Last Year's Resolutions: How Did I Do?

I’m kind of a resolution addict. I love setting goals. This year I used a bingo board for my resolutions which I’ll show you tomorrow. But how did I do this past year? Were my resolutions just words on a page or did I actually stick to them? We’ll see.

Not Accomplished:

• Becoming a peer specialist. I finished the entire curriculum, took every class, filled out the paperwork, got three letters of recommendation and then never sent it in. Part of me is a little worried I am not stable enough to be a peer specialist because even though I might look like I have my shit together at any given point I usually don’t. I’m always one breakdown or manic episode away from the psych ward. I don’t have the confidence now to be a peer specialist. Maybe in the future if I keep doing things that build mastery like hosting poetry slams or getting more freelance work or setting up a book club in an assisted living facility, maybe this will help me become a peer specialist. But if not they are good things to do in their own right.

• Working freelance. I got no business at all this year. I sent out some emails especially to local magazines but I was rejected at every turn. There was this particularly nasty one that told me I wasn’t good enough instead of just a polite “no”. I probably caught him on a bad day but at least I wouldn’t have to worked with it.

• I let sign language go. I don’t know if it was my medication but I was not retaining any information. After a month I forgot how to say “Hi, how are you?” It was my mind was a sieve. I even forgot the alphabet. I decided to stretch my brain in different ways like brainteasers and logic puzzles (mostly stuff using word games) in its stead.

• I dropped the book idea I mentioned last year. Right now I’m finishing up my anthology (I finally thought of a title. But I’m publishing under a pseudonym so I don’t want to say  it. Btw if you are interested in my new book and you are not family hit me up and I’ll see if we can arrange something) and working on three WIPs (works in progress). 

• I never gave each month a theme but am I going a thing where (if I don’t have any other ideas) I designate certain things for each day of the week, I look forward to expanding my content and please please please keep me up to date on the stuff you want to see.

Resolutions I Kept:

• I am able to knit. There is a lot of stuff I can’t do and don’t know about (like how to correct a drop stitch or how to knit with multiple colors) but this year I managed to knit a blue hat, a pink hat with a tassel and a green cowl that yes, was originally going to be a hat but I’m so glad it turned into something else. I also knitted utensil holders for my mom so we can set the table nice at fancy dinners. That was hard because I had to create holes on purpose not by accident like I usually did. I love wearing the pink hat or the cowl because it really feels like I’m expressing myself.

• I have worked with Rockland Poets for over a year now. At the last open mic I hosted solo for the first time. Before that I hosted with various members of the organization committee and by the time I was on my own it didn’t feel so scary. Plus I have begun placing in the top three again which makes  me think my poetry mighty be evolving. Maybe I’ll make it on the slam team this time?

• Had a great year with the book club. We read some great books this year. We read some Octavia E. Butler books and then we went to the city to check out an exhibit dedicated to her. We read The Green Mile and had a movie night after. We have five birthdays in two weeks so we had a birthday celebration. And of course White Elephant at the Christmas party. We always have lively discussions and everybody gives input on the books we will read next. There are nine members of book club (I make ten) and everybody loves it as much as I do. 

• I am still playing piano.  I stopped posting videos because my medication is messing with my voice and I felt self- conscious. It’s nicer to just let loose and not worry about hitting all the notes (although my piano playing has definitely improved and so has my transposing skills. Some day I’ll show you guys what I did with Chappell Roan).

• Read 20 books or more on my own/ with Mom.

I read about 60-65 books this year, most of them on my own, some with my mom. This is also the year I discovered audiobooks so I was able to listen to books on tape while I crafted or made presents or colored which is good for a multitasker. To see my top ten faves of the year check out yesterdays post.

• Read at least twelve books with the book club,

In the year of 2025, we read Out of My Heart, The Octopus Man, Parable of the Sower, Parable of the Talent, Final Girl Survival Group, Green Mile, Bluebeard’s Egg, The People We Keep, Persepolis, The Book of Delights, The Turn of the Screw, We All Live in the Castle, and The Psychopath Inside. Done.

2025 was a great year. An epic year. But I have a good feeling 2026 will live up to the highest of expectations.