Monthly wrap up: April

April has been a very satisfying month.

 One theme I touched upon was not being able to find the time to do what was best for me and instead focusing on jobs I felt I should be doing. It was my challenge for the month – and the results were satisfying!

I found a new way of organising my to-do list: writing go onto the list to make sure I took the time. I have never written as much of the novel in a month as this time around, and it’s scarily close to the end – I’m actually writing the final fight! Result!

It’s not fool-proof though; I still need to find a balance between the list and what I’m in the mood for. It’s a start though, and currently that is what I need to help me shift my mindset. I’ll carry on focusing on it this month and see what happens next.

Monthly wrap up: March

So, apparently, in last month’s wrap up, I said my writing buzz was back. Ha! That didn’t last: I’ve been in a massive slump all month.

But I’m trying to get myself out of it. I’m trying a new method of pushing myself. Everyone tells me that I need to relax. But, when I was doing my Masters, I could also write non-stop, keep up to date with the blog, work part-time and still have time to get high marks in my assignments. I’m the type of person who thrives on pressure.

Monthly wrap-up: February

Anyone who read last month’s wrap-up will know this year hasn’t quite got off to the start I wanted. I was so optimistic that February was going to be my month and it…well, it failed.

This is definitely a case of reality being a b*tch and a few health scares in the family that led to a lot of stress and worry – still are, in fact.

I did manage a little bit of a social life though! Admittedly it was all crammed into one weekend, so the result ended up being a haze of exhaustion, but it was still enjoyable. I failed on the book club front: I wasn’t 100% and didn’t want to wait around for two hours and then have a late night. Who knows where this is going to lead!

Monthly wrap-up: January

2019 did not quite get off to the start I was hoping for. I’ve had a difficult January. This is the first year I’ve really noticed what people mean by it being a strange month and everything feels like it has got away from me.

The main problem is I’ve had a lingering cold for a month which turned into sinusitis (again). Not feeling well meant I stopped the gym for about three weeks and completely undid all the hard work I had done before Christmas. The headaches prevented me from using the evenings in the way that I wanted and my weekends seemed to be focused on cleaning and nothing else.

Up and Coming: November

This is possibly the latest I’ve ever written this post!

October was a hectic month, with some momentous occasions. I finally had my graduation ceremony for my Masters. I also survived my first conference for work. Oh, and throw a horrible cold into the mix as well.

Being so busy – and not necessarily with things of my choice – meant the blog got put on hold for most of October. Thankfully I had enough posts scheduled that I could get through. But a month of not reading as much as normal meant I wasn’t certain what November would bring.

Thankfully, a few books were shorter than I anticipated and my graduation left me feeling inspired. It meant a couple of busy days of writing posts, scheduling content and getting a grip on reality again means November is once again doable. Yay!

Up and Coming: October

Hello October! Where did you come from? I love the summer, but am the first to admit digging out the jumpers and the blankets makes me happy. Nothing beats snuggling in with a hot drink and a good book!

I’ve got an interesting month coming up!

I should – if all goes according to plan – have my first conference for work. I have no idea what to expect or what I’m supposed to do but it feels like a big deal. Fingers crossed everything goes ahead.

I also have my graduation ceremony! Finally!

Over a year after I handed in my major project for my Masters, I get to say I’ve graduated. I know some people aren’t going and I understand why – it ends up being an expensive day. But I’ve taken a long route around to get to this point, and it’s not been an easy ride. I want the moment of walking onto that stage, not for myself, but for my parents and their unconditional support over the last eight years. Couldn’t have done it without them!

With lots of exciting things happening, it’s only fair that I have some exciting books coming up, right?

Up and Coming: September

It feels like it has been a while since I’ve been genuinely excited to write this post. Having a blogging break did me the world of good. Halfway through it, I suddenly realised I was feeling inspired again and spent an entire weekend catching up on posts, making a plan and getting content scheduled. I finally got my buzz back and I’m hoping it lasts.

I’m also thrilled with the content that I have coming up this month. It includes the next/final books in series that I have thoroughly enjoyed, plus returning to an author I haven’t read for quite a few years. It’s fair to say that no one is going to see me this month: I’m not going to look up from reading.

Up and Coming: August

I decided to take a break from blogging during July. While I was still loving it, I was finding that it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay on top of posts. That was ruining the enjoyment of it – it was feeling like a constant race to get through material rather than enjoying it. I’m hoping that one month off has been enough to get just far ahead enough that it stops everything feeling like such hard work!

I start my posts normally freaking out at how time has passed by. This time, however, I’m quite glad: I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been suffering immensely from hayfever over the last few month.

I never normally get it; a few weeks of sniffles and that is it. But it has really got into my sinuses this year, which has led to some pretty horrendous migraines. That makes a day at work staring at a screen fun.

Up and Coming: June

I’m pulling my exhausted self together to write this post because I’m trying to be productive and achieving more during the week.

You can just sense my enthusiasm, can’t you?

Nah, I’m kidding!

I’m still on a blogging buzz at the moment and am making the most of it while I can. That’s why I’m pushing myself.

I might have also promised myself a writing day on Sunday if I get everything else achieved during the week and my target at the moment is three posts a week. It works as good motivation.

So here we go!

Up and Coming: May

I’m not going to jink it by saying I’m more on top of things but…I’m more of top of things! Yay! For this month, at least.

I suddenly reached a point where I got about six posts done in a week and it broke the back of it. I used to have an organisation system where I wouldn’t even plan the following month’s posts until a certain date. Right now, however, I’m making the most of the mood and keeping ahead of myself while I can.

I won’t be thinking like this by the end of the month, I can promise that.