I debated whether or not even to do this post. Unlike most years, I don't feel like setting goals. However, I decided to take a look back at last year, thinking I would probably laugh, but it actually turns out I set some thoughtful and flexible goals that I did mostly accomplish. So, I will do similarly this year: I'll set goals that I can probably accomplish no matter where this year takes me, and a lot is up in the air for me personally as well as my country politically, and whether I accomplish them or not, that's okay.
So, let's go over last year's Bookish and Non-Bookish Goals:
2020-Bookish Goals
1. Read at least 60 books-I read exactly 60 books!
2. Reread old favorites and books I have more to learn from-Yes. Towards the end of 2019/beginning of 2020, I reread Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and enjoyed it so much. In 2020, I did a couple more rereads like Jen Sincero's You Are a Badass and Mary Oliver's Blue Horses, and I began 2021 reading Philip Pullman's The Secret Commonwealth. Can't wait for the third book in that trilogy!
3. Continue participating in book clubs-Yes! Two of my book clubs continued (and continue) to meet virtually, and I did a good job keeping up. I kind of have to since I'm the permanent Zoom host for one of the groups!
4. Borrow books from the library, or if I must, buy used books or Kindle deals only-Yup. I mostly read books that I already owned, especially since our library was closed for four months and continues to be pickup-only, but in the latter half of 2020, I took out several physical library books. During those months, I took out some library e-books and made a few purchases of on-sale ebooks. I did break this to buy one physical book from a Black-owned bookstore, Mahogany Books.
2020-Not So Bookish Goals
1. Finish writing the novel that I started for NaNoWriMo 2019-Yes! Finished in July. Still need to revise...
2. Participate in a writing group-No, unfortunately this did not work out. I should look into writing groups online.
3. Be kind to myself and others-I hope so. I had a lot fewer interactions with people in general in 2020. Lots of opportunities to be kind to myself, my husband, and our dogs :-)
Now, onto this year's goals:
2021-Bookish Goal
1. Read 52 books. As always, I'll intentionally include books by BIPOC and Jewish authors, but I want to leave room for rereads, reading lulls, and whatever happens.
2021-Non-Bookish Goal
2. Intentionally practice self-care.
I learned about this in therapy. I knew about the concept of course, since it's been everywhere for a few years, but therapy helped me understand how important it is to intentionally engage in acts of self-care at regular intervals and also to have a list of self-care activities to fall back on when needed. My list includes things like coloring, playing with my dogs, reading a fantasy book by a new author, or baking a new fruit-based dessert.
3. Do what I can do to help preserve our democracy
If I need to keep donating and volunteering, like I did last year, that's what I'll do. If marching will help, I will do it. If writing will help, I will do it. If phone-banking will help, I'll do it.
That's it.
Comments
My post.