I love planning. I am trying so hard to resist the urge to over-plan for the new year. Every year I’m filled with that “new school year” excitement where there are only possibilities. I want to do everything and anything that makes sense. What I really need is a reset year. A year where I let myself do what I need to do and what I want to do without judgment, guilt, or shame.
That makes it sound like I’m embarrassed about whatever it is, but more so, I need to learn that rest is good, taking my time is good, and my pace is the way it is for a reason.
So, like last year, I’m going to start with what I DID do:
- Read 65 books (so far)
- Started a Substack
- Wrote synopsis and started discovery writing a contemporary novel (College Drama)
- Wrote over 25k words in a Romantasy draft (Scars and Demons)
- Got to Chapter 8 of 25 of developmental edits for Magick Forest
- Planned and hosted my wedding!
- Created book page roses with my family’s book club for the wedding
- Designed and printed signage for the wedding
- Learned to make good gluten-free bread
- Crocheted multiple hats
- Painted the hallway and guest bathroom
- Built two new raised beds
- Had an insane pepper harvest from the garden
- Started therapy for my anxiety
- Hosted our first Thanksgiving successfully
- Started Great Lakes Gothic for short stories
- Routinely went to Lagree classes 2x/week
I’m sure there were many other things I see as “little” that didn’t make this list or that I’ve completely forgotten about. When looking at that list, I feel more accomplished than looking at the list of things I didn’t quite get done…
- Finish edits on Magick Forest (too broad of a goal?)
- Begin querying with Magick Forest (focus on finishing first)
- Post The Arrangement Season 2 on Radish (should be “finish drafting”)
- Write a short story to professionally submit (ignore the submit portion and focus on the writing)
- Get new kitchen counters and sink (this money went to a roof instead…priority)
- New insulation in our basement (again…roof…priority)
I think the main issue I’m having is that a lot of my goals are great as “long-term” goals, but my neurospicy brain really needs short, achievable steps to work with. So for 2025, I’m going to reframe a bit.
- Have a writing session at least once per week.
- Work on developmental edit draft of Magick Forest.
- Work on the draft of Season 2 of The Arrangement (I’m already at 60k from previous years).
- Draft a short story.
- Schedule a Mini-Moon/Honeymoon.
- Take a continuing education course to improve confidence at work.
- Take Lagree class one more time per week.
- Read more “literary fiction.”
That’s it. Those are my goals for 2025. Fairly simple and most are doable. They say the best goals have plans behind them as well. So here are the plans:
- Schedule a 5:30 Lagree class 1x/week – use the additional 30 minutes to work on creative writing of any kind
- Sign up for a development course through the technical college nearby
- Set aside time on Thursday nights to work on writing stuff, even if for 5-10 minutes.
That’s all I’m committing to this year. I’m not shooting for the moon, I’m prepping the launch pad. I have no doubt I’ll achieve my dreams, but I need to start not expecting myself to work harder when I’m already tired.
This year I will be gentle and work on self-compassion. I will meet myself where I am without shame or guilt. I will do what I love because I love it, not because I feel like it’s now expected of me for some reason.
I hope you give yourselves a bit more grace this coming year. It’s been a rough time for everybody.
Happy Planning!
Rachel
Subtle Stories 