We’re near enough a whole week in and the New Year is already running away with me! My TBR could fill a swimming pool, my blog is looking sparse, I haven’t outlined any real resolutions AND I’ve eaten all my holiday treats already. Two of these things are actionable and that’s what I’m hoping this post will be able to help with.

I’m actually, for some of my goals, thinking the S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals) objectives methodology might help me out – for others there’s more fluidity, they’re about attitude and gradual improvement. Connie at Connie Reads is using ‘progress’ as her word of the year and I can’t help but agree that it’s the perfect way to sum up my thoughts and aspirations as we head for the next chapter.

Bookish Goals –

I’ve chosen goals with S.M.A.R.T qualities so I can keep track of them and hopefully tick them off at the end of the year (so satisfying!):

24 blog posts in 12 months. This is both ambitious and attainable if I can keep myself organised. Two a month, and hey by the end of this I’ll already be one down! Nailing it.

Write 30,000 words of fiction. I’m going to be writing a lot this year – it’s a passion I’ve let slide and I need to slowly remind myself of the pleasures of writing. Maybe I’ll even have something to show for it at the end of the year!

Read 20 books I really want to read I’m dropping my GoodReads goal down significantly this year because the pressure of making a reading goal always seems to put me off reading all together. I have a bunch of books on my TBR this year I desperately want to start so this target is more about enjoyment than quantity.

Keep in touch with my favourite bloggers and bookstagrammers.  I’m part of a wonderful online community and I’m not taking that for granted this year. I’ll be bothering you all every week and reaching out for your recommendations – maybe I’ll finally see you all at YALC this year too!

Here’s a few things I’m hoping to do for me this year:

Prioritise Sleep: as much as I’d like to believe I’m still a machine that can live on 5-6h a night, I’m beginning to recognize the benefits of a good night’s sleep. That means no more reading into the early hours and a solid night time routine. It’s the most boring but probably most important goal of mine this year.

Take better care of my skin: I have a combination face and it’s rare for me not to be having a break out – this year I’m going to try again to adjust my diet and skincare routine to help look after myself a little better.

Be better. This goal is vague and unspecific but I’m hoping if I remind myself of it every day I can take little steps to improving my impact on myself and the world.

I feel like that’s a good start and I’m feeling positive about the next weeks and months ahead.

Have you set any goals for 2019?