Happy New Year (Photo credit: James Marvin Phelps)
Most years I don’t bother with new year resolutions. If I do make one, I keep it, despite all odds. One year I vowed not to eat chocolate for a whole year. Anyone who knows me would know that’s a big commitment to make. Those of my friends who knew about it took bets about how long I’d hold out before I caved and grabbed my lindt. But I proved them wrong. Once it’s made, it’s made.
So I don’t make them often. The chocolate one was for fun, in a peculiar way, and had a side benefit of some (temporary) weight loss. But usually I don’t make resolutions for fun, or even to prove I can keep them. In reality that one was probably made in a rush of temporary insanity. 🙂
But for some reason this year I have a few. It may speak to some inner disquiet, some need for internal re-order. It may be I want a challenge that isn’t about work. It might be that all the aspects of my life over 2013 have conspired to bring these aims into focus. In any case, here they are, and having made them, I have to keep them! 🙂
One: Work balance
I can’t really control how busy my job is, or the hours it demands for the most part, but I can control better how I balance my emotions to do it. In 2014 I resolve to be less emotionally invested in work and more clinical about it. I’m not saving lives. I’m not finding a cure for cancer. It just shouldn’t be taken so seriously…
Two: Blogging balance
To be honest, while I love all my WordPress friends, near the end of this year given how out of balance my work life was, blogging had come to feel like an extension of work. So it often just felt like more hours doing things to meet other’s expectations. Now I know none of you had any real expectations of me, so I’m projecting my own expectations and standards here, but that’s very human isn’t it?
So realising that, I’m going to reduce my blogging load just a little bit to get it back in perspective. In 2013 for the most part I had two poems per day scheduled ahead, and sometimes wrote more on the days themselves. For 2014 I’m scheduling one at most per day – and maybe sometimes less if I’m struggling with Resolution One. And while I’ll try to keep up with other blogs consistently I will allow myself to miss some posts on occasion even from favourite writers if it means the difference between balance and exhaustion. (Please don’t feel I’m neglecting you if this occurs, I will be back!!)
This resolution is also partly due to the emotional rollercoaster that was self publishing. hence the next resolution….
Three: Try traditional publishing
I’m going to make 2014 the year I first try to get an agent, and whether or not this is successful, also try to get some interest from a publishing house for my third novel Denial. I’m doing this fully aware of how difficult it is to get either an agent or a traditional publishing deal, so the resolution’s success is not based on actually achieving either, but on deliberately and strategically attempting to do so.
In the meantime, the last resolution has emerged in the past couple of days and already has me in its grip:
Four: Write a novel that is a ghost story
I’ve already started the novel and I aim to have a first draft at least well progressed by the end of my holidays in mid January, then to be dedicated to it on weekends until it is done, edited, and ready should I choose to publish it by mid 2014. I grew up on ghost stories and the works of writers like Stephen King, but I’ve never written a novel like that, so this is kind of tipping of my hat to my youth, but also a new adventure. Wish me luck!!
Do you have any resolutions for 2014? If so, please share!! 🙂 🙂
Oh, and Happy New Year!!
helenvalentina 
Sounds like a good list! I’ve already cut back on my blogging for balance and it has helped a ton!
Cool, it’s all about balance I think! No wonder I chose Temperance for my topic for the poetry prompt on virtues yesterday!! 🙂
Omg! I’m mortified. I just don’t make them That level of commitment is beyond me! http://scottishmomus.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/resolutions-my-arse-the-glesca-version/
I’m humbled that you gave up chocolate for a year. I sometimes manage for Lent. But good grief….. a year!
I love your resolutions. Maybe in the back of my mind there are plans afoot…but I don’t want to set myself up for failure. So, I think I’ll keep them inside and see where they go. 😉 Good luck with yours. 🙂 x
Thank you – and good luck with your private resolutions. I perfectly understand how one may not want to announce them if they are close to your heart! All the very best for 2014!! 🙂 🙂
That is so exciting! I am usually not big on resolutions either, but this year, have to get our game published! 😀
Excellent – I wish you every success with your endeavour!! 🙂 🙂
…wishing you tons of luck, loads of happiness, and miles of great and wonderful things to come your way! 🙂
Thanks so much, that is very kind!! 🙂 🙂
Good luck Helen, i only have one resolution, stay alive.
Sounds like a plan!! 🙂 🙂
Works for me. I hope.
Wow, you gave up chocolate for a year? You are my hero;)
LOL!! Thanks!! 🙂 🙂
no chocolate…why would you want to torture yourself that way? My best to you in the new year, helenvalentina
Thanks…I can’t remember why, as I said, it may have ben temporary insanity!! 🙂 🙂
I love your resolutions Helen, good luck with them. I am looking forward to denial and the new ghost story. So funny I was telling Facebook yesterday that my resolution is to see my book published too! Even tho I have no control over that I am sending mine off too! Great minds huh? Happy new years Helen!
Yep, great minds think alike!! God luck with your aims my friend!! I look forward to celebrating your success with you!! 🙂 🙂
I never make New Year Resolutions, because (a) I know I wouldn’t keep them, and (b) nobody else would know about them.
LOL, fair enough!! 🙂 🙂
Good luck & happy 2014. 🙂
Thanks, happy 2014 to you too!! 🙂 🙂
as a young Stephen King fan, i look forward to your writing a ghost story 🙂
we are similar in that i rarely make resolutions, my favourite was two years ago to try new foods. aubergine was the worst thing that i tried, but cous cous was a nice surprise 🙂
this year i’m not making a resolution but will try my best to relax emotionally 🙂 fingers crossed 🙂
LOL, yes, cous cous is lovely! Happy 2014!! 🙂 🙂
Each year I attempt and never stick to, so this year I won’t even attempt. I’m still scratching my head over your chocolate one and wondering how the bleep you could do that! 🙂 Blogging – yes my muse has definitely left me for a while – perhaps she’s on holidays too, as I can’t really think at present (situation pretty normal in my case) Good Luck with yours Helen and wishing you and your family a safe and happy 2014 😉
Happy 2014 to you to my friend!! 🙂 🙂
🙂 thanks hun x
Kudos to you Helen for keeping that chocolate resolution, you have formidable willpower! I am super excited to hear you are trying for traditional publishing and I absolutely cannot wait for your ghost story. I have a feeling it will be super scary!
Thanks so much!! 🙂 🙂
Good luck with all of them Helen 🙂
Thanks Chris!! Happy 2014!! 🙂 🙂
Amen with the blogging feeling like work some days. Always here, even when we aren’t here always, if that makes any sense at all. Happy New year!
Makes a lot of sense!! Happy 2014 Ionia!! 🙂 🙂
hope your not over doing things with all these aims. good luck
I hope so too! thanks!! 🙂 🙂