New Years’ Resolutions 2021 | Mid-Year Check-In

We’re more than halfway through 2021, and that’s my favourite time to do a mid-year check-in on my New Years’ Resolutions and see how I’m doing.

Firstly, what were my New Years’ Resolutions for 2021?

Read 101 Books

I always set myself a Bookish Resolution to read a certain number of books. Last year it was 100 books, and in 2021 I want to see if I can slightly top that with 101 books.

Edit a novel

After writing two books in 2020, it’s time to edit them. Editing is not my favourite part of writing, but it is a necessity! And can lead to amazing things.

Go to Disneyland Paris

I’ve been trying to go to Disneyland all of 2020 since my birthday trip in June was cancelled due to the lockdown. Fingers crossed that me and my friends will manage to get there in 2021!

Earn a substantial income as a writer

So, after a year of stepping away from freelancing and focusing on other projects, in 2021 I would love to make more of a substantial income as a writer. Be that as a novelist or journalist, either would make me happy.

Focus on myself

In 2021 I was focusing a lot on other people in my personal life and at work. With COVID, I was anxious about everyone’s health, workloads and livelihoods since everyone’s lives were turned upside down. I spent the majority of the year putting others before myself and in 2021 I want to lessen that pressure on myself and focus on myself instead. It’s not selfish, it’s self-care.

So… how did I do? Well, I can’t say I’ve achieved any of these as yet – here’s why!

I’ve read 71 books so far

I’m aiming to read at least 101, and I’m on track to do this. So that’s good at least!

I am editing a novel

Actually… this is not going too badly. I’ve been editing an old project, a project that some might remember called My Mr Keats… 

‘Go to Disneyland Paris’

Hahahaha! Nope. This has been on my New Years’ Resolution for two years now and I’m still no closer than I was two years ago!

I’m not earning substantial income as a writer

Another ha! moment. Whilst the advance for writing my book was great, I doubt I could call the new income ‘substantial’. I think of it more like pocket money. But you never know, there are still 4-5 months left in 2021.

Focusing on me? Nope.

Whilst I went into 2021 full of narcissistic hope, due to family health issues this was not the case and that’s the way it needed to be. As above, there are still 4-5 months left in the year and time for some self-reflection and self-care so I could redeem a bit of the year to focus on myself.

But there we have it, that’s my mid-year check-in. There’s still some way to go to achieve what I set out to at the beginning of the year.

But how about you? How are your New Years’ Resolutions going – if you even set them? Let me know in the comments below.

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