In the past, I’ve casually set goals and resolutions for the coming year. Mostly because I knew I wasn’t going to track or even really do them. They were more of a hope list instead of a to do list. This year is going to be different y’all. I’ve got my planners all set up, actual goals that I want to put into effect laid out and I’m really looking forward to implementing them.
Here’s what I’m going to work on in the new year.
Personal
Be more mindful of my health: This includes drinking more water, eating healthier, actually working out and you know, all of the new year, new me stuff. This isn’t a new goal but it’s a goal that I’m a lot more determined to work on in the coming year.
Save money: I need to get my finances in order. It’s a hot mess right now and I’m going to really work on getting a budget going for Brenna and myself because we spend too much and don’t save anything.
Cook more: Brenna and I eat out a lot and that’s mostly because we’re lazy to cook anything. I’m also an avid Pinterest pinner but I don’t know why I don’t do any of the stuff that I pin. I’m missing out so I’m going to be trying 3 new recipes a month. I’m sure that’s doable. Fingers crossed.
These are your basic personal goals but I really want to commit to doing a better job of these in the new year so I’m going to hold myself to them.
Make time for my friends: I love my friends but I don’t see them a lot so I’m hoping to change that in the new year. My squad had the same goal for 2016 but life and laziness got in the way and our outings topped off around April. Ha!
Spend more quality time with Brenna: Brenna and I are pretty close, we spend a lot of time together but we’re both usually on our phones or iPads or our computers. I want to spend some time with Brenna without the distractions of technology. I don’t care if this isn’t one of her resolutions, it’s mine and she’s gonna spend some quality time with me, dammit. Ha!
Be more active in Church: I keep falling off this wagon but I need to give my new ward a legit shot so I’m going to work on my spirituality in the new year too. I also need to make reading my scriptures a priority too.
Blogging
Write a review for every book that I read next year: I did this for all of the new to me reads this year but next year, I want to write a review for every book that I read period. Whether they’re new reads or re-reads, they’re going to be reviewed next year. I’m pretty sure that I’m going to do this so I might not need any luck on it. Ha!
Write 4 non-review posts for Book Binge every month: We want to get back to discussing bookish topics on Book Binge so I’m going to commit to writing more non-review posts. We’re a book blog, not just a book review site.
Get back to book blogging for fun: My blogging teammates over at Book Binge and I have decided that we’re going to get back to basics in the new year on our book blog. It’s going to be a lot more personal and a lot less production. So we’re not going to be doing a lot of promoting but a lot more discussing, reviewing and celebrating the books that we’re loving and excited for. So there will be less blog tours and cover reveals and more…love for our favorite books and authors. There will also be a lot more giveaways since we’re turning 10 next year and we’ve got lots of book love and celebrating to do.
Keep things simple on weendizzle: I don’t want to stress myself out over blogging and stuff so I’m going to keep things a lot simpler here on this blog.
This blog is going to be more about the things that I love outside of books. I do love other things, so you’ll get a lot more posts about my planner addiction (which I totally blame on Nick and Nereyda but also on Bookish Ames), my family shenanigans, movies & TV show goodness.
Comment, comment, comment!: I need to be more active around the blogosphere. Bloggers show love to other bloggers by commenting and I need to step my game up on that. Wish me luck!
Books
Reading at least 100 books: My reading slowed down at the end of this year so next year, I’m going to shoot to read 100 books and not stress myself out to read more than that.
Read more of my own books: I’m going to focus on reading my own books in the coming year. I’m always so focused on my review pile that my TBR pile never gets touched, or rarely gets touched so 2017 will be the year that I actually tackle my own books.
Only request or accept requests for books from favorite authors, books I’m already looking forward to or series I’m continuing in the year: In order to focus on reading my own books next year, I’m going to have to curb my eARC and ARC requesting. So I’ll only be accepting and requesting eARCs for series I’m continuing and my favorite authors. I’m going to need all of you to cross your fingers for me on this one. Ha!
Reading Challenges
I’m going to participating in a few reading challenges this year to kind of liven things up and to also get my ass in gear on reading my own books.
1. January 18: We Love Short Shorts! (category romance, short stories, novella etc.) | Winning the Wallflower by Eloisa James
2. February 15: New-To-You Author | Rise by Karina Bliss
3. March 15: Comfort Read (Favorite Author? Favorite Trope? Favorite Sub Genre?) | Broken by Lauren Layne
4. April 19: Contemporary | Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras
5. May 17: Something Different (outside your comfort zone, unusual setting, non-romance etc.) | Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
6. June 21: Favorite Trope (a favorite theme – amnesia? secret baby? fairy tale? friends-to-lovers? etc.) | A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole (second chance romance)
7. July 19: Series Catch-Up (a book from a series you’re behind on) | Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
8. August 16: Kicking It Old School (publication date 10 years or older) | Lady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa Kleypas
9. September 20: Historical | A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
10. October 18: Paranormal or Romantic Suspense | Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
11. November 15: Recommended Read (a book recommended to you by someone) | Kulti by Mariana Zapata (Ames)
12. December 20: Holiday Themes | Christmas Eve at Friday by Lisa Kleypas
1. January: Re-read a book you rated 5 stars in 2015 | Sustained by Emma Chase
2. February: A book with red on the cover
3. March: Finish a series you started
4. April: A book recommended to you that you wouldn’t have picked for yourself
5. May: A book with a name in the title
6. June: A book released in 2017
7. July: Read something outside your reading comfort zone
8. August: A book set in the U.K.
9. September: A book with a woman on the cover
10. October: A book set in the future
11. November: Start a new series
12. December: A Book by a favorite author
Yeah, I’ve already chosen the books that I’m going to read out of my TBR stash because I like to be prepared. Those are the only two actual reading challenges that I’m going to focus my energies on this coming year. If I do too many of them, I won’t do them or track them and it starts to feel like a job so just the two for me (outside of my GR challenge).
So there you have it. A place where all of my resolutions and goals for the new year are. Good luck to all of you who have goals to achieve in the new year and wish me luck back because I’m going to need it. Ha! Whatever you’re doing to ring in the new year, I hope you do it safely and have a blast.
Hugs,
Me
Happy New Year, Rowena! I love so many of your resolutions because they are mine too. I need to be better about saving and spending too.
I love cooking, so I’m board with your cooking resolution. I started to lose a ton of weight by cooking at home. Also, I’m lazy too but I just spend 2 days a week making meals for the rest of the week and it’s very helpful. And you can find fun easy recipes on Pinterest.
I also love that you’re going to go back to the basics with blogging. Trust me, it’s definitely a lot more fun.
Wishing you all the luck with your resolutions and goals! 🙂
Thanks Nick!! Good luck on yours and Happy New Year! I’ve been spending a lot of time working on my planner/bullet journal. It’s been so much and you guys are definitely part of my inspiration to get more organized!
That’s a lot of resolutions Wena, but I know you can do it!! 🙂
I think in the past few years, we’ve lost sight of things when it comes to books and blogging. We forgot that this is supposed to be fun!!
Thanks, Nath! It is a lot but I’m determined to take care of business this year. I need to stop being so lackadaisical with my life.
Yes! It’s so easy to get caught up in promo and blog tours and what not. I don’t want to be another Dear Author or Smart Bitches. I just want to own our little corner of the web and be happy doing it too.
Guilty!
I also need to get my finances in order. This weekend, I got the family involved in doing an inventory of our pantry, freezers, toiletries supply, and the fridge. I told my husband under no circumstances should we have to do the groceries when we are well stocked. So yeah, that’s the first thing. I also planned to be more conscious of our spending so I’ve developed a way to track down all our expenditures.
Every year, we always say we’re going to be more frugal. And it last for maybe two weeks then we’re back to our old habits. This time, I’m really determined to make this work by setting financial goals for the year.
Let’s both wish ourselves good luck!
Thats a good idea. I should take an inventory, too. I am being more aware of what I’m spending though so that’s something.
Good luck, Joy and thanks for my luck because I’m going to need it.
Ah so many great resolutions. Saving is definitely one of mine as well as trying to be more healthy. I so need to read more of my own books but I have such a hard time not requesting ARCs!!! Love your challenges – I am doing the Totally Doable one too! Good luck with these!
I’m three days into the new year and I’m happy that with the work I’ve put in on my health resolutions. I need to continue on to develop habits. Wish me luck!
Thanks, I tried to join doable challenges so I’m not killing myself trying to finish them at the end of the year.
Same to you on your goals and resolutions!
Ok, I’m happy Kulti is on the list but you aren’t reading it until November? *gasp*
LOL Just kidding! Also, this post just reminded me I want to sign up for Wendy’s challenge too. Thanks boo. 😛
And you are totally going to rock all your goals!
I was wondering about that. Do I have to read the book in that month or can I read the book whenever and post my review in November? What do you think?
Yay, we can keep each other motivated and on track. It’ll be fun!
Thanks, you are too!