Goodbye, 2023!

This year was both very quick and very stressful. I'm sure other things happened, but those, right off the top of my head, are the very first two adjectives I could think of. After I looked back at my 2023 posts, the books I read, the memories I had? It was a really damn good year. Yes, it had its negatives, but overall, it didn't suck. It was actually more positive than I had originally remembered. :D 

Negatives: Colds, COVID, bronchitis, gi bugs. Air-quality alerts. 90+ degree days. Work got suuuuper stressful for a while there. Adulting. 

Positives: Friends and family. Books and candles. So many outtings with friends. So many memories with my family. And soooooo much more (see memories listed below).

2023 Resolutions:

     (1) Write [almost] every day...or at least think about it

     (2) Don't stop reading

     (3) Make something (e.g. a memories)

     (4) Share love of books/writing

     (5) Be kinder to myself

(1) None. At all. Some thoughts about trying again. But none actually accomplished. This is the second or so year in a row that I've...not done well with this resolution. Maybe this resolution needs...resolved.

(2) Books read this year: 452 (might get one more in there before midnight though).

(3) 2023 Memories: I started 2023 off with this resolution still being "(e.g a manuscript)", but I quickley changed it to memories, as its easier to make memories, and I'd rather look back on my memories than my not so well done attempts at manuscript completing. I went to the symphony twice. Three concerts. Four (?) new tattoos. Visited my sister twice. Got visited by her once. Went to the movies 3 times. A bunch of birthdays. Goat yoga. Lots of adventures/festivals at a near-by farm. My coworker had a baby. Did a reading challenge in October that inspired me to do more of in 2024. I changed positions at work. Jury duty, though I ended up not being selected to be on a jury. A bunch of long weekends to reset. A few solo vacations. And honestly, so blessed and humbled to read all of the books I did.

(4) Posts this year (including this one): 374.

(5) All in all, I want to say pretty damn good. There were days, weekends, months, that were rough mental health wise, but I'm still here so. Some months started out strong, but then I either got lazy, got sick, or just forgot. I was sick for like the first 3-4 months of this year, but it got better. Figured out a few more things about myself that can (will--be positive and assertive) help me live 2024 more happily and more authentically. 

(4) Posts this year (including this one): 374.

(5) All in all, I want to say pretty damn good. There were days, weekends, months, that were rough mental health wise, but I'm still here so. Some months started out strong, but then I either got lazy, got sick, or just forgot. I was sick for like the first 3-4 months of this year, but it got better. Figured out a few more things about myself that can (will--be positive and assertive) help me live 2024 more happily and more authentically. 

Anyone still holding onto their resolutions?

Any exciting 2024 reads?

Anything I should check out?

#newyearsresolutions #goodbye2023 #hello2024 #keeplearning #writeeveryday #dontstopreading #makesomething #shareloveofbooks #bekindertoself #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks