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Hiiii! How are we all breaking in the first week of the new year? Thus far, I've managed to hop on board a 30 day yoga journey (thanks Yoga with Adrienne) as well as make it almost half-way through the current book I'm reading: Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin. I mentioned it in one of my previous posts and the book is still teaching me so much in each chapter.   Since graduating from college, I've kind of neglected literature and have not been reading as much as I'd like to. Yeah, we technically read all the time scrolling on FaceBook or Twitter, but the type of content stimulating our eyes is very different than good researched literature, or even a well written story or comic. So, this has prompted a new goal 2023: I intent to read at least 12 books this year. I figure that is an easy enough number (with my best friend's personal goal at 24); surely I can finish one book a month. My own mother has managed to tackle over 100 books a year for a few years now, and as I mentioned before, she really is such an inspiration to me.

This current book is a bit dense, not in page number, but in content. I really want to absorb and retain all the information this author has been feeding me, so I'm taking my time with it. My next read, I think, is going to be finally finishing up Uzumaki by Junji Ito. I started the book last year and really thought I'd at least finish that one in 2022, but nope... it got away from me, just like my workout routine and yoga practice did.

I know New Year's Resolutions are so chees and often unattainable, but I think having well structured and realistic goals are important to have all the time if we want to grow and excel in our lives. I think my goals are good, but perhaps some should be more specific; specificity helps attainability, I think. So, for me, let's see...

1. Finish reading 12 books.  Any books! They don't all have to be scientific or highly educational. Just sit down and read!

2. Make time for weekly yoga sessions and/or dedicate more time to walking.  Currently, I just want to complete this 30 day challenge and see how I feel afterwards. If I fall back from there, if I can at least keep a weekly practice, I believe the habit will grow. They say it takes 30 days to form a habit, so I'll check in with you all then to tell you how I'm doing and feeling! I've also read it is recommended that most people take around 10,000 steps a day... and I do not typically do that. I honestly find it hard to reach 6,000 some days, as so much of my work involves sitting in front of the computer.

3. Eat and drink mindfully and in moderation. We don't need to punish ourselves for the occasional urge to indulge; however, moderation is key. Don't overdue it on the midnight milkshakes or gooey cookies, and maybe don't have a third beer. If ya do, it's okay! Just try not to make a habit of unhealthy consumption. My body seems to hate it as much as my mind does (GERD gang, anyone?).

4. Schedule more posts on social media and think ahead. Being a full time artist, freelance at that, can be a lot to handle. It's a constant feeling of almost drowning in work, but I think a good, clean schedule with automated posts and emails could work to my benefit. If I sit down at the beginning of the month or the week and prepare that month or week's content, then it's done and I can move onto other business requirements without it sitting in the back of my mind as a constant tiring reminder of what I need to do before bed.

5. Create, create, create. This isn't much of a resolution, since I create all of the time, but the goal is to always move forward and step it up. I am ever changing and so is my art, so are my goals, so are my ambitions. Create, for myself and for my clients, but definitely find more time to create for myself... it keeps the energy alive and can possibly help deter burnout. We'll see. It's a scary thought. But here I am, still doing the thing!  That's all I can really think of right now, and I think that's fine; too many goals or resolutions can get messy and overwhelming. If you find that you've completed your goal, perhaps consider the next step of that same particular goal and think of how you could further improve on it. Don't stress yourself out, but do take time to think and outline an action plan.

I hope some of what I've outlined here can help you in your own life, dreams, and achievements. I'd love to hear about your goals or resolutions, too! And tell me how your year is going so far! Let's revisit in a year and see what we did right, what we did wrong, and what we perhaps didn't even consider!

Cheers. Let's make this year a good one. I cannot wait to see what we all do!

LEM Photography
MUAH Lilith Jenovax
Gown thrifted by Petra Morrigan Stoker
Gainesville, Georgia 2022