I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore. It’s been years since I’ve bothered. Just as soon as I made a list of goals, habits I wanted to change (or develop LOL), weight to lose, well, I’d break it and never manage to get back on track. And then the Type A overachiever side of me would heap on the guilt and self-condemnation, and the next year my list would basically look identical to the failed list of the one before.
Have you ever been caught up in that cycle?
Instead, I like to look at what worked the year before, what didn’t, and then readjust my priorities to a more realistic, doable level. Unofficially, of course. No more resolution lists.
Have you seen the TikTok/Reel clip that shows someone’s written goals and then they cross out letters or add to the end of the line so it completely changes the meaning? For example, “read 50 books” becomes “read 5 books” when they black out the zero. Or “get a new car” becomes “get a new career.” That’s how I feel looking at lists of resolutions—how can I rework them so I don’t fail (AGAIN)?!
But there’s one resolution I never have to worry about failing at: READ MORE ROMANCE. Ha ha! You IR blog readers know what I’m talking about! Check, check, and check in that box!
Speaking of goals (in lieu of resolutions… goals sound so much more achievable, don’t they?), do you set an annual reading goal for yourself?
I like to join the GoodReads annual reading challenge. I purposefully set it lower than the number I’ll actually read because I tend to go so far overboard, I get a little embarrassed looking at the real number. Which is currently at 200 out of a goal of 180… (Wait, was this post about resolutions or confessions? *face palm*) But keeping track there all year round is still a fun way to stay accountable to the goal, whether you’re realistic, lofty, or subversive in setting one.
How about you? What kinds of goals (reading or otherwise) are you setting for yourself as we head into the new year? Or, like me, have you basically given up on making resolutions and are simply looking forward to the end of 2022 with the hope of a better year filled with quality, inspiring romance reads?
To help you reach your reading goals (however unofficial they may be), our own Valerie Comer has a whole list of FREE and 99¢ books available from Christian and Inspirational authors to fill your eReader with. CLICK HERE to access the sale! You’ll find books from a number of IR authors as well as other respected authors in the Christian romance community. The sale ends TODAY, though, so hurry and get clicking!
Before I sign off my last post of 2022, I want to wish you well. I pray for you, dear readers, comes from Numbers 6:24-26:
I don’t make resolutions. I made a goal on Goodreads for the first time this year. I won’t meet it. I didn’t think it was overly ambitious. I had several major things happen this last year that kept me from reading more than usual. I am going to set a goal for this next year and hope that life is calm enough that I can meet it.
Sometimes we have to make adjustments and let go of our expectations when life goes sideways, don’t we? It’s not easy! Here’s praying 2023 is a better year.
Thank you so much for sharing, Jaycee. I do set reading goals on Goodreads. I set a goal of 40 books for this year. I have read over 80. I feel like I am in a holding pattern right now. I did get my electric wheelchair yesterday. It is very different from driving a car or an amigo in the stores. I have to practice using it. With everything happening with my parents, I am just trusting in the Lord, one moment at a time. God bless you. Happy New Year.
Nice work doubling your goal! I’m so glad the chair arrived. You have a lot on your plate, what a blessing to have at least that handled. I got your email the other day and will respond very soon!
I am a terrible goal setter. And I stopped making resolutions. I never keep them. So, I just thank God for the old year and look forward to a new year.
Thank you, Jaycee, for your well wishes. I hope your 2023 is filled with awesome blessings.
There’s a certain freedom in taking each day as it comes. I get that!
I make New Year’s Goals rather than New Year’s Resolutions.
Makes sense to me! 😆
Happy New Year! No resolutions
😊 thanks for stopping by!
I’ve never tried setting a reading goal, it sound fun, it would be nice to see how many books I do read in a year as I have no idea.
I used to like setting resolutions but I haven’t been very good at it these past couple of years. I do think it’s good to look back at things and think about what needs to change to make things better, I probably need to do that!
One thing I did do last year was read the Bible in a year on my Bible app. I have tried to spend time in God’s word each day for a long time but it was really helpful to have a structured plan encouraging me to read everything, even the bits I don’t know so well, so I plan to do that again this year.
Thanks for stopping by today! I’ve done the Bible in a year plan a couple times now, and I enjoy it! Do you like to mix it up? Some years I read chronologically, sometimes in book order. This year I’ll considering going deeper into the NT and not spending so much time slogging through the old. Lol!
Hi, Jaycee! Yeah, I’m not on the resolution wagon either. I have had some success with the to-do lists of more limited scope, maybe a week to a month. The things from those lists that don’t get done usually get moved to a BHD (Big Hairy Deal) list, sometimes known as the Wandering Cat list (herding them being the operative idea). Sometimes it seems like the only way to get the surfing done is to be floating in the water, paddling about, until something you can ride comes along. The waves aren’t always that big but they do manage to get you to shore. 😛 So, here’s to a new year of paddling, reading and listening to the still, small voice. Yeah, obeying that voice may actually be on the BHD list. Your prayer is really fitting and deeply appreciated. Happy New Year!
As usual, Lincoln, your observations are spot on! Thank you for sharing. I love the BHD list! 😆 And I know a thing or two about those wandering cats.
I don’t do new years resolutions I haven’t did the Goodreads reading goal I don’t think I knew they had that. I’m looks forward to good to Hawaii next week for my brother’s make a wish trip that have been in the works since before everything got shut down because of COVID .I also am looking forward to a new niece that is due in February and spending time more with my 3 nephews and 2 nieces but one of my nephews lives out of town so I have to do the face time or Marco Polo.
Sounds like you’ve got some wonderful plans ahead in the new year! Best wishes, Kendra!
I don’t make resolutions or set goals! I fail at both, just like you, and don’t like doing it anymore. I do keep track of how many books I read, though!! I’m working on my 231st book now, as a matter of fact!! I also have proofed/edited 95 books, and am in the middle of the 96th for the year! I’m very thankful for this “job” that God dropped in my lap back in January of 2020. So thankful that Mom knew about it, and know she’d be just as thrilled as I am at how well it’s doing. I know Daddy would have loved it, too!
So wonderful, Trudy! I received your email, too. I’ll respond in the next day or two. 😊
welcome today. I dont set words of the year or resolutions anymore either. I tend to change continually throughout the year. Plus I have to remember where I wrote it all down. And when I forget where it is, things just get muddy in my brain. Soooo not worth it all. Now I have a MONTHLY GOAL list that I keep on my desk and when something doesnt get accomplished, I just move it to another month. Example: I quilt – so when I finish something that month I check it off – if I dont finish or start, I move it to another month. Same with reading and other things. This seems to work well for me.
That’s similar to how I handle goal lists! It’s rather freeing to give ourselves a bit of grace, isn’t it?
Hi Jaycee! I also set a reading goal on Good Reads. 150 books to read each year, which I have passed each year. I enjoy keeping track of my reading that way. I do not make New Year’s resolutions, but try to review my year. Best wishes.
Sounds like we’ve got this in common! 😆
I set goals lower than I expect to reach, then I am not disappointed if I don’t live up to my real expectations and get super excited when I go well beyond the goal . I always read far more books than the number I put on Goodreads.
Makes sense to me! Lol!