I did a little mid-year review of my 2023 resolutions last month. I was supposed to write a mid-year review last month, but July was busy, and I didn't have much time to write. Looking back at my January post, I have to say that I'm way behind in fulfilling my resolutions. Admittedly, I have forgotten some of them already. I've been doing some of them on and off.
I (think I) need to reread the Atomic Habits book. :)
For weeks I have been reorganizing my thoughts and thinking of how I can fully maximize this blog. I like to write. The only problem is I always get stuck on what to write about. I always fear that my posts will not be cohesive enough or that my blog will be chaotic since I don’t have a niche. I sometimes question myself as to why I write. What do I want to convey or maybe share with my audience? So many things overflow in my mind that it stops me from writing anything. I’ve had this blog for over a year now and I only have three active posts. I have seven blog topics that are still stuck in drafts.
I know I’m not alone in this line of thought. Many people are like me who are passionate about writing but hesitate to write or start a blog because of writer’s block, fear of running out of topics to write about or scared of what other people may think, etc.
BLOG DIRECTION
After some careful thought, I decided on a direction for my blog. Before this blog became Fashionably Clueless, I first started with Happy Orchid. I used to post my weekly journal spreads, books, and travels. I occasionally post about luxury goods, clothes, travel, and other stuff. As much as I want to transition to fashion, I find that it's not my cup of tea. I know I rarely get readers whenever I write about my journal spreads, books, and journal finds but I thought of going back to writing about those things. It's a more familiar territory for me and a niche that I will enjoy writing about.
Journaling and writing about books will be my main niche but I will still be writing about other things and maybe include blog segments just to keep it interesting. I will also incorporate snippets of my journey as an illustrator and stationery designer for my stationery brand, Warm Vanilla Stationery.
RESOLUTIONS: A MID-YEAR REVIEW
Read More Books -- No surprise here. The only book I finished reading in a span of six months is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I started reading The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien about three weeks ago but I recently bought the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and thought of starting with that. I'm a huge LOTR fan and in a span of one month, I've watched the whole trilogy 5-6 times.
Planning and Journaling -- I've been journaling on and off since January. I started to journal consistently (again) last June. Aside from my journal, I started using Notion sometime last month to work on my schedules, priorities, and a place where I dump all my ideas. About three weeks ago, I started a gratitude/meditation/prayer journal. So far, I'm consistent with my gratitude journal. It's something that I do every morning before I start my day.
Hone my skills and develop new ones -- So far, this one is something that I neglected. I would occasionally research about things but not to hone my skills. I'm thinking of including Skillshare in my list of priorities for the week. I'll be putting that in my journal so I won't forget.
Tone down the lazy button -- I think laziness is deeply embedded in my very core. It's the ONE thing that I can't shake off. Although, I've been less lazy lately. I've been practicing to be more mindful of the things I do and think. I like to talk to myself whenever I feel like not doing anything and just stay still all day. It's hard to explain but I would nag at myself (just like how a parent would) whenever I feel like procrastinating.
Slow but steady progress -- I have practiced pacing myself in some areas like waking up earlier than my usual wake up time. I used to wake up at 9 or 10 in the morning but I started to practice waking up 30 mins earlier until I have adjusted my wake up time to my desired time. I now wake up at 7.30am to do my prayer and reading bible verses.
Take care of my physical health -- Just like how I find it difficult to tone down my lazy button, I also find it hard to take care of my health. In a span of six months after I posted my resolutions last January, I think I have exercised less than ten times. I'm that lazy to workout. Admittedly, I'm not in my best shape. I can feel myself aging quickly and I'm not even in my 40's. Diet and exercise are not my best friends but I really have to make friends with them soon. My way of exercising is going to the mall and window shop for hours just to complete the exercise ring in my Apple Watch.
Prioritizing my mental health -- If there's one thing that I think I've done well, it's taking care of my mental health. Ever since I started my prayers and meditations in the morning, and writing on my gratitude journal, I became more mindful and thankful. I worry less, overthink less, and I became more appreciative of the simplest things in life.
As I journey through the rest of the year, I still have time to fulfill some of the resolutions I have missed. Being consistent is really a challenge specially for the the things I'm not really comfortable doing. Pacing myself is one of the best resolutions I've done. I don't like to pressure myself into doing things I have a hard time doing. Whenever I feel forced or obligated, I know that resolution will never stick. I may do it a few times then quit cold turkey. I think the key to working on resolutions is to never stop trying. If you feel tired of doing it, just take a break but never stop trying.
Have you done a mid-year review of your resolutions? How did you do?
コメント