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. 

 

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

Winding Down and Revving Up

I've pretty much stopped making official New Year's resolutions. Instead, I choose certain areas of my life and certain things to make priorities, places and activities where I want to put my effort and energy. I tend to do this more around my birthday month - October - although I do find January a good time to re-focus on those plans.

Some of them are concrete and specific:

* Finish yet another draft of my Horror/YA Horror novel by June 

* Read 100 books

Others are more generalized, ones where I have notes to check in with myself to see how I'm progressing:   

* Read and study more books about the craft of writing

* Read  - and reread - more horror

* Continue to be open and ready for more Year of Yes opportunities 

How about you all? Do you make resolutions? Anything in particular you're looking forward to in 2013? Any recommendations for horror novels or Year of Yes activities?

The Tortoises' Resolutions

Yes, I know it's already a couple of weeks into the new year but you try getting two stubborn tortoises to hurry up and make resolutions - to hurry up and do anything! - and then come talk to me.

Anyway, Larry and Mrs. Larry hope that by making their resolutions public, they'll actually stick to them.  In 2011, the tortoises hope to:

Eat more greens
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Bask in the sun
Be nicer to each other
"Slow down" and enjoy life (like dining alfresco while munching fresh basil)

Hmm, they sound like pretty good resolutions to me.  Maybe those little tortoises are on to something...