I’m again joining Denyse for her Life This Week linkup and today she’s asked us to consider the fact there are two months until Christmas.
Bah humbug! On that note. I’m not a big fan of Christmas, though this year I think it’ll just be my mother and I… which is entirely doable. My mum loves the crap that comes with the silly season – cards, decorations, presents and so forth; but (thankfully) is easily dissuaded from overly formal lunches and the like.
However… the lovely Leanne from DeepFried Fruit (and she really is lovely, I’m just not saying that cos I love a bit of alliteration!) wrote about this very thing on the weekend – the fact that the year is almost over. 2017 is nigh, and all that.
“Fuck!” I thought, wondering what the hell I’d done with the 298 days I’ve survived of 2016. And then I remembered I have been kinda busy. There’s been a new job with a lot of travel around the region. I’ve sold my place. I’ve bought a place. I’ve moved. I’ve had some health issues and surgery. I’ve been to a blogging conference and a couple of writing events. And I’ve read (and reviewed) 116 books. So far.
But, although I stayed away from the whole ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ concept, there were things I was SUPPOSED to do. Things I WANTED to do. I wanted to pitch some freelance articles to someone who would pay me. I wanted to do some work on a novel I was supposed to start last November. I wanted to become a more resilient person. And perhaps meditate. (Am saving world peace for next year, in case you were wondering.)
Interestingly although I’m a tad aghast at how much time has flown by this year my comment on Leanne’s post was surprisingly positive.
It means I still have TWO months left in which to get shit done.
I mentioned in my weekly check-in that I’m hoping most of my work travel is done for the year and shortly a big meeting will be out of the way and things should calm down a little. So that just leaves the fun stuff. My writing and blogging. Settling into my house. Spending time with loved ones. And… just being.
I know the next two months will rush by but it doesn’t mean I can’t try to make the most of them. So to keep me honest, I pledge here that I will:
- Pitch a freelance article or book review to a site / publication that pays
- Participate in NaNoWriMo (which I mentioned in my weekly check-in) and at least try to get part of a novel written. Even if I do nothing with it.
These next two months will pass anyway… whether I continue to spend it wasting my time on crap and ruing the things I haven’t done; OR whether I get my butt into gear and get shit done.
Are you dreading the next couple of months or relishing the remainder of 2016?
October 24, 2016
I’m focusing on the still 2 mths to get stuff done comment. I’ve done so much, but so little of what I should have done.
October 24, 2016
Ah yes, that’s a good way of putting it Jo. I can very much relate. I was looking through some old pics on my phone for something last night and saw the pictures in the lead-up to putting my place on the market. That was really not something I expected to be doing this year. Let alone the surgery etc… As 2016 ticked over I just had my fingers crossed re getting a job!
October 24, 2016
as I start to focus on Christmas, I’m also starting to focus on being stronger in 2017… who knows how that will go.
October 24, 2016
The resilience thing is always a biggie for me Cate. I had a bit of a breakthrough early last week and made a vlog about the fact that I was struggling BUT knew it was temporary. (I’m usually a catastrophist!)
October 24, 2016
You read 116 books? What have I done with my year? I’m struggling to get through number 2. Love your goals though! My fingers are tightly crossed for you.
October 24, 2016
Ha! I think there are book bloggers out there who’ve read a lot more than me and even double! I only read at night though and MAKE myself have a couple of non-reading nights.
October 25, 2016
Well I’m impressed.
October 24, 2016
Best of luck with your pitch! Everything crossed here too!
SSG xxx
October 24, 2016
116 books! That is amazing! I think I’ve read maybe 3? All celebrity autobiographies, lol. Great job! #LifeThisWeek
Di from Max The Unicorn
October 24, 2016
I kinda see the book blogging thing as a bit of a job. Unpaid of course (and on top of my paid job) but I try to read everything I’ve requested. Three books a week seems to be pretty comfortable for me, though there’s the occasional week I’ve got a lot on etc…
October 24, 2016
Dreading. I hate Christmas – only because extended family have such high expectations. I’d just like to fast-forward through the formal festivities and just get to the summer holidays part!
October 24, 2016
I have minimal family so it’s not usually too big a deal for me. It’s been just mum and I a few times and now with no little ones around (I only have the one brother who has one child who’s 20) it’s really not something we stress as much over.
October 24, 2016
Love the pledge hehe. I am overwhelmed by shit to do at the moment and feel like I am mostly not doing it. But then you’re right when you look back I.have done more than I realised.
October 24, 2016
Like Jo said – I realise I’ve done a lot of stuff I HADN’T planned, but not much of the stuff I expected to do. But guess that’s okay AND…. I do have 2mths!
October 24, 2016
This time of year is always so busy for me. Not only trying to prepare for Christmas, but we have a few birthdays, name days and this year, also a wedding thrown into the mix!
I am the one who buys all of the gifts for both my side and my husbands side. Thankfully, I give money to the older nieces and nephews so that makes it a bit easier.
October 24, 2016
I’ve got a small family (the one bro, SIL and niece) and my friends and I don’t really do gifts any more so I have limited gift buying which is good.
October 24, 2016
I like that you are going to have Christmas with Mum and that will please Mum. You have had a huge year and my 2c is that you are nailing so much well!! I do hope that paid writing comes to you as you hope and that you can give yourself the time off to enjoy the place and space you are in now. Thanks so much for your bloggy support in the Link Up! Denyse x
October 24, 2016
No worries Denyse and yes… I really just need to set aside the time to write something to pitch. I’m not sure why it’s so daunting.
October 24, 2016
I love your positive attitude to this Deb. I’ve been panicking that the year is almost over but we do still have 2 full months to achieve something – thanks for reminding me of that!
October 24, 2016
Yes… that’s the first thing that hit me when Leanne mentioned 9 Saturdays left in the year. That seemed like a lot. I know it isn’t, but it should be!
October 24, 2016
Awww (blush).
What a positive post Deb!!
You’ve just motivated me (mine was less positive). You’re right. We’ve still got 2 months!! Thanks for flicking the switch to the light bulb in my brain.
October 24, 2016
That’s what surprised me too Leanne… the mention of ‘9’ Saturdays. In many ways it IS a long time….
October 24, 2016
Wow, you’ve had a super busy year! And there’s definitely time for more. Good luck for NaNoWriMo and the pitching. You can do it!
October 25, 2016
Thanks Ness!
October 25, 2016
116 book reviews, you got stuff done. That’s huge.
October 25, 2016
I noted I read about 140 books last year, so I’ve still got a few to go to beat that!
October 25, 2016
I seriously cannot believe how fast this year has gone! I’ve achieved many things but there is always more on the list. Like you, NaNoWriMo is one of those things! Good luck with ticking off your two goals.
October 26, 2016
Thanks Sarah!
October 26, 2016
Time is definitely flying past; I have no issue with that, I guess it means we are well and happy. But, like you, I’m not a fan of Christmas. Bah humbug!
October 27, 2016
I’m glad it’s not just me Janet!
October 28, 2016
Ah shit, I work for a mail order company and I keep hearing my colleagues who take the orders mentioning Christmas on about every phone call, I’m fed up of it already! But believe it or not when it does arrive I do love it especially if we get a white Scottish christmas!
October 28, 2016
Ah yes… Christmas falls in summer here, so it’s usually hot. People tend to ditch the turkey for cold seafood!
October 30, 2016
I need to relook at my goals! Like you said 2 months still leaves time to achieve SOMETHING! Maybe not everything but enough to finish the year on a good note. Good luck with NaNo.
October 31, 2016
True Trish – that’s what I thought when I realised the 8wks thing. That can seem like a long time someimes!