The holiday is finished and I’m back to my blog which I missed very much. I hope you all had a great time with your families and friends.
Last week, it was all about New Year’s resolutions in the blogosphere: taking them, listing them or avoiding them. Personally, I’ve never been able to keep my New Year’s resolutions. When I was younger, each first of January, I use to make a list of what I wanted to accomplish in the New Year. And, each time, toward the end of the year, I was disappointed because I had not realised what I had listed. I was so focussed on the fact I had not accomplished my resolutions, I could not see the good things that happened that year. Until, one day, I decided on the “No New Year’s resolutions” policy. Reflecting on this subject, there are two main reasons why I can’t keep resolutions.
The first reason is I’m not good with following a plan. Each time I made a plan for my life, somehow, some circumstances got into the way. For me, it seems the best things in my life always happen when I expect them the less, when I don’t plan them. A good example of this is NaNoWriMo. I’ve been rambling about writing a novel for so long and, inside a few days, I learned about this challenge, registered and wrote a first draft of a 50 000 words novel in one month.
The second reason is I always see the two sides of a coin. I can be set on one way to tackle a decision and, a few hours later, I change my mind and I follow a different path… Am I the only one to be like this?
So, for 2013 there are no resolutions: it’s all about embracing the moment and making the maximum of each day, keep my mind open to whatever life brings me and take advantage of each opportunity coming my way.
But, this holiday got me thinking lots on what I wanted to do this year regarding work, writing and blogging. Finding work in Australia has been a big challenge for me. I’ve been applying intensively for work since I finished my Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and I’ve been struggling much to find something. This was a huge source of stress for me. So, for this year, I decided to keep an eye open on possibilities for work but put most of my energy into what really makes me happy, into what I really like to do: writing. So, I will work on finishing my novel and edit it and focus on my blog.
There are lots of ideas for my blog running in my head: I still want to do my first giveaway, I’m still thinking of moving the blog to a self-hosted website, I have a project of knitting, maybe even a linky party…
But, for the moment, there are already some changes happening over here. The first one is there is ads on the blog now. These ads are provided by a program called WordAds. It’s something I’m trying out. I put a lot of time and effort into this blog and I thought, perhaps I can have a little monetary reward out of it. I want to put a huge emphasis on the fact that you can be assured to always have my honest and truthful opinion on this space. You also can be assured I will always be totally transparent on this blog. These ads don’t affect in any way either my opinion or what I’m writing on the blog.
Also, I will join the Romance Writers of Australia for some motivation toward my novel. Finally, I will also join The Australian Women Writers Challenge because I want to read more and discover Australian women writers. Any suggestion of book is welcome.
This year I just want to live according to this quote which I mentioned before:
Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it. – Groucho Marx
So, hopefully 2013 hold many positive things for me and I hope the same to all of you. Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to know you better this year. Again, thank you so much for your support!
Do you take New Year’s resolution?
What are they?
Do you make life plans?
Linking this post with Jess over at Essentially Jess for I Blog on Tuesdays.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay! I am not the only one without 2013 resolutions! Hehe
Subhan Zein
No resolutions for me this year either
I did an anti-resolution for 2013. Things I haven’t done and still won’t do. Rachel xx
I read your post Rachel! I still want to know how you do it without ironing?!
Happy New Year Rita!! Your the best!! keep it up!! Much Love!! xoxo
Marianne Habib
This year my only goal to be more patient – not doing so great 1 week in but I’m trying
There is no resolutions for me. I like to live my life day by day. Que sera sera. Happy resolutions for all the bloggers & Happy New Year!
I am no good at following through on plans! I always have the best of intentions but end up diverting either a little or completely! I heard from a speaker that it’s a good idea to do a Do-Not-Do list rather than a Do-this-and-that list. Might be a good idea to try out!
I love this idea Mandy! Something I should try out…
I don’t really do resolutions either any more – I just don’t seem to be very good at following through. But I do find I get ideas and run with them, like focussing my blog efforts more on tutorials this year.
I understand about the ads – I felt exactly the same when I started putting ads on my blog. I just spend too much time on it to not want to make a little return. I think other bloggers understand and some readers won’t even notice.
Have a great year!
Thank you so much Tonya for your support. I felt all weird when I saw the ads. But, at the end of the day, there are no reasons for me to feel like this.
I tend to be good with a list, unless it’s too long. Have a habit of being a bit too optimistic which I’m trying to curb whilst still sticking close to the words of Groucho Marx’s excellent quote. Blogging is the most satisfying type of writing for me at the moment, I love the freedom and the photos and video.
Off to check out your adverts. Hope they work well for you.
I’m not big on New Year Resolutions either. This year, the only one I made is that I am going to learn to make sushi as it is my 18 year old son’s favourite food
By the way, it’s “two sides of the coin”, not “two sides of the medal”
hope it is okay to point that out!
Thanks again for correcting me Janet! Please, don’t hesitate to do it.
I am so sure you will succeed Rita. You are doing a wonderful job
I took on my first paid ad and got a nuffnang ad which was pretty special. I don’t know why getting paid would even be an issue to discuss, but some do. I have ethics as you do, and I guess it helps to keep making them boldly and proudly stated (not that celebs have to, but thats another story).
I do believe setting goals (resolutions – whatever) helps so much. Whether they are achieved or fall to the wayside – because life happens – it doesn’t matter. The intent is in the mind and the power of the subconscious and brain is….well….mind boggling
Thanks for your support Becc!
Hi Rita – I have no doubt that you will do well at whatever you set your mind to! No new years resolutions for me either … except to continue on the path I am on which I outlined in my NY resolution post. I am interested in moving my blog to self hosted also as there is so much I can’t do with it that I want to as it is. I am not good at all the technical stuff tho – so may need to find someone to advise me. I love the quote you posted – it is right in line with the way I am training myself to think. All the best for a fantastic 2013 for you
xo
Me too Min, they are so many things I don’t understand technically and I’ve been scared to move my blog to a self-hosted one because I’m not sure how to do it… Just letting you know that if you need anything regarding your blog, I’m happy to help if I can. Don’t hesitate to ask me.
Great post Rita. You know, sometimes if you have goals/plans/resolutions, you miss out on other things that you might have been shutting yourself off to. Keep applying for work, keep writing, keep opening up lines of communication/making contacts, who knows what will come your way. ox
I’m dreadful at new years resolutions also. It’s nice to have a vague sense of direction sometimes though. I think we need to stop being so hard on ourselves.
No New Years resolutions for me either Rita. I am simply going to enjoy what comes at me this year, am looking forward to 2013. xx
I never follow through on the resolutions either. I was going to do a word to live by, but my attention wasn’t long enough. I think I just need to concentrate on enjoying the journey
Hello from #teamIBOT
Rita you have my dream degree! I started it many many moons ago, well I started a BA with the intent of getting a job in journalism so that is pretty much the same. At the time of these thoughts I did think my final degree would be a phd, constant dreamer that I am.
My first Nano experience was the same as yours. Sadly I have not been successful in completing since then. Strange how things work hey? The year I find out about it days before the start and I gun it in, all following years I spend 12 months looking forward to it and only to not even make the halfway line!
Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely lady, wishing you all the very best for 2013, oh and put my name down on the first buyers of your novel list
Thank you so much Rhianna! Haha, I will put your name on my list! Never too late to go back and study your dream degree… Meanwhile, you too continue to write. I just love the way you do it!
Hi Rita! I dont really have a plan or a resolution for 2013. I try to live my life to the fullest with my family and loved ones. Wishing you a good year!! I havent notice the ads on the blog (meaning it doesnt bother!)
Good! I’m happy to know from readers that they are not too obvious…
My big thing this year is to get organized, fingers crossed. I hope you achieve everything you’re working towards this year
Ah yes, resolutions can be stifling can’t they. I don’t do resolutions. but I do celebrae milestones as and when they come.
I agree with you! Love celebrating milestones!
I love that quote! Groucho Marx hit the nail on the head with that one!
Congratulations on NaNoWriMo! I had heard it mentioned but didn’t know what it was all about. Well done you!
All the best on achieving what you would like to this year Rita
xx
I also don’t make resolutions although this year I did make some plans on how I was going to achieve a healthy and fit body.
Great quote – I am always looking for things like that !
Have the best day and good luck in your job hunting – the right job will come along when the time is right (I know that is hard to hold onto but it is the truth).
Me
Love that quote! I’m also not one for resolutions – just a way to set yourself up for failure I think! Hope 2013 is full of opportunities and adventure x
I have made some resolutions this year but I have been able to stick to some in the past so I’m hopeful they’re achievable. I really hope this year is the year for you and for your writing – good luck with it all!
Thanks for your wish Kirsty!
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