I’ve never been one for new year’s resolutions. I know I won’t stick to them so I just don’t make them.
Actually, I do swear to stay of cigarettes every year. Given I don’t smoke, this is an easy one.
But I do like to set new year goals, something to work towards. And, if I don’t fully achieve the goal, I do achieve something worthwhile in between and maybe find a new hobby or passion.
Page 1 of my 2024 diary lists the following goals:
- Better work life balance
- Send my book to literary agents and get published!
- Finish my screenplay
- Start my Etsy shop
- Get a cat
- Travel more
- Do a headstand
- Save
I didn’t manage a better work life balance completely. I work full time and at the moment that suits me best financially. I was also doing a bit of work for a female business coach in my spare time, but I did have to let that go to find more time for myself. I was quite negative about the work life balance at the start of the year but now I feel grateful I have a job and thankful they took a chance on me when I had very little experience in that area of law (I’m a lawyer). I have since thrown myself in to it and treat it as a great learning experience that could lead who knows where. I’m also being more selfish with my time.
I did send my book to literary agents and although I’m not published (I know it is not an easy feat to become a published author), I managed to send my book out more times than I had at the start of the year, before setting the goal. I’ve also learnt more about what agents look for and how to write a better synopsis and cover letter. This is a goal that will continue into 2025.
I didn’t finish my screenplay – in fact, I put it down. But that’s ok. I started it. I put the idea to paper (word document) and now it’s there and waiting for when I am ready.
I did set up my Etsy shop and I ought to work at developing it. Perhaps I should add that as a 2025 goal too.
I got a cat – a mad rescue tabby called Cracker who has brought chaos and madness into the house, as well as killing all of my plants. We adore him.
I didn’t travel as much as I’d hoped and some of the plans were scuppered by flight cancellations! But I did go to Florence for the first time, and I took my daughter to Paris, which were both wonderful.
I’m still yet to achieve a headstand and although that goal won’t be added to my 2025 goals, I do plan to manage it one day. But, in trying to achieve this goal, I practiced more yoga and gained more strength and better alignment.
Save – I did save more money last year which was a huge relief, given my water tank broke and needed replacing. Without the savings we would still be having cold showers.
Then what are my goals for 2025?
It’s all about the house. I want to decorate and sort out the kitchen and bathroom.
I want to learn more about investing. I don’t know why I’m nervous about it but I am naturally risk averse so taking the first step is daunting. Lets see where I am by 2026! Maybe a millionaire (unlikely).
I want to be able to do 10 press ups in a row without collapsing. So far I’m at 3. Given the fact I’ve worked out fairly consistently since age 17 (about 30 years) I am surprisingly weak in that area.
Learn to play Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Quite random, I know. But I play the piano by ear and would love to be able to play it, just for the sake of doing it.
Learn to paint. This has been at the back of my mind for a while. One of my goals a few years ago was to learn to draw, and it has now become one of the many creative things I love to do. But I wondered how easy it would be to paint my drawings. I have been learning photoshop and quite enjoy dabbling in digital art but proper, full on actual painting doesn’t seem like something that can be easily learnt. But on a recent visit to a Francis Bacon exhibition, when I discovered he was predominantly self-taught I felt inspired! Paint what you see – so that is what I am going to do. I may not be very good, but by the end of 2025 I will be better than I was at the start.
And maybe my niche will be painting whilst standing on my head!
Here’s to 2025…and all the new things I discover and achieve.
