Hello all! It’s time to check up on my resolutions for the year *DUN DUN DUNNNN*. I’ve never done this on my blog before, though I’m a big fan of mid year resolutions in general, but I figure this was better than doing my usual mad-dash-to-the-end panicked check up around November. So, let’s see how I’m getting on with it now, shall we?
Bookish:
10 More Books from My Challenging list
Ermm yeah, this isn’t going that well. I have only managed 4. Frankly, this is cos I haven’t had much luck with the ones I have picked up. The first of the year was Atlas Shrugged… and we all know how that one turned out for me. Then there was Maps of Meaning, which contained interesting ideas, but the writing style was flawed (I recommend sticking to the lecture series for this one). Finally, I tried Vanity Fair, which was superbly written, however I didn’t connect to because the characters are AWFUL people. So yeah, excuses aside, I have a long way to go with this goal. Lastly, I recently finished Faust, which sadly ended up being a plodding “poetic” translation and I preferred Marlowe’s version.
Updated goal: 6 to go!
10 Non-Fiction Reads
Well, I can say I’m on track for this one- I’ve managed 5 so far this year- most of which have been good. The highlight of these was definitely the Man in the White Sharkskin Suit– a random find that was super emotional and well worth the read (review to come). I’d better not be complacent though- there’s still 5 to go…
Updated goal: 5 more non-fic
5 Rereads
I’ve knocked this one out of the park! I’d actually like to try and read more, but we’ll see.
COMPLETED!
5 Poetry Collections
Oh wow, I suck. I have completely failed this. To be fair, I’ve been reading a lot more poetry- but collections? I’ve managed just the one:
I’m also counting Faust again, because I had to get through 350 pages of verse!
Updated goal: 3 more to go!
Non Bookish:
Compile notebooks
I’ve managed to do a lot of this. In fact, I did all the ones I thought I had… then finished another notebook, which I’m gonna save for the second half of the year. I’ll calculate that as 4/5.
Updated goal: type up wolfy notebook
Complete another language on Duolingo
Soooo this one is weird, cos I did go through all the lessons in the first few months of the year- and what have I learnt: nada 😉 Okay maybe I learnt something, but I don’t remember it now. I do think I’d benefit from trying to do some grammar practice- but I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to do this- until I have time to reassess, I’m gonna give myself 5/5 and say…
TENTATIVELY COMPLETED
I do feel like I might be letting this guy down though…
THE DREADED EDITING
I have done so much of this! I’ve edited books 2 and 3 of my #OverlyAmbitiousWIP and am nearly finished with 1. The problem with editing, though, is that it’s not the most straightforward of processes. I have a lot more edits for the second and third books now. Still, they’re pretty straightforward and I have high hopes for finishing this on target (if not before!). I’ve calculated this as 25/30 in terms of how far I am.
Updated goal: nearly there!
Which means I’m 71% done and my current grade is…
C-
Not fabulous, but I have time to rectify that.
And for extra credit…
I’ve decided to add a few new goals to the roster:
Art- start painting again and finish sketchbook
I’ve been working on drawings a lot more this year and I kinda want to start an Instagram for it (but I’m super nervous and not sure about it). I do want to start doing more painting (beyond Watercolours).
Yoga challenge x2
Thanks to my sister dragging inviting me to disco yoga earlier in the year, I’ve actually started doing yoga (it surprised me as much as it probably does you 😉 ) I’ve been doing it a few times a week and managed one 30 day yoga challenge. So, quite simply, this is to do another two of those challenges. I think there’s enough time before the end of the year to get this done… hopefully… wish me luck!
And that’s it for now! I have made a note of some tentative goals I might add later in the year, but you won’t have to hear about them till I have my *freakout* at the end of the year 😉 I want to know if any of you have goals this year? How have you been getting on with them? Let me know in the comments!
I never take good resolutions as I never hold them LOL But congrats on the yoga!
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That’s totally fair- I sometimes fail drastically and think “well what was the point of that?” but it motivates me if I do it like this (publicly humiliating myself for failing is quite the motivator 😉 )
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WHY ARE YOU MAKING THE CUTE OWL CRY.
But seriously, you should post some of your art! 😉 🙂 I like what we see!
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hahahah I know- I’m so mean 😉
Aww thank you!
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Great job!
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Thanks!
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I do not cosign your C- grade, factoring in real life commitments, AND writing your blog, you do far more than most people can muster. So you definitely get bonus points as far as I am concerned =).
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Aww thank you!! You’re too sweet!! ❤
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Disco yoga? That sounds fun
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It was so much!! 😀
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Oh this list is so interesting! Are the Orangutans your drawings?
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Thank you! Yeah they’re mine 🙂
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Oh wow!
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I’ve been meaning to do a mid-year check up post on my resolutions, but time is flying, haha. Interesting to see your bookish accomplishments for the year!I hate that I’ve read less books this year, but life gets in the way.
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haha I totally relate- I meant to do this last month lol 😉 Thank you! Ah I do understand that- I do relate to that- I think the number of books fluctuates for everyone- life definitely gets in the way!
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Wow. You are doing very well! I was patting myself on the back for completing my Goodreads goal 🙂 I need to step up now! Good luck with the rest of the year!
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Thank you so much! hehe to be fair, I didn’t set a GR goal this year, cos I knew I wouldn’t keep to it- I think that’s probably the hardest goal to do! Thank you! 🙂
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Wow I actually love the idea of doing a mid year resolution post. This was beautiful to read, don’t beat yourself for the goals you didn’t achieve, you still got plenty of time ☺️❤️
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Thank you so much!! You’re so kind!! 🙂 ❤
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I definitely think you should share your art (if you feel comfortable). Just by that one drawing, I can tell you’re really talented.
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Aww thank you- that’s really kind of you (and definitely helps cos I’m literally terrified!) That means so much to me ❤
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It can be so hard to put yourself out there on the internet because people can be mean. But I think it’s brave and your art is good. I think you’ll have a lot of positive comments with whatever you share.
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Ha ha ha, I definitely do not make lists of books to be read, that takes all the fun out of it! But I am very impressed with yours. I think having read Maps of Meaning should actually count as fulfilling your whole list, since didn’t it take JP about 15 years to write it? So it should be worth at least 1 year of reading.
I might not set TBR goals (except what I “really should get to” for my research), but I do have a few goals this year …
-finish querying first WIP (make it to 100 agents)
-figure out what to do with WIPs after rejected by 100 agents
-move across the country
-keep up blog
-keep parenting my children, etc.
As my grandma used to say, “It’s a great life if you don’t tire.”
Thanks for a fun post.
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Ah I completely understand that- I’m a total mood reader, so I keep the lists *massive* and pick at random. hehe yeah it did- and it took AGES! it was good- I just preferred watching the lecture series, so would be more likely to direct people to that (and it’d probably take around the same amount of time 😉 )
Oh wow those are huge (and awesome!) goals- good luck with them all!
Thanks for reading!
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Ooooh, I’ve been on duolingo too and I feel like… I don’t really retain anything. And this is after one year of classes in university so I’m just hoping to retain what I’ve learnt.
Writing/editing was a big fail for me in the first half of the year too. I’m hoping to do better for the second half!
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Oh gosh I so relate to that!! I’ve tried a few languages and the ones I learnt in school are definitely sticking better- so I’m certain that uni class will help!
Ah that’s totally fair- I’ve had months/years like that- it happens. But I’m sure you’ll get back on track when you can 🙂
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Good luck with your 30 day yoga challenges. I hadn’t heard of disco yoga before but it sounds like great fun 😀
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Thank you! It was 🙂
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Great job! I recently checked in on my 2019 goals too, and while in some areas I’m doing great, the post succeeded in highlighting the areas I need to work on. I love your wolfy notebook cover! So cute and pretty.
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Thank you! I totally get that! I think it makes sense! I know right?! My sister picked that one out for me 🙂
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😀 Your sister has great taste in notebooks! 😀
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She does! 😀
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Wow. So ambitious and productive. You’re my new hero.
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hehe I’m not sure I’d say that, but that’s kind of you!
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4/10 isn’t bad at the halfway point. It honestly looks like you’re doing very well overall! Great job and good luck with the rest of the year!
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Didn’t make any resolution this year since I’m still working on last year’s resolution. I’m already doubting if I’m going to make it this year. What is it about? Finishing the third part of my series “The Maharajagar”. It grows into an uncontrollable Moloch! More than 300,000 words and I’m even not halfway the second chapter (there are four chapters planned!). But again, it’s not unusual for me to work more than one year on a particular new year’s resolution. I just made a principle of not making any others still the previous one has been brought to a satisfying end.
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The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit moved my heart. I’ve recommended it to others and everyone loves it. As for the re-reads – yes to all. And now you’re trying watercolor – good for you! I’ve also gotten into this media. I was an art teacher for many years, but watercolor was not my forte. It was the only college class I couldn’t get in my schedule. Now I love it. Watercolors travel easily so if you want to go someplace and then sit to paint, this is the media.
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I completely agree- it’s such a beautiful book. Thanks! I’ve actually been doing watercolour for a while (mostly the monkeys if I’m honest 😉 ) but I actually want to go back and do more oils, cos it’s been a while and I like them best. I’m really glad you like them as well 🙂
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AND – good work on your WiP! I’ve just finished my millionth edit of one of my books. Now it’s time to write a query. Think this one will work? “Mom loves my story. Please represent me.” No? LOL.
BTW, you grade yourself too hard. Grades mean nothing anyway, it’s the journey that counts.
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Thanks! hahaha I know that’s the tactic I’d use 😉 LOL!
hehe I know, I’m a bit harsh with myself, that’s just the way I am 😉 I do agree with that.
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It sounds like you are making great progress on your 2019 goals!
I’m going to need more info on disco yoga though… I didn’t know that was a thing lol I’m not a big yoga fan because I am wound too tight & have zero patience 🙂 I know it has so many health benefits, but I just can’t relax enough to do yoga.
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Thanks very much!
oh it was basically a yoga class but with glitter and disco music (with the occasional dance break and drinks after). It was great! I can completely understand that- I was reluctant to do it for years for the same reasons- but it’s ended up being so fantastic for me because of all those reasons (really helps me unwind lol). Maybe try doing a random fun class and see how it goes? it worked for me 🙂
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So cool to see how well you’re actually doing with your resolutions! Got to admit that you’re challenges are quite hard but when I think about how many books you’re able to read per year, I think it’s quite perfect! Good luck with the second-half of the year! 😀
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Thank you! hehe yeah they are tough, but it’s worth it in the long run… I hope 😉 Thanks so much!
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