Monday, January 3, 2022

Numbers Everywhere

I am not a numbers person, but when I look back at 2021 and look ahead to 2022, imagine my surprise when I see numbers everywhere: 

 

Apparently, according to my stats, I have written close to 900 blog posts. I would say I have no words but apparently I do. About 900 blog posts worth of words. And counting. 

 

In 2021, my husband and I signed up to do a virtual challenge of 500 miles. It did not go well. We did learn a lot, though, in terms of energy, pacing, timing and taking into account the seasons (I'm looking at you Florida melt-your-face summer!) For 2022, we decided to do two separate virtual challenges of 100 miles each, one after the other. The focus is on walking, but we plan on adding biking as well. 

 

For the last couple of years, the goal of my Reading Challenge over on Goodreads was 80 books. This is a totally doable goal for me, but since my focus flaps around like a palm frond in the wind, I barely squeaked by. So I'm giving myself a break and setting the 2022 Reading Challenge to 52 books. I will knock this out easily and have an early win, something I really need. 

 

The tortoises are now 12 years old. Larry weighs about 11 pounds. He is a sensitive soul inside that solid shell. Mrs. Larry, who is lighter and smaller, refuses to divulge her stats but wants to make sure everyone knows that even though Larry is large, she's the one in charge. Of us all. 

 

Honestly, I don't even remember my One Word for last year. For 2022, I played with ideas, made lists, searched for the word that will be my theme for the year, that will keep me on a good track. One word jumped off the page – WRITING. Yes, I wrote last year, but it wasn't pretty. My creativity, discipline, focus, imagination, overall oomph fizzled then flattened like an opened bottle of seltzer. My hope for 2022 is that on those occasions when I get anxious, depressed and freaked out (or, in other words, every day) my One Word reminds me of how writing is intrinsic to who I am, that I am not lost, that I am still here, that I am still me. 

 

*****

 

How were your "numbers" for 2021? How are they looking for 2022? Do you have a One Word? Any goals or plans for 2022?

39 comments:

  1. That's awesome that you wrote 900 blog posts. Glad your husband and you are trying your challenges again. I don't have any major goals this year. I do plan to keep plugging along in my writing.

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    1. I can't believe I've been at this blogging thing for so long!

      I was hesitant to set any major goals, but I needed to do something. I tend to do better with some plan, some sort of deadline.

      Good luck with your writing this year!

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  2. Yeah, hard to rack up a lot of miles in your brutal heat.
    How long do tortoises live? I don't remember my word either. Possibly survive?

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    1. Using the treadmills in the gym was an option at that point, but I was still too anxious.

      I believe it depends on the species, but it's a good chunk of time.

      I think a lot of people had that word the last couple of years.

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  3. You've got some good numbers there. The start if 2022 sees me as flat as a tack and needing to drop my writing ambitions for various reasons. Not drop writing, but of necessity I have to scale back my endeavours. In 2021 I self published a book for the first time. It is my 8th and I'll have another one out this year. I achieved a lot last year, and expect to achieve more in 2022. Your 500 miles challenge reminds me of a charity challenge I took on. It was only 35km, but it nearly killed me. No more running for me. I wish you every success and happiness in 2022.

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    1. I did do some running a few years back, and it wasn't pretty. I'll stick to walking. :)

      It sounds like you had a great 2021, and I hope you achieve all that you want to in 2022! :)

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  4. Oddly, I also don't remember my word for 2021. That's weird. Anyway, according to my Goodreads list, I read 64 books in 2021. Now that I'm giving up a couple of the writing-related volunteer jobs I was doing, I should be able to squeeze in another five books or so for 2022. I just resolved to stop picking up books from the library until I've whittled down the stack of books I bought last year. :D

    I hope you have a wonderful 2022, Madeline.

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    1. Did you notice one of the numbers I did NOT include was how many unread books I already own? And that's not counting the ones I bought myself for Christmas. :)

      I hope you have a wonderful 2022 as well!

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  5. Happy New Year, Madeline!

    While my numbers were pretty good last year, at least in terms of writing: four books published and another four written--it was too much with my teaching schedule. I didn't have time for much other than work.

    If I had to pick a word for this year, it would be Foundation. This is hopefully my last year before finally moving to another country and cutting the teaching cord to write full time. So much has to be accomplished this year to put me in the best possible place for this new adventure.

    I only hope I find the energy!

    As for the Goodreads challenge, as silly as it is, I was finding it put additional pressure on me, so now I just fill in my number near the end of the year. 75 books read last year, but I believe they also count the ones I couldn't finish.

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    1. It sounds like you had a very good writing year!

      "Foundation" is an excellent word, and I know you will accomplish all you need to in order for your new adventure to be a success. :)

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  6. I've never had a word of the year. Perhaps 2021 for me was persevere? 2022's work might be "improve." 900 blog posts is a tremendous accomplishment! Happy New Year, Madeline!

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    1. I have no idea how 900 blog posts happened. Where did the time go?! Sheesh.

      All the best to you this year, Liza.

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  7. You've got more than double my total number of posts!

    Even though you didn't make your 500 mile goal, good job attempting it and also learning what your limits are. Knowledge is power! How many total miles did you end up getting?

    Here's to going easier on ourselves this year.

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    1. A lot of those posts came from waaaaaay back when I posted three times a week.

      Thanks, Loni! I think we were between 250 and 300 miles when we decided to stop. Close but not close enough.

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  8. Hi Madeline, I've always wanted a tortoise as a pet. 52 books is a big number, but even I'm aiming for atleast 40 + books this year. Like the sound of Mrs Larry :)

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    1. Tortoises are the best! :)

      52 is a big number, but for me it's definitely doable. I'm already 1 book ahead of schedule. I don't think I was ahead at all last year.

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  9. Thanks for sharing your numbers! I like your new goals for walking and biking. I have a friend who did a goal like that. 100, then another 100.
    My numbers? Well, I didn't track them well. That's all I can say about 2021. I didn't want to track the numbers.
    This year, my word is healing. Maybe, actually...wellness.
    I have a few other words, too, but those two are the main thing.

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    1. It's funny because I didn't realize I had so many numbers in my life. Usually, it's all about the words around here. :)

      Healing and Wellness sound like great words to focus on. Good luck, Tyrean!

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  10. Oh yes. Those Florida summer walks are brutal. Not even my dogs want to walk then. I do include biking & running in my mileage goals, but I seldom do anything other than walk.

    Best of luck with all your goals in 2022. Take care of yourself!!

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    1. I think the tortoises are the only ones who actually like that summer heat. :)

      Thanks, MJ!

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  11. 900 blog posts? *jaw drops* That's amazing!

    Last year I had set my reading goal to 30 because in previous years I hadn't read as much, but I squashed that goal. :)

    I hope this year is a good numbers year for you! Happy New Year!

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    1. I hope we all have good numbers this year. :)

      Happy New Year to you, too, Chrys!

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  12. That's amazing how many blog posts you've done! I plan on reading 100 books again this year. I also very much like your ONE word. It is a reminder of so many good things. Good luck and take care!

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    1. Wow on the 100 books! I set that as my goal a couple of times a few years back - I made it but barely. Good luck!

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  13. I'm with Alex - if I had a word last year, it was survive. And so I did. This year, I have a phrase, if you will. Be still. My goal is to slow down and appreciate each day. But still survive! 😆

    I row most days and read a lot, but I don't have any numbers goals for those activities.

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    1. That's a great phrase to focus on! So many ways to practice it, too - mentally, physically, etc. I hope it works well for you this year. :)

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  14. It's not one word, but a simple thought: keep at it. Writing is something I doubt I'll ever give up. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  15. I think that's a great word to focus on! I'm so embroiled in marketing and releasing the new book that I'm missing writing, but as soon as I get to February, I'm off! I hope this year is a good one for you.

    Of course she's in charge!

    The Warrior Muse

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    1. I hope it's a good year for you, too!

      Mrs. L has always been in charge. Even when the tortoises were really young, Larry was bigger but she was bossier. :)

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  16. Impressive on your number of blog posts! Wow!
    And I'm glad the tortoises are doing well!
    I don't have a word for the year, but I do have a goal to finish my current WIP. I'm about half way, and it always takes longer than I think, because I keep circling back to revise/add more threads, etc., as I go.
    I also plan to read more in 2022!

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    1. That's a great goal, Jenni. Good luck with it!

      It's funny because even though I set my reading goal lower than usual, I have a feeling I'm actually going to read more. We'll see.

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  17. I like the challenges you're making for yourself. I accomplished a lot last year, but not enough if it was writing.

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    1. I'm hoping that by making "Writing" my One Word it will stay at the forefront of my mind instead of getting shoved by aside by other issues.

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  18. 900 blog posts is excellent, Madeline!
    For 2022, I've only pledged 12 books on Goodreads. Since I've returned to full-time teaching, it means I have to manage my time wisely. If I read more than 12 books, then that will be a bonus.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle!

      I'm learning that managing our time AND our expectations is so important.

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  19. Congrats on the 900 posts! That's quite a milestone. When I started out, I was posting 6 days a week, and the numbers racked up fairly fast. Then... 3 days a week... then once a week. Now... every 6 months? HA... might take me until the 12th of Never to reach 900. :)

    I like numbers... which is why I like to launch my posts (when I get around to writing one) at 12:34 AM. And why I'm so stoked at the notion of getting married on 2/22/22. But I don't enumerate my goals. If I aimed for an easy-peasy low number just to make myself feel better about clearing that particular hurdle, I don't think I'd get much satisfaction from it. And if I set it too high, I'd be setting myself up for failure and would end up beating myself up over it. So... just take things one day at a time and do the best I can.

    I like the idea of selecting a theme word for the year. Right now, the only word that comes to mind is joy. So far, so good.

    Take care, sweet lady. Have a super weekend!

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    1. Love that you launch your posts at 12:34 am!

      I've learned that I need something to aim for - a number, a deadline, etc - or I most likely won't do whatever it is. :)

      I think JOY is a wonderful word, in general and for you. :)

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