When it comes to goals, I like the idea of this and consider myself reasonably organized. However when it comes to implementing them, I’m not the best at achieving a goal. Part of this is because of circumstances and part of it is, because I’m a big believer in being fair and taking responsibility, my fault for not putting in motion the goals or ideas I want to accomplish. That’s not to say I haven’t put in motion any goal through the years, but the big one I’m currently contemplating has seen no motion. But I do accomplish goals when it comes to organizing something or cleaning out a space, so that is something to be happy about. Today we’re talking about reading goals and in my mind, I’ll also talk about goals that maybe don’t relate to reading.
LIST | TEN REASONS YOU MIGHT LIKE ‘SUITS,’ THE NETFLIX STREAMING SURPRISE
🗓️📆READER (AND UNRELATED) THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH STARTING IN 2024📆 #GOALS #TOPTEN #TOPTENLIST #READING #READERS #READER #GOAL Click To TweetI do like thinking about the things that I’d want to accomplish though not in a 24/7 way since I don’t think that’s healthy. Plus I tend to overthink things like this so for me it’s not always great to set out big goals or smoothing that realistically I cannot achieve in a short term. I also did this topic at the start of this year, so I’m going to revisit those goals and see if I feel like I’ve done anything well or no. With exception of two things, most of these are beginning-of-the-year goals.
READING GOALS plus OTHER GOALS
BOOK COLLECTION culling
I want to keep my declutter trend of book culling. Selling them is a very slow process as is donating since the library only wants two boxes at a time. But I continue to keep at it and I need to reorganize my shelves again.
I haven’t culled my collection lately, but it’s still in the works. I just need to get rid of a few more boxes in my office before I add new ones, too!
COMPLETE the HOUSE CLEANOUT*
I’ve been, here and there, clearing out the closets and various other spaces in this house. Since I live in an old farmhouse, there is clutter stashed in many corners, most of which are those “hidden” spaces that we don’t have to “see” on the daily, which helps in the forgetting process. Still I know it’s there, and is clutter from family or things from childhood, many of which I just don’t “need.” Sure I’m keeping some because to some it matters but at the end of the day, it’s all just stuff, and just like I unhaul my bookshelf or wardrobe, I think it’s important to do a clean or clear out in this area of life too.
DETOX from SOCIAL MEDIA
This notion hasn’t changed in the past two or three years. I’m still disenchanted with social media and find it sad how very tied we are to it (and one’s phone, too). Short version is, I’m over places like Instagram which is sad and sometimes I wish I didn’t feel this way since I used to have amazing conversations with fun people.
I’ve failed at this. But I still feel the same and do want to detox.
DISCOVER READING again
We all know reading is a problem. We’ll hope it returns in 2023.
I haven’t really picked up reading again… at least not in a large sense. There are some books I’ve read this year, and am reading one now, so really I’d just like to start actually reading more again. I still love books, I’ve just lost some of my enchantment with reading because of a couple reasons. But at some point I’ll get it back.
ENGAGE (MORE!)
One of the things I do love about this space (speaking of this space we’re in right here) is the engagement with the people who take the time to stop here, and leave a comment (even if they didn’t love a movie I did *smile*). Part of this also means visiting all of the spaces of the wonderful people who show that time here. I want to show that I appreciate this by replying promptly and visiting other blogs, too.
Something I’ve started working on. I think I’ve improved in 2023 just in responding to comments quicker and therefore the turnaround for visiting the blogs of people who visit here is faster. Something I am happy about since conversation is something I’m always glad for.
INVEST in this SPACE
I’m ready to continue to make this space better. To grow and find more creative ways to make this a space readers can enjoy. Part of this looks like change… which I hope to put in play sooner rather than later.
I’ve taken steps towards changing this space from where 2023 started. There’s more to do yet, but at least I did start with this.
TAKE CHARACTER notes*
I said something about this in another of my recent lists. I want to start jotting down notes about characters, even secondary ones so that I remember better what I loved about a character or why I loved them. However at the same time, I don’t want to do something that will take a long time since I don’t want reading to feel like a “chore” versus enjoyment or fun.
TIME spent wisely
This is more personal, but also circles back to social media. When I first started on Twitter, I was very much a part of the bookish part of the platform to the point of responding within hours and keeping my timeline “clear.” This isn’t true now since I can go weeks without clearing that. It’s not “good” to those I enjoy chatting with, but I’d rather invest my time in good conversation here versus a place that isn’t kind to anyone who differs from their opinion.
All this to say, I want to be more aware of how much time I spend engaging in this space, which I do love, and living, growing and learning in life.
Something I’m in a constant “battle” trying to learn.
*= these are new goals added to this list.
What goals do you still have for the end of this year? Are there any big reading or life goals you want to start 2024 off with? What are they? Comment all of your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl October 3: Reading Goals I Still Want to Accomplish Before the End of the Year (We’ve just begun the last quarter of the year! What bookish goals would you still like to accomplish? If you participated in TTT’s Bookish Goals for 2023 topic this past January, update us on which goals you’ve achieved, which you’ve given up on, and which ones you’re still working on!)
I have the same problem with goals! You’re not alone.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Selfishly, it’s always nice to know one is not alone in these things. :) Thanks for visiting, Lydia.
These all sound like great goals.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thanks so much for visiting. :)
These are some great goals, Rissi! Cleaning house clutter, engaging more and social media detox are goals I always try for too.
Important thing is, we keep trying. :) I’m making some headway with the de-cluttering but there’s always more to do. :)
I am most active on FB and Instagram, but lately, I haven’t had much time to post bookish updates to Instagram or Twitter (I don’t use FB for bookish stuff). My blog is where my main focus is, and I love it. I love the engagement. I still love reading and I still need to take on fewer ARCs…I am finding myself wanting more and more to mood read, which you can’t do if you have a lot of ARCs on the docket (I have a guilty personality, so no way they are getting ignored or turned in late, LOL!)
I know that ARC struggle ALL TOO WELL. I used to have way too many, and even received some from a very kind publisher that I didn’t request. My general rule was, read the ones I did ask for and request (because I tried really hard to only request ones I was sure I’d like) but “let go” of those I didn’t ask for. I wanted to read them all because it was always fun and generous of a publisher to include me, but we have to figure out that balance somewhere. I haven’t used Facebook (for website things though I’ve posted for someone else on their page) in probably two years? I’m sure my website “hits” took a dive, but my lack of interest in FB meant more to me than traffic. Though I am still trying to learn how to best use social media. ;)
I have cut way back on my ARCs for the past two years. I overwhelmed myself before that and I was done with that feeling, LOL! I use Facebook quite a bit (less than I used to), because I have friends all over the place, and family too, and it’s a good way to stay connected. I think we are all still trying to figure out how to best use social media, LOL!
My aunt loved (or still does?) Facebook when her grandkids were little. They live in Alaska which is a LONG flight for them so that was a way she could keep up with her family and see the kids. And I know the ARC feeling well. It was fun and I really enjoyed having the chance to review books but also… I had to realize that I was falling behind and I didn’t like not reviewing something I requested. I know I’m sure still trying to figure out social media. But at the same time I go days or have gone weeks without posting on places like Instagram… which I’m learning is fine, too. :)
Good luck on all your goals! We decluttered our whole 5000 square foot home last year, but that only happened because we downsized and moved to a smaller house :) Otherwise, it NEVER would have happened. LOL. It felt SO good to go through everything, though, and only keep the things we really used and needed. Very liberating.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I agree. It DOES feel good to get rid of things that are causing clutter or something we just don’t need anymore. It’s such a good feeling that’s like a weight off the shoulders. If you don’t use something in two, three, four, five+ years, it would seem we don’t really need it anymore. :)
Hope you find an amazing book soon. Your goals are very smart, I hope you can achieve them. Agree with the disappointment of social media, although I spend more time on Instagram. It no longer entertains me like before
I agree. Social media just doesn’t entertain or it’s not as interesting as it used to be. *sigh* I have read a couple of books recently that I liked. Hoping my current read is good too. :)
I really like “TAKE CHARACTER notes*” – this is a great idea.
I was just chatting about this was someone on another list. It’s a fun idea and would most likely remind me of why I love a character so much. :)
I’ve cut way back on the time I spend on social media. I found myself getting wrapped up in the things people say/do that don’t align with my beliefs and that impacted my mental health. That’s not to say I don’t scroll Facebook, but I don’t spend the hours on end there that I used to.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/2023-reading-challenge-updates/
I admire that you’ve lessened your time on social. I have for Twitter and FB, and in the last month have taken steps towards lessening Instagram, too. It’s better for society in general I think (because I think social media creates issues we never used to have) and for most people too. And I know the feeling of finding the scrolling more of a depressing thought than an uplifting one. :)
Wow! You have a very interesting list here! I agree that social media isn’t as good as it used to be and I’m trying to just connect with people who aren’t so toxic. Also, I’m trying to get more involved with my audience as well! Let’s hope we both complete our goals!
There’s some really cool people I’ve “met” on social media and I love that. But I’ve decided to use my website as the place to have conversations. I love chatting about things so this is the place where I work to encourage that. :)
I’m sorry reading was a struggle this year for you. Sometimes, we just need breaks. I hope you get your reading joy back soon though.😀
Thanks so much, Nicole. I’ve read some good books, and I’m hoping some of the other titles on my shelf are also good. :)