Working full-time has its ups and downs. As hard as I try, I’m not very good at self-care during the week.
By the time it gets to a Friday night, my skin feels dry, it looks drained and look as exhausted as I feel.
Lately, I’ve been using the weekends as a pick-me-up. My target is to start the week physically feeling better than I ended it.
Last week, I mentioned some of the positive things I achieved last year and some goals that I plan to set for this year. I’ve had enough of putting myself down and want to think positively – although I know it’s easier said than done. But writing this post has made me realise that, regardless of how I felt at any given time, 2017 was a positive year for me.
I touched upon some achievements in regards to what I had managed to get read and reviewed last year. I had to have a couple of breaks from blogging because other commitments were making it impossible to commit the time that I wanted. But stepping back reminded me how much I loved it and how much I was missing it. It gave me the drive to push myself in regards to content, hence doing the Twelve Days of Christmas.
But when I think back to last year, I managed to accomplish so much more than just being pleased with how the blog was going.
I’m going to change these `Up and Coming` posts. It feels silly getting excited about the books and films that I’m going to dedicate an entire post getting excited about later on.
I might switch it to a monthly wrap-up at the end of the month instead, focusing on which was my favourite and anything else I have watched/read. Then at least I’m not spending a post saying “I want to read this book” with no reason why.
I probably won’t do that until the New Year, though. That’s because my break from blogging has allowed me to get ahead with reading so I’m currently scheduling reviews for December at the moment. If I try and sum up what I have read this month, that will just be repeated in a couple of months’ time.
What can I spend this month talking about then?
Tuesday 13th October 2015 was a special day for me. I graduated! I already knew my grades and had technically finished, but it was the day of the ceremony. Having dropped out of my first university, it was a day I didn’t think I would have the chance to experience. Or, for that matter, be able to give to my parents to experience either.
What a day it was.
This month has changed things for me. There is no more university. The official deadline was on the 12th May. Typical me; I had handed everything in a few days early. I had to actually – I had an appointment at home on the 11th. But it’s over. Finished. That chapter of my life is now closed and I guess it means I have fulfilled one of my New Year’s resolutions as one was to graduate. By the end of this week, I will know what my grade is as well. It’s terrifying! In all honesty, I can’t wait until this week is over because I feel like I’m walking on egg-shells a little at the moment.
Last month, I believed my writing was increasing. That no longer seems to be the case. It’s hard to judge. What was a lot then while dealing with university is not much now I have free time. I guess it is ticking along. I’m focusing more on my editing in terms of fanfictions to improve my writing style and continue to develop it in a space where I can receive feedback. I have also had a few novel sessions. But inspiration is lacking at the moment and unless things pick up, I certainly can’t claim to be a writer the way I wanted to. The only thing that has really gone according to plan is I have had a few blogging sessions since being home so things are running smoothly on here.
What else do I have on my list of resolutions? Health? I think it is getting there. The headaches that have been plaguing me all year are finally being investigated. Now that I am home, I’m making the point of eating healthily. I’m not sleeping brilliantly but again, I think that is waiting for results and the apprehension for that. Things are getting there. I need to get myself into a routine to keep it that way though.
There isn’t much to report for this month. It was such a huge deal to finish university. Then I had a week in France as a final uni trip. Even though I have been done for a few weeks, I’m still trying to recover from uni and sort out what I am doing with my life. I am completely redecorating my room at home with new furniture etc, so that is going to be good for a new start.
I guess this has been a transition month. The big changes I anticipated haven’t hit me yet. Intense job hunting starts this week as once I know what my grade is actually going to be, it makes applying a lot easier. I just have everything crossed something comes up soon in order to keep myself positive. I know how I get when things are in limbo and I’m scared all the progress I have made this year so far will be lost.
There, that is my confession for this month. How is everyone else?
A Rambling Reviewer 