Resolutions have never been my game. Have I thought about them? Sure. But goals or achievements or things of the kind, just haven’t been part of my life. Part of this, I think, is because I’m a little bit afraid to make a list, and find I don’t accomplish it through the year. I think that would make me more depressed than the act of not making the list. However, sitting here, writing this, I think I’m also thinking too big, and should start smaller in what I want to accomplish. This is a kind of copy and repeat post from 2023 that was all about reading and life 2024 goals. So as we work through this, let’s see which ones stay and which ones are cut.
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MORE OF THE SAME READER (AND UNRELATED) THINGS TO ACHIEVE IN 2024. Talking some #Goals for reading and life and things in 2024. Basically it's all the same things! #TopTen #TopTenTuesday #Resolutions #NewYear Click To TweetThere are things I want to do that are more general. Many of which, like I said, are repeat carryovers from our lists of 2023. Some of these things deserve repeats in a kind of “hit-over-the-head” reminder for myself. While it means it’s boring for anyone who visits these lists regularly, if the reminders help, well, then I’ll keep sharing them because something needs to remind me. Let’s see what these repeat (and maybe new!) goals may be.
READING AND LIFE 2024 GOALS
CONTINUE THE BOOK COLLECTION culling
This is always on the list. And I really want to continue to down the collection. This is for two reasons. One is I have the space I have, and I want the books to be neat on a shelf, and not stacked (as they often are!) here and yon. Next, it’s because, let’s be real, I’ll continue to add new titles to my collection which means room is always going to be in style. I need to reorganize now but since I have so many boxes ready to donate, or try to sell, I’m waiting to add more to my box collection until I can dispose of some first.
DETOX from SOCIAL MEDIA
Always and forever on my list. I’m so weary of the things I see on social media. I’m over Youtube and its constant stream of commentators with the next “hot topic” or sensationalized issue. Barely visit Facebook and Twitter. And Instagram I’ve started to lessen my time with, and it’s good. It’s not that there aren’t amazing people there, but the political landscape and then other people there who are uncommonly unkind, well, that makes it this weird, kind of depressing place to be. When I do take a break, like last month I cannot tell you how much different you feel. It clears your mind in the best kind of way.
DISCOVER READING again
Another always goal.
FIND RESOLUTION
There is one thing that has been something on my mind for two years (or more?) now that’s a change in life. It’s one of those maybe things that never really sees movement. I’m adding it here be cause one way or another, 2024 needs to be the year it has resolution no matter the choice.
PLAN CONTENT*
I did this for a bit in 2021 or 2022, and it was so helpful! In December I started it up again, and yep, it’s still a tremendous help.
SCREEN breaks*
Wrote about this in our ‘ins and outs’ of 2024, so I won’t say more. But I think I’ll be able to make it happen. And it’ll be good.
TAKE CHARACTER notes
This was something I added to the list last year, and it still seems like something I should try. I don’t want reading to feel like anything other than enjoyment, so if I tried taking some notes (to better remember characters), I’d only keep that up if it doesn’t feel like a chore. Some of you mentioned that you do this and you find it helpful, so it seems like something good to try.
TIME spent wisely
Time is something I think is a universal struggle. How do we balance it between what we love and work, who we love and life. It’s a battle for sure. I’ve read articles that a husband or wife will spend more time with a co-worker than they do with each other, and gosh, that’s not fun to think about. Especially when they are supposed to become the person who knows you, and vice versa, best. Figuring out balance and striking that is something I think I’ll always be trying to find a solution to.
I had on this list to Engage More, too and I think I’m making strides towards this. I so enjoy visiting with you here so I appreciate, since this is the space I’m investing it, you visiting and sharing your thoughts. Another addition to this list was to Invest in this Space right here, and this too is something I’m accomplishing. There’s always more to do or more I could add, but I’m making strides, and that’s’ enough to remove it from the list. For now.
*=New additions to the list
What goals do you still have in store or mind for this coming 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 January 16: Bookish Goals for 2024
I’m cheering you on! I hope you reach all of these goals. And, yeah, I have mixed feelings about New Year’s Resolutions, too.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
SO many mixed feelings! I think resolutions for the New Year can be good, but I’d also be annoyed by the end of the year seeing where I didn’t at least try to meet one (or likely more!). Thanks for visiting, Lydia!
“TIME Spent Wisely” we do all struggle with this one. I would love to be with my hubby all day: me reading, him playing video games.
Indeed. Time is a universal struggle. For me, it’s just that I need to figure out how to accomplish here what I want and be able to enjoy other things too. I do think I’m making strides towards that, so that’s a pro. ;)
Planning content makes blogging so much easier!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Right? SO much easier. I did it some back in 2021 / 2022 and loved it but kind of fell away from it before picking it up again. Trying to be consistent and so far I have this month and some of the next two planned.
Good luck on your goals! Ours are similar. When I can go a day with very little social media, I feel so much better. Reading instead of scrolling is an important goal for me.
YES! All about more reading. I think I’ll read some in February when I take a break and I’m excited to finish a couple books I started and see what else I can pick up, too. :)
Good luck with your goals!
Thanks so much!
These are all such lovely goals, Rissi. Good luck with all of them!
Thanks so much, Lindsey! :)
Spend time wisely is always on my list too (even if it isn’t written down!). When I get busy the first thing I drop is my exercise routine, which is not the wisest choice of time ;) I am also planning to cull down my physical shelves. I look at some books (cozy mysteries) and think I am never going to read them. Yet, they sit there. I keep thinking maybe I will read a chapter to see if they interest me, if not, then let them go. Have a great week!
I know that feeling of “dropping” some things, Cindy. Sometimes it’s just because I’m not disciplined enough, and for me, any exercise habits would be something I’d happily drop. ;) But I’m working to be disciplined even with that. Same here. I have so many books that were from back in my buy-all-the-books-from-Amazon-marketplace days. And it just feels like I would have read them by now if I were TRULY interested. So we’ll see how my next reorganizing/clean out of the shelves go!
Good luck, Rissi, the struggle is real, LOL!
For sure, Cindy. ;)
Great goals. Pairing down the collection of books is something I am working on as well – though it didn’t make my goals list.
It’s always a good thing (for me) to remind myself of. I haven’t reorganized my shelves for a while now because I have so many boxes in my office to sell or donate so I’m waiting to get rid of those first. Then I’m all ready to reorganize! :)
Great goals! I’ve been completely off Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a whole year, and it was good for me. I’m starting to dip my toes back into Instagram, but I’m not sure yet to what capacity. Good luck with all your goals!
That’s awesome! I haven’t been on Facebook (as far as posting this content or personal updates) for maybe five years now. I still use it for something where I help update social media for, but for myself, nope. Now I just have to improve my use of Instagram, and I think I’ve started to so that makes me glad just to see some progress. :)
I have found cutting back my time spent on social media has been a great boost to my mental health. Don’t get me wrong, there are times I will find myself scrolling and either getting angry with my “friends” for not sharing my thoughts and beliefs or angry with myself because I’m not “keeping” up with my “friends” and doing the stuff they’re doing. Now it’s mostly a quick check-in with family, not the hours I sunk into it previously.
As for being present with my loved ones in person, I totally get that. Especially as my kids are getting older (my youngest will be 16 in a couple of weeks!?!?!), I want to be present in their lives when they’re around. Don’t me wrong, my youngest is either in her room or staring at a screen most days. But I want her to know I’m available to listen when she wants (or needs) to talk. The same goes with my husband.
I hope 2024 is good for you and you can achieve your goals!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/goals-for-2024-book-and-blog-goals/
Thanks, Pam! I hope 2024 is good to you and for your goals as well. :) Social media for me is just “too much” sometimes in that people are never happy with what someone does (or sometimes doesn’t) say and yet it’s like anyone who is a public figure has to have opinions on everything. Then there’s the influencer culture… and yeah, there’s just a lot. ;) I’m planning to make breaking from writing aka computer screens and social media for a week here and there throughout the year and I think it will be good. And I love what you say about your daughter knowing you’re there. That’s important. :)
Some really good goals here! Time spent wisely is a big one and…..staying away from the socials a bit more.
Always all about finding balance and such, you know? :) Thanks so much for visiting, Bree!!
Spending less time on social media and less time on screen is super useful, it helps me relax and get inspired about what I want to do. I love your goals and I hope you can achieve them all. :)
Thank you! I hope they’re helpful too! I also think a screen “detox” will inspire me to read again AND maybe help with creative habits/pursuits, too. :)
I really appreciate your social media detox goal. I need to add that one to my list for sure! 😀 Good luck with all of your goals.
Thanks so much, Nicole! I’m going to try to add in the habit of breaking from social media/writing/computers for a week here and there, starting in February. We’ll see how it goes but I feel as though it’ll be a good habit. ;)
I’ve seen a number of people making a goal to take notes while they read. I guess I didn’t realize how few book bloggers do this! When I read, I always have a notebook nearby so I can jot down notes about characters, plot, my feelings about the book, etc. This is super helpful when I go back to write a review because my memory is TERRIBLE. Note taking is such a routine part of my reading that I don’t even think about it anymore; I just do it. If you decide to start taking notes, I hope it’s a helpful practice for you. Good luck with all of your goals!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
This is good to hear, Susan, thank you! I usually remember (*most* of the time) things when I’m writing my review because my turnaround time is decent. However, if I going to make a list about favorite characters or traits about them, those are things I forget! I just don’t want it to feel like a chore so we’ll see how it goes if I give it a chance. :)
Good luck with your goals this year! I want to try and read quality over quantity this year :)
Thanks, Caroline! And all the best to you with your goal. Quality over quantity is a great one. :)