once Upon a Deaf Time) and work on getting this anthology published as well.
I'd like to finish drafting Unexpectedly Yours (previously Love's Uncharted Journey), and finish the rewrite of The Curse of Magic (previously Magic Trials), and The Gift. I'd also like to finish drafting and plotting Book 2, 3, and 4 of the Heritage - this is a big goals, but if I can just get it plotted...
Goal 2: Reading
I did not set a goal for reading last year. but did have a goal of reading books from my TBR Jar - and books that I already owned. I did read over 150 books, but did not read books I already owned - or books from the TBR Jar.
That is a goal I am going to try again to complete - get my physical TBR down (it's currently over 200 books!) I am very much a mood reader and have a habit of wanting to read the book before I purchase but after purchasing, I don't necessarily want to read the book at that moment. So I put it aside for a while and then forget I have it.
I did not do my "Jar of the Month" and I feel like if I try that, I probably won't keep to that goal (for the 3rd year). I do have a TBR book tree, and I'd like to pick a book at least once a month from there. Additionally, I will be pausing my Kindle Unlimited for a few months to try to catch up to my books I already have.
I'd also like to continue to read more books with Deaf and Hard-of-hearing characters and find more to add to the list.
Goal 3: Personal Life (Family)
As last year, I'd love to be intentionally present when I am around my family. For me, this will be spending less time on my phone just mindlessly scrolling.
One family goal we have is to watch less T.V. during dinner times, so I'm hoping this will help with my mindless scrolling. We've gotten several board games recently, so I'm hoping that we'll spend more time together playing games as a family.
My plan is to set my phone aside once I am done with work at least until the kids are in bed to focus on being present.
Goal 4: Health
I was more active last year.... at least until summer. But I recently acquired a stand-up desk and already, I am feeling better by standing instead of just sitting the entire work day. I'd still love to be healthier so I am keeping my goal from last year, which was just moving.
Yes, maybe exercising more, but really, it's to get me to move: to take a daily walk, to go ice-skating more, to bike on the trainer - or on the trails, to hike, etc. Just be more active.
Goal 5: Creative Hobbies
I'm keeping the same title from last year; however, it is a little different this year. I want to spend time weekly being creative - whether this is drawing new illustrations, cross-stitching, or creating social images.
These creative hobbies won't just be used for the Signs & Stories Shop, but a vast majority would be used for the shop. I'd like to grow with my illustrations and be able to finally complete a couple of cross-stitch projects: project 1: I would like to be further along in my WIP cross-stitch project; it is a visual representation of Water's Grasp complete with the heroine, a lighthouse, and a castle in the mists; project 2: I'd also like to finish the stockings that my best friend Katherine had started for H and E before she died; project 3: annual silhouettes of my children (I am missing year 2021 and 2024).
Other Continuous Goals
I do have some goals that have continued on from previous years:
Practicing Patience
I need to have patience with my children. To be less touched out, to want to listen to their songs and jokes 10,000 times a day, I need to have more patience with my husband - with cleaning, with agreeing that his hobbies are just as important as mine, and more.
I need to have more patience when helping my husband and children practice ASL and not get frustrated when they don't immediately understand me. And, I need to have patience with hearing people who don't understand that I am Deaf - even though I can speak.
Finally, I need to have patience and belief that I will get published.
Signing
I'm very lazy signing with my family. My kids pick up the signing easily but because I'm not consistent, then they aren't either - and aren't learning as fast. My husband needs to practice. Often it's just easier for me to read their lips. But I need to make more of an effort to sign with my family.
I also would like to have more of my Deaf Tales interpreted (which would include the voice-over and captions). It is time consuming, but I'd like to get at least 5 of them completed.
These are my 2025 goals.
What about you? What are your goals? What are your dreams?
Happy Reading!
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