Intentions Check-In 2021

Intentions:

• Develop a writing routine
• Edit and query BLOOD PRICE
• Write first draft of UNTITLED adult fantasy romance

Game Plan:

• Schedule time to write five times a week
• Find buddies to check-in with
• Start writing out monthly goals in my Novels and Narration posts to help guide myself more

So far:

I haven’t developed a writing routine yet. My writing is very sporadic and my routine, in all aspects, is practically nonexistent.

I am currently editing BLOOD PRICE and plan to query it in August!

And though I only have a few pages written for my UNTITLED WIP, I do know that I plan to dive into that as soon as I finish BLOOD PRICE edits!

Next 6 Months:

I’d really like to focus on making writing a priority again and developing a routine. I think the rest of my goals will fall into place if I can really nail that.

Intentions:

• Build a writing routine
• Finish 1st draft of WIP
• Query BLOOD PRICE

Intentions:

• Develop a reading routine
• Read one-two books a week

Game Plan:

• Delete social media off my phone (and lessen social media intake in general)
• Protect my lunch break and actually go to bed with enough time to read
• Make monthly goal TBRs to get me excited

So far:

Similar to writing, I haven’t developed a good reading routine, either. Ideally, I’d love to read in the morning, during lunch and before bed, but that’s hardly been happening. And 1-2 books a week? I’m lucky to get that per month.

However, I have read some really solid reads this year and have really enjoyed making monthly TBRs!

Next 6 Months:

Again, I’d love to make a habit of reading. I still love reading, but I found myself struggling to “start” reading, whether a new book or just to sit down and read. Yet, *every* time I do, I enjoy it and my stress lessens!

Intentions:

• Build up reading habit
• Lessen social media
• Read for pleasure, not obligation

Intentions:

• Reach 1,000 followers (currently at 878)
• Update all older posts with new feature images

Game Plan:

• Continue to post regularly and form real connections
• Promote my posts more on social media
• Take time to update my entire site for cohesion

So far:

So, I done a great job of continuing to write content for the blog. It’s one of my favorite things to do! And generally, I stay on top of blog hopping.

I am at 903 followers, so 1,000 is a major stretch for this year, I think.

I haven’t started to update any older posts, but I want to.

Next 6 Months:

On top of what I’m already doing, I’d really like to update the rest of my site with feature images, get rid of old content, update book reviews into the format I like, make sure everything is accessible; basically, get the entire site to be cohesive and leveled up to my current skill!

Intentions:

• Reach 950 followers!
• Update posts
• Stop being shy of promotion

Intentions:

• Work with at least one client each month
• Continue to self study and level up my editing skills
• Get better at marketing these services
• Work with a romance client!?

Game Plan:

• Learn more marketing tools
• Continue to support and get involved in the writing community
• Connect with more freelance editors

So far:

I’m SUPER proud of this! I have worked with seven different clients, updated my website, started offering new packages and have a fun surprise to announce of how I’ve leveled up and what I plan to offer in the future! It’ll be on the blog later this month, so stay tuned!

I’m still not great with marketing, but I’ve gotten involved and started to get to know more editors!

Next 6 Months:

I want to continue to work with new and old clients, for sure. I want to become more confident in promotion. I want to level up my skills more and continue to gain confidence as an editor.

Intentions:

• Work with one client a month
• Build marketing confidence
• Shamelessly promote

Intentions:

• Find movement I enjoy and make a routine
• Read and learn about body positivity
• Continue therapy for body dysmorphia

Game Plan:

• Read at least one non-fiction book a quarter on body positivity and body acceptance
• Lessen social media time to stop the comparison game
• Force myself to do things my brain tells me I can’t “until I lose weight”

So far:

This has been something I’ve struggled with the most. After being officially diagnosed with a severe case of OSFED (not body dysmorphia, like I thought it might be), I have continued to struggle accepting myself in a bigger body.

Depression and anxiety have stayed steady, spiking a few times, but mostly, I’ve struggled with loving myself and my body, and detangling my worth from my physical size.

Next 6 Months:

I’d really like to focus on reading more about body acceptance and finding a movement routine that makes me happy. I know recovery is not something that’s going to happen in a day, but I hope those things will help in this journey.

Intentions:

• Build a movement routine
• Read three nonfiction body acceptance books
• Continue therapy
• Lessen time on social media

Intentions:

• Learn more about the systemic racism in America
• Learn how to better have difficult conversations to help combat systemic racism, racial injustice and fight for LGBTQIA+ rights
• Continue to move away from performative to actual allyship

Game Plan:

• Continue supporting and participating in Anti-Racism Daily
• Read one non-fiction book by an anti-racist scholar a month
• Diversify my regular reading to normally include BIPOC and queer writers
• Diversify my shopping places to support more local and BIPOC communities

So far:

As this is a lifelong journey, I am nowhere close to “done” with this and never will be. However, I am making it an important daily practice in my life. I’ve read three fantastic nonfiction books–only half of my goal at this point, but with my struggle with reading, this is huge.

I want to continue to learn to have important conversations with those I love, strangers and myself.

I also want to continue to promote BIPOC and queer activists, but do a better job financially supporting them, as well.

Next 6 Months:

I want to continue building a daily habit of staying informed, growing in my knowledge, checking myself and my internalized biases and my own role in upholding white supremacy, while also improving my financial support of activist , creators and humans.

Intentions:

• Continue learning, both foundational knowledge and how to have difficult conversations
• Read at least three more non-fiction books on allyship and activism
• Find a local BIPOC store to support

List of smaller intentions I’d love to complete:

• Work on home projects
• Take better care of my hair and learn new ways to style it
• Lessen my social media intake
• Stay connected to friends better
• Write more letters and have penpals again!
• Adopt a more sustainable lifestyle
• Survive another year of grad school
• Pay off some debt?
• Explore our local nature spot more
• Visit friends in America (pandemic pending)
• New tattoo(s)?
• Get more nerdy clothes
• Cook more new recipes
• Manage my finances better
• Complete some day job work projects for my students
• Learn how to be a wonderful auntie to my new niece

So far:

I have not done a great job at these, many of which I haven’t even started to think about (yay depression).

But, I have:

• Started a skincare routine
• Am taking better care of my hair
• Got a new hairstyle
• Cleaned out our closets and upstairs bathroom

Next 6 Months:

While I’d still love to do all the things originally listed out, I really want to focus on the following for the next six months:

• Finish home projects
• Lessen social media
• Write letters
• Pay off debt
• Organize my online life