Today’s the last day of 2017 and, like 99,9% of the population, I will ask you and myself, where has this year gone?!
Usually, I’m not one to make too many resolutions, but I kind of want to try. I like lists, I like having goals, I like having something to aim for ; even if I am terribly scared of pushing myself too hard and failing. BUT I can try. So I MADE A LIST.
Blogging resolutions ?
Last year, I did a little tag called “This Time Next Year“. In this tag, I wrote this very sentence :
This time next year, I still want to feel part of the community and love what I do on here.
I have to say that it’s one of the first time I made a resolution and made it happen. I still love what I am doing on here, even if I had some moments where I just wanted to SCREAM. I LOVE BLOGGING and I am still here three years later. So, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
In 2018, here is what I want to do, blogging-wise (or try to do):
- I want to give more. I haven’t hosted too many giveaways and am far from being rich and able to afford giveaways all the time. That being said, with all the things happening to the international community of book bloggers lately (which I am part of), access to books always being hard for some people and so on… I would love to be able to give more. I am thinking of trying to host more giveaways ; or maybe set up a Ko-Fi to help me afford to do more giveaways and give back to the community. I don’t know. Would anyone be up for it?
- This would also be the ideal occasion to showcast the books I fell in love with a bit more. I know I am talking about them with reviews, on my twitter account and on some other posts as well ; but I want to try and do more. Maybe with other kind of posts, master lists of books in a genre, recommendations or special features with authors. I do not know, but I am thinking about it.
- If you know me a little bit, you know I am not one to really do challenges of any sort. That being said, I found out that, if there is ONE THING I love to do, it’s to write discussion posts, whether they are about books or blogging, and chat about you all about these things. SO I will be joining the Discussion Challenge hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight and aim for the highest goal. I AM HERE TO CHAT, people.
On a more personal level, when it comes to blogging, I want:
- To take better care of myself and just relax about blogging. I know I am a hardcore blogger. I know I am sometimes doing too much, too hard and get too close to burn-outs a lot. I LOVE blogging so much, but it shouldn’t be something that consumes me. I love blog-hopping and giving back, but sometimes it really gets overwhelming and I realized that I just can’t do it all. It’s physically impossible and it doesn’t make me feel good about blogging overall. I’m sorry if I take steps back, at times. I just need to take care of myself a bit more.
- DO YOUR OWN THING has to be my number one reminder in 2018. I am not the most confident person in life and when it comes to blogging, these insecurities overwhelm me, at times. I need to be more confident about it all, or at least try, knowing that I can do amazing things. That I did accomplish a lot in three years already. Maybe not so much compared to book bloggers of not only one year, but I need to stop the comparison game and just be. Do my own thing.
- JUST RELAX ABOUT BLOGGING OKAY?
Reading resolutions ?
This time next year, I want to have read as many GREAT books as I read this year.
I made it. I had a pretty incredible reading year and it makes me SO HAPPY. I have all of you to thank for the incredible recommendations. In 2018, I want to:
- Read 65 books. 60 books was my Goodreads Challenge this year as well, and I ended up reading over 72 books. I am currently reading my 73rd book as I am typing this. Why not aim for 70 next year, then? I don’t know, I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself?!
- Read diverse and #ownvoices books. That’s an obvious thing ; there are so many incredible books out there now and showcasting all the diversity we have in our world. I read tons of great and diverse books this year and I want to go on in that very same direction.
- DO NOT LET THE HYPE INFLUENCE ME. Easier said than done in a community where everyone just shoves books down each other’s throat, right?! But… I can do this. I can listen, but not give in when I don’t feel that interested in the book. Or I can try…. haha.
- Read books from 2017 and before! GUYS, I am DOING A READING CHALLENGE. I know. Who am I?! I have decided a couple days ago to join the #BeatTheBacklist challenge. I don’t usually love challenges, since they are strict on what / when you should read, I never have the books at hand and… too much pressure. Here, all I have to do is read books from 2017 and before. I can pick the books I want. Let’s face it: when we are blogging, it is SO hard to look at new releases and forget the rest….but me….
- My goal for this challenge is to read 20 books – a small goal I hope to make. I am TEAM NOVEL KNIGHTS, by the way! Let me know if you’re participating and your team!
Writing resolutions ?
This time next year, I will have FINISHED my novel.(yeah. one can hope.)
I didn’t expect this one to happen, but… it did. I didn’t really finish my novel, it still needs editing, but… I finished a draft and I guess that’s okay? In 2018, I want to:
- FINALLY open that damn Word document again and edit my WIP. YES I CAN DO THIS.
- Start writing another story. I have some ideas in my mind and even beginnings of outlines and ideas somewhere on my computer.
- Write on a regular basis again. I did write every single week when I was working on my WIP, but haven’t written a single word since I finished it. It’s been four months and I feel REALLY BAD. I want to write on a regular basis again, weekly, do something writing-related.
- Maybe talk more about writing on the blog. With my journey, struggles, aesthetics and so on.
And lastly… here is one resolution I made last year.
This time next year, I’ll figure out whatever it is that I really want to do (or whatever, just insert happiness somewhere in this. that’s all).
This is still a work in progress, I guess. I don’t want to make personal resolutions for next year, because… that, I really can’t handle. I’ll just say that, in 2018, I want to TRAVEL a lot (as much as I can), LOVE a lot and be thankful for the people around me. And just live the best I can.
What do you think of my resolutions? Do you have any blogging, reading, writing or personal resolutions for the new year?
Are you doing any reading or blogging challenges in the new year? Any WIPs you want to finish? Let me know everything in comments!
I know it’s the 31st, but I won’t post tomorrow and here’s my time to wish you all a VERY happy new year, filled with happiness, love and obviously, BOOKS! Sending you all the love ✨?
In case you missed it, I am still only half-there when it comes to blogging, blog-hopping and commenting back. Will be back on the 4th of January! I miss and love you all! x
Holly says
Congrats on achieving so many of your resolutions!! The discussion challenge you mentioned sounds really fun– I might have to join in! 🙂 Happy New Year!!! <3
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Holly! <3 It'd be a lot of fun if you joined! 🙂
Happy new year to you too!! <3 <3
Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books says
These are great resolution! I really want to work on not letting hype influence me because a lot of the time I end up disappointed! That’s a good one!
Marie says
Same here – well, I’m pretty lucky sometimes, when I pick up books, but I want to avoid disappointment as much as I can, haha 🙂
thank you so much!! <3 <3
Sophie Li says
Hello Marie!! <3
I love that you looked back to your goals were last year to see how far you've come! Congrats on reading so many books and finishing your WIP (I can't say that enough! It's a big accomplishment!) That is great that you've joined a blogging challenge and a reading challenge this year!
I haven't done any reading challenges yet (for the same reason that you mentioned – I don't want them to keep me from reading the books that I want?!) However I might do one if the right one swings by 🙂
That's awesome that you have ideas for a new WIP, and YES I believe you can edit your previous novel by the end of 2018!! Looking forward to more writing updates <3
Have a happy 2018! Take care and continue to do your own thing 🙂
Marie says
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Sophie! <3 <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words! I get it about the reading challenges, I thought about it for a long, LONG time before joining. I'm not doing anything with pre-determined TBRs or something, so I am hoping it will go well 🙂
Thank you! I hope you'll have an incredible 2018 <3 <3
Sophie Li says
Oh I see! Good luck on these challenges <3 🙂
Caro @ bookcheshirecat says
I immensly liked the idea of your “This time next year” post! ?
I’m maybe joining one official 2018 Reading Challenge (not including Goodreads), but I’m very excited to see so many people join the Discussion Challenge. I can sure look forward to all the amazing posts I will get to read ?
I’m aiming to read 65 books as well ? I did read a very good amount of books in 2017, but I too don’t want to set a high goal and then get crushed by the pressure of it 😮
I would also love to see more writing posts on your blog, may 2018 be the year we finish all our projects ?
Marie says
It was a really fun post – you should do it sometime 😀
I am also really excited to see all of the discussion posots all around the blogosphere. They are my favorites to read 😀
Oh thank you so, SO much, Caro! YES, let’s hope we will finish all of our projects in 2018 😀 Happy new year! and thank you so, so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
Caro @ bookcheshirecat says
I definitely need to do it next year 😀 I’m not too good at writing those posts myself, but reading them sure is going to be a lot of fun 🙂
Here’s to writing everything we want to ? 😀 Happy new year! 🙂 ???
Marie says
Yes you do! I’m sure you will have a lot of fun writing this kind of post at the end of the year, too 🙂 <3
Thank you so much!! Happy new year to you too <3
Caro @ bookcheshirecat says
I’m sure of that as well, I love writing all the ‘end of the year’ posts, they are lots of fun ?
?
vanessawolfe says
I have similar reading resolutions. I’m trying to read books I own from 2017 and before, especially series. I’m trying to avoid reading too many debut books except for ownvoices books. I’m also trying to avoid the “hype” train. My goal is not to not read a single book a popular BookTubers recommends. Just because they do get sponsorships and incentive to rate the book 4-5 stars.
Marie says
Yay, we can encourage each other, then, that’s so great <3 <3
I agree with you – it's so easy to just buy a book because everyone is talking about it. It's important to try and remember what we love and REALLY want to read, regardless of the hype 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 Happy new year and best of luck for all of your resolutions 😀
deborahkehoe says
Some of those sound totally doable! Happy New Year!
Marie says
Let’s hope I can make all of these happen, haha 🙂 thank you so much, Deborah! Happy new year to you too! <3 <3
Ilsa @ A Whisper Of Ink says
HONESTLY, for me? It dosen’t even FEEL like 2017 is over? It just feels like everyone is panicking for no reason. And ahh Marie you already contribute enough to this communtiy with your sweet personality!! BUT YES I AM EXCITE FOR GIVEAWAYS hahah1 I’m thinking of hosting a giveaway in 2018 too! I LOVE your discussion posts! They’re SO thought provoking and usually talk about things that are on my mind but have no idea how to expresss my thoughts on. I’m excited for more of them!
And yes! You should definitely take care of yourself and de-stress about blogging. Your always on top of commenting and writing quality content which is OBVIOUSLY FABULOUS but make sure you don’t work yourself out too much.
Reading diverse books is also a goal for me! I think only 40% of my reads this year were diverse and I DEFINITELY need to change that. I want to edit my WIP too so good luck! If you ever need beta readers, you know who to call…Or in this case, message lol.
HAPPY NEW YEARS (eve)!!!!
Marie says
HAPPY NEW YEAR, ILSA and thank you SO MUCH for your sweet comment, you’re the best!! <3 <3 <3
Discussions are my favorite to write, really, I hope I will still have tons of ideas in 2018 to be able to write all of them, haha 🙂
I know I should, yet here I am, always and forever, haha. I love blogging, but I need to CHILL. Here's to hoping I can do that, haha 😛
thank you!! I'll make sure to think of you whenever I am ready to share my WIP 😀
existingonpaper says
This is amazing! I hope you have a splendid new year and achieve everything you want!
Marie says
Thank you so, so much! Happy new year to you too! 🙂
Mikaela @ The Well-Thumbed Reader says
Aw, these are such great resolutions! I think my big ones are focusing on blogging and reading, and I guess I’ll shove life stuff in there because before I know it, I’ll be requesting to get into colleges this year most likely, so it’s all very nerve-wracking, but I’m prepared to have at least find a balance with it all??? Let’s hope I can!
I think I mainly just want to be pretty consistent with my blog and the posts I write and I’m working hard on reading less new releases, more backlist books or books I’ve been wanting to read for a while now, but keep putting off. I’m determined to try to keep up this year and read a lot since I failed on reading in 2017. >_<
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Mikaela! <3 I am sure you will be able to find some balance, it's always hard at first, but once you find your right rhythm, it's ALL good 😀
Best of luck for all of your goals! There are so many backlist books we should give more love to, I agree <3 Here's to hoping we manage to do that! 🙂
Angela says
I’m doing Beat the Backlist, too! I’m Team Book Bards! I love that you’re setting goals but not putting too much pressure on yourself. Blogging is supposed to be fun!!
Marie says
I agree! I like having goals, but… I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. That would end up driving me crazy, for sure, haha. Thank you, Angela! and happy new year!! 🙂
Jess (beaucoupbooks) says
These are some amazing resolutions! Happy New Year 😀
Marie says
Thank you so much, Jess!! Happy new year to you too 🙂
Kyra says
Ahh Marie, these are such great resolutions; I wish you all the luck with them!
I’m going to participate in the discussion challenge – IT LOOKS SO FUN. I’m also considering doing the Beat the Backlist challenge, as there are so many “older” books that I want to read!
I also need to write more. I haven’t written in a MONTH. ???♀️
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MARIE!!!?
Marie says
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Kyra!! All the best wishes for 2018, happiness, love and tons of books!?
YAY, we are doing the same challenges, we can support each other, then. I can’t wait to read all of your discussions.
And… don’t you worry, I haven’t written a thing in over 4 months…. you’re not alone haha.
Thank you so much!! xx
lostartofreadingblog says
That’s a great list, I think my only reading resolution I will have next year is read whatever I want and cut back drastically on accepting books for review. I don’t think it is helping with my slumps.
Marie says
Oh I understand. It is so good to remember that we need to read what we love, and focus on that. We shouldn’t force ourselves to read anything we are not too interested in 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! xx
Fadwa @ Word Wonders says
Happy new year ??
I relate to the “being a hardcore blogger” part because I’d sometimes be exhausted and still get myself to write a blog post because i want to put content out there. It doesn’t feel like work but i feel like i pressure myself way too much and i wanna try to work on that.
I’m not doing the official challenge but one of my main goals this year is to focus on backlist books and showcase as many of them as i can because 1/ my ebook tbr is ridiculous and 2/ i often feel like some are forgotten.
I hope 2018 brings you a lot of joy and that you get to achieve all your goals and more ?
Marie says
Happy new year my twinnie!? Wishing you all the best for 2018?
I completely understand. Doing anything blogging-related doesn’t feel like work for me, either, but there still is some kind of pressure to do something, and… that’s not good. We should try and be more relaxed about this whole thing in 2018 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment??
inspirationpie says
Awesome goals, Marie. Congratulations on finishing the draft on your novel! I’m in the same place, my goal will be to finish editing. AND to be more consistent with blogging. It’s hard! I am insecure too, and I question myself all the time. Keep up the good work, Marie…your blog is awesome and even though I don’t always comment, I always enjoy your posts 🙂
Jo-Ann
Marie says
Oh thank you so much for your sweet words, Jo-Ann! They mean the world to me <3
Best of luck for editing this year – if you have any tips to share, haha, I'll take all of them 😛
It's so hard not to question everything we do while blogging… but you are doing great, you are doing YOU, always remember that <3 <3
inspirationpie says
Thank you Marie! You are so kind to say that! <3 I don't have many tips for editing, I'm pretty much winging it LOL I did join ROW80, you update your writing goals and achievements on Sundays and Wednesday and basically encourage one another. I figured it will help keep me accountable and on track. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out Round Of Words 80 Days
Marie says
You’re so welcome <3 <3
Oh that's a great idea – will have to check out this website, thank you! 🙂
inspirationpie says
You’re very welcome!
Liam's Library says
Happy New Year Marie!! <3
That's seriously amazing that you managed to finish your novel this year. Your hard work paid off and I'm so happy for you 🙂
I love that your goals centre around just being happy with what you're doing, that's something that I could really take on board. Best of luck with the two challenges you're doing. I also want to write more discussion posts (I find them so interesting to read) and read books from years past that I always miss out on (because I can't keep up with all the amazing releases every year).
I can't wait to see what you do in 2018!! xx
Marie says
Thank you, Liam! Happy new year to you too!! <3 <3
Oh thank you so much – now off to edit the beast, I am so scared to, but… I guess finishing a first draft is already an accomplishment 🙂
Thank you so much again! Best of luck for all of your resolutions, Liam! 🙂
Aris @ awkwardaris says
happy 2018!! hopefully we’ll all fulfill our resolutions 😀
Beat the Backlist sounds really cool! It’s really hard for me to get new releases since most books have to be imported from the US and they get hella expensive :/ I might sign up for it, too! 🙂
good luck on all your goals!!! <3
Marie says
Happy new year to you, Aris, and thank you so much for your sweet comment! 😀
It is a great challenge, I love the fact that you can choose the books you want to read and set your own goal. Hope you will sign up 😀
Dina says
Happy New Year, Marie!
I hope you get to do all the traveling you dream of in 2018. You are joining some cool challenges for your blog. Personally, I want to also jump in discussions more, but I am still kind of unsure of how I’d handle disagreements in comments and such. Still, it is a rewarding experience, this exchange of ideas, preferences, and feelings. You never know what you’ll learn from others along the way. I don’t know how blog hopping works, and I am not too good at commenting because *awkward dance* <—I get anxious about saying the right thing and not offending anyone. I'm working on it.
Marie says
Happy new year to you, Dina! 🙂
Really, don’t be afraid. It’s easier said than done, but the community is really friendly overall, exchanging ideas and opinions is very fulfilling as well, yo should try it out 🙂
I was so nervous about blog-hopping and commenting at first, too, then I found out that people are SO SWEET and they just love chatting. Don’t be afraid to leave a sweet word if you appreciated a post, it makes a bloggers’ day, really. And… we are all kind of awkward, haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Such great and reach goals Marie!! I personally LOVE resolutions even if I don’t achieve them perfectly because I enjoy having a goal and something to work toward. I’m going to try the discussion challenge too! I think it’s a really fun challenge and I meant to take part near the end of 2017 when I learned about it but I totally forgot, lol. It’s so great you’ve been around for 3 years and I know that you must be having to adjust some due to stresses and such but I hope you become a real fixture in the book blogging world! <3
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Dani! So happy you are doing the discussion challenge as well, it will be so much fun. I can’t wait to read everyone’s discussion posts 🙂
Ahah, well, becoming a real fixture, that would be a dream <3 Thank you!! <3
May @ Forever and Everly says
Aaahhh, Marie!!! I’m sure you’ll reach ALL of these goals by the time 2019 (?!??!) comes around. <3 I definitely agree with wanting to give back to the community! I'd love to host at least one giveaway a year to show my thanks towards everyone, but I just don't have enough money. ? And SAMEEEE with the whole relax with blogging thing!! I always get stressed over it and spend so much time on it, and this year, I want it to be waaaay more relaxed. (Tho YOU do WAY too much blog-hopping. I see you everywhere??? Do you manipulate time or something???)
And YAAY for editing your WIP & talking more about your writing journey! You KNOW I love to hear all about your writing. <3 I'm 1000% confident you'll find the motivation to open up your document & start editing.
Hope you have an amazing 2018!!
Marie says
Don’t talk about 2019, I’m not used to writing 2017. I am still stuck in like, 2010 hahahaha. And don’t you dare worrying about giveaways and money, you are already giving so much just by being here with your incredible blogging voice and support to everyone <3 <3
I honestly don't know. I'm a tad obsessed about everyone and when I obsess about something, I just.. well, maybe I manipulate time, I don't know. I am crazy, I need to chill haha. I LOVE commenting and giving back to people, but it's exhausting, too. I want to be more relaxed.
Thank you so, SO MUCH <3 <3 <3
Rasya says
Happy New Year, Marie! Hope you’ll have a great year too in 2018!
And I hope that you wouldn’t stress too much on blogging; blog hopping, commenting (I feel like I saw you everywhere lol) I’m sure everyone would understand.
Marie says
Aww thank you, happy new year to you too!! 🙂
Haha, I am a bit crazy. I hope I will learn to chill out a little bit in 2018 🙂 Thank you! xx
Sushmita Fervently Curious says
Hi!
I am not sure if you remember me anymore. :p
Congratulations on achieving so many of your goals. I have a lot of goals too, but I am giving myself more time to accomplish them. I am doing the 101 in 1001 days challenge. Some of them are goals I hope to conquer this year, some are a little more long-term.
I am planning to read 52 books this year. I have been in a reading slump for 1.5 years and don’t want to overwhelm myself by giving myself too high a number. I will increase the number if I can. I hope I can because I have so much catching up to do!
I am also participating in Beat The Backlist challenge and we are both on the same team. Yaay!
Happy New Year! I hope you have a great year. <3
Marie says
AHHHH HELLO, of course I remember you!! It’s been so long, how have you been? I hope everything has been well for you <3 A very happy new year to you, wishing you all the best, happiness and love <3
I think it's so great not to aim too high, it helps, we shouldn't put too much pressure on ourselves with these kind of goals 🙂 Best of luck for the reading challenge and YAY! It's so cool we are in the same team for BTB. will be a lot of fun 🙂
Sushmita Fervently Curious says
Yes, it’s been so very long! I am doing great, thank you. How are you?
I have been doing a lot of moving. I am almost done with my Masters too which is why I think I started blogging again. Also because I missed the community.
I am trying not to pressure myself too much. Though I don’t know how successful I will be :p
Wish you the best for your reading challenge too! I am super excited that we are both on the same team! It will be fun, for sure.
Marie says
Oh I’m so happy to hear it, I missed seeing you around! I hope you will have fun again blogging and that we will get to chat more often 🙂 did you enjoy your Masters? 🙂
Thank you!! Yes, it will be a lot of fun 🙂
thecursedbooks says
Whenever you use a LOTR gif, my fangirl side gets a little bigger, lol (totally unrelated to the post, but I had to mention it). Happy New Year again, Marie!! Hope you have a great one and that all those resolutions come true! Though I’m not sure how you can give more to this community, you’re already giving so much through your comments and support for the new bloggers, you’re a wonder!! <3 I hope everything comes true when it comes to your WIPs, I'm sure you can edit it! <3 <3
Marie says
Haha, you’re welcome, I LOVE LOTR and really don’t use GIFs of these movies enough. They deserve all the love <3
Aww you are way too sweet, thank you so much, I am doing my best <3 <3 Thank you so much <3
Kat Impossible says
Marie, those are absolutely great plans and resolutions. You should definitely take care of yourself first and foremost, it’s the most important thing. None of us want you to burn out or start feeling too anxious about blogging, it would be a shame! Love you and hope everything turns out the way you want it to in 2018 <3 <3 <3
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, Kat. I will do my best ahah, you know me, I am an overachiever haha 😛
Thank you, I hope you will have an incredible 2018 as well <3 <3 <3
Anna @ Read and Repeat says
Oo I just decided to do the discussion challenge as well! I love reading discussion posts on other people’s blogs…but I don’t think I’ve ever written one…(?!) so hopefully this challenge will change that.
Marie says
Oh yay that’s SO great! I can’t wait to read all of your discussion posts 🙂
Thank you for your sweet comment, Anna 🙂
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
I love how you’ve looked back at your last years resolutions Marie, and I think it’s great how many you were able to say you’d achieved as well. I’m normally terrible at keeping and setting New Years resolutions but maybe this year will be my year! 😀
Good luck for your goals this year as well. I feel like not letting the hype influence me should definitely be one of mine because I am always swept away by hype, but I know myself and I know that will be one I can’t keep. And very good luck with your WIP goals too. Now it’s January I need to start re-planning and re-researching my WIP so gotta get on that sooner rather than later or I’ll be breaking one of my resolutions on January 1st. 🙂
Great post, and I hope you have a brilliant 2018! 😀 <3
Marie says
Thank you so much, Beth! It is so hard to stay away from the hype, but… sometimes, it’s better not to listen to it too much, otherwise we just end up being disappointed.
Thank you!! Hope you’ll have an amazing year as well <3
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
That’s all right, and yeah while most of the books I pick up have lived up to the hype there are always a few where I’m left disappointed.
Thanks Marie! 😀 <3
Lenna says
These are all such great goals! I wish you the best with them all, and happy happy new year! ?
Marie says
Thank you so much, Lenna!! A happy happy new year to you too! <3 <3
Elizabeth says
Woah! You accomplished so much! Congrats!
Happy New Year!
I’m going to try and read between 75 to 100 books in 2018. I read 50+ in 2017, so we’ll see what happens this year!
Marie says
Happy new year, Elizabeth!! 😀
Oh wow, that is such a great goal, best of luck! I hope you will read amazing books 🙂
Brynn Sauer says
Great post! I’d love to ask… do you have any tips for growing your blog? Or do you have any posts where you’d talk about this? Let me know if you do 🙂 Thank you and Happy New Year!
Marie says
Thank you, Brynn 🙂 I have a category on my blog where I talk about book blogging and give out some tips to grow your blog, comment and so on. You can check it out here: https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/category/book-blogging/ 🙂
Brynn Sauer says
Thank you so much!
Marie says
You’re welcome! 🙂
theorangutanlibrarian says
Yay well done on accomplishing your goal! What lovely goals!!
I do get what you mean about it being overwhelming- do take time for yourself and don’t worry too much about everything. And definitely do your own thing!
Your reading goals are great too- I definitely agree about not letting hype get to you.
And yes YOU CAN DO IT- you can totally edit your WIP 🙂 And absolutely talk more about your writing on here!! I look forward to reading your posts!
Wonderful post!
Marie says
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words! <3 <3 I really need to learn to chill every once in a while, haha 😛
theorangutanlibrarian says
You’re welcome!! <3 <3 hehehe totally get that 😉
Valerie says
HAPPY NEW YEAR MARIE. AND THESE ARE ALL WONDERFUL RESOLUTIONS!!! As long as you have fun with what you do, nothing can go wrong 😀
Wow I read 66 books in 2017, pretty close to your number in other words we are book twins. Kind of. And yay for joining challenges! I am thinking of challenging myself by reading a series a month, but it might be a bit hard as I may be busy, but I’ll figure it out. And I think setting up a ko-fi is a wonderful idea! And giving back to the community! Don’t feel pressured though if you just find that you can’t do it though!
Here’s to another year of blogging Marie! <3 <3
Marie says
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too, Valerie!! Thank you so, so much <3 <3
YAY! It's so great that we are book twins. I always feel a bit behind whenever I hear so many people reading 100 books in a year. I could never read that much, I think, haha 🙂
Thank you! I really want to, I think I'll do my best to find a way to do so… maybe I will go with the ko-fi thing, thank you so much for the advice 😀
Trang (Bookidote) says
I’VE NEVER FELT RELIEVED TO SEE THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE STRESSING ABOUT BLOGGING LOL I also had to make a big AWW at your first resolution <3 I hope you are here to stay Marie because I'm not letting you go anywhere HAHA <3 Have a great 2018 love!!
Marie says
Hahaha, welcome to the stressed-out club, we can have monthly meetings haha 😛
Thank you so, so much love, have an incredible 2018 as well!! <3 <3
ivefoundwaldo says
I hope you achieve all of your goals! I also can’t wait to see what other amazing books you read so I can keep adding more books to my wish list, lmfaoo! Happy New Year Marie xxx
Melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
Marie says
Oh thank you so much Melina! I hope to keep on making you buy amazing books haha 😛 Happy new year to you too! May all of your dreams come true <3
Ashley says
I don’t really like making resolutions either, because I have a hard time sticking to them. I did make a list of goals I HOPE to accomplish, but not putting too much pressure on myself if I don’t.
Taking steps back from blogging is not a bad thing, especially if you’re close to burn outs. I’m also trying to be more relaxed with blogging, because when it feels like I HAVE to blog then it becomes not as fun anymore and I don’t want to do it. So I think taking steps back for a little bit is good.
Good luck with all of your goals for the year! 😀
Marie says
I understand – it’s so important not to put too much pressure on ourselves and just… try and do our best. There is always too much pressure to do great resolutions and changes, but new year shouldn’t be about that 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Ashley!! xx
Lynn says
Good luck with your goals! I have no doubt you’ll be able to complete many of them!! I would love to see you talk about your writing here ?
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Lynn! I will do my best to talk more about writing 🙂 <3
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions says
Love this post! These are really great goals, Marie! Good luck with your new year resolutions and Happy New Year! 🙂
Marie says
Thank you so, so much Raven! Happy new year to you too 🙂 <3
Pamela Nicole says
Happy new year Marie! I wish you the best on all your goals! You’ve done amazingly and no doubt a powerhouse of a commenter so you deserve to take it easy and do what makes you happy! Stay awesome!
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much Pam, for everything, you are the sweetest <3 <3 Happy new year to you too, wishing you all the best for 2018 <3 <3
Shanti says
I love these resolutions, Marie, and it makes me glad that you’ve managed so well at least in terms of reading and blogging. I really don’t want to be seduced by hype either, I want to read books that are truly meaningful to me. I also want to edit my novels and I hope to write another first draft. Above all else though I want to keep reading, writing band blogging as something which is genuinely meaningful to me. Personally, I want to make some new friends this year and not be afraid to put myself out there because 2017 was a kinda bad year for me on the friendshop front. I hope you have a lovely new year. ( And I know you’ll have lotsss of ideas for the backlist books, but can I suggest The Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper? They’re really excellent historical novels, different in content but similar in time to The Disappearances)
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, Shanti! <3 I hope you will get to read tons of amazing books you love this year. You're so right, it is important to remember to pick up books we really want to read and ones that end up being meaningful to us <3
And yay for friendships! Finding new people to talk to is pretty amazing 🙂
Thank you for the suggestion!! I LOVED the disappearances, might have to check that one out then 🙂
Hope you will have a great new year as well <3
Hana Bilqisthi says
Good luck Marie for your goal 😀 and about giveaway, I love giveaway but I think it is okay if you seldom do it. Your intention is really good but I hope you did not burden yourself in the process 😀
Have a wonderful year Marie 😀
Marie says
Oh thank you so much for your sweet words, Hana <3 I will try to take things easy, haha 🙂 thank you again, I hope you will have a wonderful year as well <3
Hana Bilqisthi says
My pleasure Marie 😀
Andreea P. says
Good luck with all of your resolutions! They are pretty awesome!
I don’t feel courageous enough to join the Discussion Challenge, but I am looking forward to your discussions!
I hope that this year will be a great one for you and that you will relax about blogging (I totally understand you), and that you will get to travel enough and write everything that you want to.
I joined too many challenges this year, couldn’t help it!
PS: Novel Knight here too! And my aim is around 20 books too.
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much for your sweet words! Best of luck for all of your challenges: which onces will you take part in? 🙂
YAY for being a Novel Knight as well! I hope we’ll make it, we can support each other 😀
Andreea P. says
Oh, so many! Besides Beat the Backlist, I am doing the New Release Challenge, Back to the Classics, Audiobook Challenge, Swords & Stars, Finishing the Series and I might casually attempt the POPSUGAR challenge too. I hope I didn’t forget any!
Marie says
WOW. That’s a LOT of challenges, hahaha. I hope you’ll be able to succeed in all (or most) of these 😀
The Petite Book Blogger says
All of these resolutions sound amazing and I’m wishing you the best of luck in accomplishing them ??
Marie says
Oh thank you so much!! <3 <3
Rebecca says
Awesome book-related resolutions! I have kept the same reading schedule for years, but I read so diversely, as dictated by my schedule, that I’ve felt the need to change it up. Except to say that I should re-read my favorites. I’m not a big re-reader. But I’m thinking of changing this!
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Rebecca! 🙂
I’m not a big re-reader either, but… I want to change this as well, there are so many favorites I want to revisit someday 😀
Jackie @ Too Much of a Booknerd says
Good luck with reaching your goals and resolutions! I definitely want to be more relaxed about blogging as well and I need to remind myself that this is just a HOBBY and I shouldn’t stress about going on unannounced hiatuses or apologizing for not being able to blog hop, comment, read review copies and ARCs, etc! Your mental health and whatever needs to be done in your life (ie. school, work) is so much more important than blog no matter how fun it is and sometimes it’s important to take a step back!
I’m also unofficially participating in the Beat the Backlist challenge because I counted my unread physical TBR books and there’s almost a hundred :O but I don’t want to officially sign up because I always pressure myself when doing challengese and I want this to be a fun and lowkey thing!
Marie says
200% agree with you here. It’s something I am always having a hard time with, but I am trying my best to be more relaxed about it. It doesn’t work too well sometimes, but… I’m positive that, at some point, my brain will get it and CALM DOWN haha 😛
A HUNDRED???? What are you doing Jackie, WOW that’s crazy. I hope you will be able to read a lot of these books this year, and YAY for being low-key, it’s good not to pressure ourselves 🙂
Thank youu!! xx
Jess @ JBelkBooks says
Ahh I love this list!! I didn’t even know there was a Discussion Post Challenge so I am definitely hopping on that!! I totally get your resolutions though — I, too, need to learn to RELAX about blogging and give time back to myself xD But I wish you ALL the best this upcoming year and I can’t wait to see more amazing content from you (:
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Jess! YES, here is to a relaxing blogging year, haha. I hope you will do the discussion challenge, it will be a lot of fun and I’d love to read your posts 😀
Zoie says
You’ve achieved so many of your resolutions!! Congrats ? Travel is definitely on my list for things to do more of this year, but I also want to travel with purpose more — I would love to know where I’m going a few months beforehand so I can read books about the place, people, and language so I can feel like a traveler instead of a confused tourist. ? As for blogging and editing your WIP, you should be able to take a break from either of them whenever you feel like it! But I totally get where you’re coming from because I can’t even relax without feeling guilty. My mind is always on working on my blog and book, and whenever I sit down to rest a bit I feel like I shouldn’t be relaxing when there’s so much to do ? I hope we can both find a way to relax without feeling guilty this year. Best of luck with your WIP, blog, and everything else, and I hope 2018 will be a wonderful year for you! ?
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, Zoie! <3 <3
Ahah I get it, and the whole planning thing is my favorite part – well, after travelling and exploring, obviously. It is so much fun to do 😀
This is exactly how I feel – I know I need to relax and take my mind off things for a while, but whenever I do… I always feel a bit guilty. I hope we both manage to relax, yes <3 <3
Thank you so much! I hope you will have an amazing year! <3 <3
Amanda @Cover2CoverMom says
Those are wonderful goals for 2018 Marie! I wish you all the luck in accomplishing them.
I also want to work on not buying so much into hype and not being influenced in what I read… I think this past year I really let the bookish community influence my reading habits a little too much. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely helped me to branch out and read within different genres, BUT I definitely want to be more selective this year.
I don’t really participate in challenges because with my backlog of review books… sometimes when I try to participate in challenges or read too much review books, it tends to give me that “have to read” feeling instead of “want to read.” So other than the Goodreads challenge (which I set my goal to 100 books) I shy away from specific reading challenges.
Marie says
Thank you so much, Amanda! 🙂
I understand your feeling. Ever since I started blogging, my reading habits have changed and I found myself picking up books just “because everyone else has”. I really want to try and be more selective as well, try and really THINK about what I want to read and not let the others influence me too much 🙂
I understand your thoughts on challenges. I am only doing the Backlist one, because it is a very… flexible one, I’d say? You can pick your own goal and the books you want to read. I couldn’t do it with something really strict, it would totally give me the “have to” feeling and throw me straight into a slump haha 🙂
Thank you so much, Amanda!! <3 <3
Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks says
Hey, where have you been though? We’re kind of missing you in all the groups! ?
A lot of your resolutions sound like mine, which is cool 🙂 you have pledged more books though! I’m totally taking it easy. And I agree about the blog hopping. When you start getting more comments on your own blog, it’s already something of a challenge to answer them all! Much less visit people back. I don’t know how some of the more popular bloggers manage xD
Anyway. Wishing you a great 2018 with all your goals working out for you. And come hang out with us from time to time! 🙂
Marie says
Yay, that’s so great, we can support each other this way 🙂
It is really crazy to manage it all. It takes…. well, hours and hours to do it all. There’s a reason we love it, though, but I think we need to relax and I hope to take things easier this year. So far… nothing has changed and I am losing my mind butttttttt… I’m going to do this hahhaa. 😛
Thank you so much, Evelina 🙂 And like I said, I will try my best to integrate the group. 🙂
bookishandawesome says
Happy New Year, Marie! And congratulations on keeping your 2017 resolutions! I know it’s a struggle sometimes (also read: most of the time), so I’m sending you your virtual gold star and cookies! Really, I just want to thank you! For being one of the bookworms/bloggers I know I can always have a conversation with. Here’s to a 2018 filled with love, laughter, and beautiful moments, cheers! <3
PS. Good luck on your goals, but especially on writing! 🙂
Marie says
Happy New Year, Miel! Thank you for your sweet words, as always, you are the sweetest and I am thrilled that we can always talk books and everything 🙂 <3 I hope you will have an incredible 2018 filled with love, happiness and obviously, tons of great books 🙂 <3
Thank you! Let's hope this will be my writing year ahah 🙂
Olivia-Savannah says
These are all some very good resolutions and I hope you can get round to doing all of them! I am going to be reading backlist and classic books too, and relaxing about blog hopping. I try and always do it but lately my blog gets a lot of comments, so me getting back happens after quite a delay. I’m trying not to stress about that. Taking care of yourself is definitely what is important and needed! I’m going to try and give back more, and I can’t wait to see all your discussions coming up!
Marie says
I’m also trying not to stress out about that too much – it takes time to… well, tell myself NOT to freak out, but I am slowly trying to do so. I don’t want to stop blog hopping, but I know that doing too much might just make me completely burn out 🙂 I hope we will both be able to relax! 🙂
Thank you so, so much! I hope you’ll do well with your resolutions as well! xx
lostartofreadingblog says
Not letting the hype affect me is so hard. I get my hopes up and end up not liking the book.
Marie says
I have the same problem. Well, I used to have it. I’m trying to know myself and what I enjoy better before getting into a new book. Reading the synopsis a whole lot, thinking about it a whole lot before actually buying the book. When I’m still unsure, I try and let time pass, a couple weeks or even months, and see then if I’m still interested. So far, I think I’m doing better 🙂
lostartofreadingblog says
That’s a good idea
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Yay to all resolutions! I can definitely agree with taking time for yourself and relaxing; not overdoing it when it comes to blogging. Honestly, I sometimes feel like I overdo it myself since I post every day but then again.. I have so many posts scheduled already for this month that it also feels.. relaxed? at the same time. It’s weird, but anyway!
I’m also joining the Beat the Backlist Challenge! NOVEL KNIGHTS ALL THE WAY! I’m curious to see how that’ll go and if I won’t forget about it after a while, haha.
Good luck on all your goals! I hope 2018 is the year you really find the happiness you want to insert in your life. 🙂 <3
Marie says
I don’t know how you manage to post every day, you are like, a wizard or something? 😛 I am usually posting three times a week and have a hard time keeping up with everything, hahahaha. give me your magical powers 😛
YAY, novel knights!! I hope we will both manage to do great for this challenge! 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words <3 <3
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Ooh I wish.. Hogwarts.. Now that would be amazing.. [Yup, had to go there, haha.]
I honestly do a lot of prep in advance. Even now I only have to prep my WoW-posts and.. two other posts before my month is completely scheduled? And reading a ridiculous amount also helps since I have reviews three times a week. :’)
Yesss! We’ll just have to poke each other once in a while so we keep doing great!
You’re very, very welcome, Marie! <3
Marie says
I don’t know how you do it??! Out of curiosity, and if you want to share, obviously, but… how long does it take you to write a blog post? 🙂 Seriously, you are the planning queen?!! <3
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Haha. I pretty much write my reviews during my breaks at work and that’s just typing out the random thoughts popping up in my head. Copy/pasting tags and awards in drafts. I have room in my bullet journal for TTT-prep where I sometimes just take some time to think of the theme and jot down the books popping up in my head.
During the weekend I then take time to sort through allll my drafts and edit / finish whenever possible; make lists with things I have yet to figure out or pictures of food I have to take / add.
And before the start of every month I try prepping all the TTT’s and WoW’s coming up as well.
Reading an awful lot helps of course. I can easily read ten books a month so that’s at least two reviews a week if I review everything I read; which I don’t even do because then I’d be scheduling my reviews in March or something..
[I have NO CLUE if this rambling mess makes any sense..]
Marie says
You know, Kathy, I was reading your answer and thinking to myself “wow, that one just knows how to prepare everything and schedule and just take advantage of every little spare time she has”.
THEN I saw you writing that you read TEN books a month and, aerm…. okay. HOW. I feel like you manage to post a whole lot while still reading a whole lot as well, that’s AMAZING. I admire you SO much, you got serious time-management skills 😛
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Haha, it probably sounds way more organized than it really is though. I always feel like I’m all over the place when it comes to preparing my posts and anything blog-related but I guess that only shows when people would actually SEE me freak for half a day, non-stop, because I’m trying to get everything done. And then get distracted by reading instead of preparing.. :’)
I read a lot? And pretty fast as well. I can usually read about 50 pages in 30 minutes – if I stay focused and a certain boyfriend doesn’t distract me every two minutes, that is. Pretty sure the days he has a late shift are the days I read most. :’D
But thank you sooo much! I think I have more of an awesome way of flailing about when it comes to time-management but I’m secretly happy that it doesn’t show, haha. :’)
Marie says
Ahahah, well, you are doing AMAZING, seriously. And… we all freak out every once in a while, I know I do every single time I try and do all the blog posts I need to do hahaha. 😛
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Aaw, thank you! <3
I'm going to start freaking in a bit since I got my drafts up to 20 and I need to clean them out and pretty much.. edit / write five or six reviews? It's been a bad procrastination week.. Obviously.. :')
Marie says
Hahaha, you are crazy. I wrote three blog posts this weekend and it took me A LOT of time, don’t know how you handle all of these reviews ??
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Yesterday I had a moment of “NOPENOPENOPE.” myself. I wanted to clean out my drafts but ended up stinkeyeing all my reviews. Just didn’t feel like it, I guess.. :’) Hoping I’ll get through them tonight or later this week. Boyfriend has the late shift so I should have plenty of time at night. 😀
Marie says
Oh yay, let’s hope you can write ALL the blog posts. If the boyfriend knew you’re looking forward to his late shifts to spend time blogging, haha ??
Kathy @ Books & Munches says
Oh, he knows, haha. It’s pretty much the week I’m anything but useful when it comes to chores because it’s all reading and blogging. ??
Marie says
Well… priorities ??
LairOfBooks says
I loved reading this post Marie & really hope you reach all of your goals in 2018! it has been pretty awesome chatting it up BOOKS with you 🙂 I couldn’t agree more though, sometimes we need to step back. I am totally taking a more relaxed attitude towards reading & blogging in 2018. There will probably be streaks along the year where I’ll go hardcore while other times I’m more chill, and that’s ok too 😉
Keep having fun reading, writing, and blogging <3!
Marie says
Yay for being more relaxed this year! I’m hoping I can do it, so far, ten days in the year, I’ve had no luck haha. But we all need to relax a bit, otherwise we’d go CRAZY haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! <3
Lara @ Words With Lara says
Wahoo! Novel Knights!!! I’m in that team too! (I’m pretty sure).
These are some awesome resolutions! I’m trying to read more diverse and own voice books too and so far that’s going pretty well! I’m so excited for all the reading I’m going to be doing in 2018…!
Marie says
Oh YAY, so happy we’re in the same team!! Hope your challenge is going well so far 😀
I hope you’ll have an amazing reading year as well, Lara! 😀
Aimee (Aimee, Always) says
Ooh, I definitely agree about the giveaways (since I took a 2-year blog hiatus, I would love to give back to the community that welcomed me back so warmly), and chilling about blogging (the blogging burnout I experienced is proof that chill is a MUST).
I’ve also set my reading goal MUCH lower than I know I can take, since yes, pressure = bad. The hype resolution is HARD, and I know I’ll personally fail that one x10000. I hope you can manage, though! 😉
Good luck, Marie! Lovely blog! <3
Marie says
(Out of topic, but I just realized you were the one behind the Deadly Darlings blog a while ago. I was such a HUGE fan of this blog and everything you did here and I’m honored to see you on my comments section?? Thank you so much, Aimee. You are amazing and I’m glad you are back to blogging!!! <3)
It is so hard to just… relax, I know I have the hardest time doing just this, but I will do my best in 2018 ahah 🙂
IT's GREAT that you settled small goals for this year, it's better to aim low and do more than aim high then have too much pressure 🙂
Thank you so, so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment <3 <3
amortalreader1 says
I love all of your resolutions,I probably should have thought of more for mine other than 3 aha! I definitely share the one where we need to just relax and be better with ourselves. I think we put so much pressure onto ourselves with blogging and the fear of letting people down that we’ve lost sight of how this is a hobby and it’s meant to be a fun, amazing hobby. I shall annoy you by reminding you to relax each week after you’ve had long days at work! <3
Marie says
YES PLEASE. If you can remind me every single night to stop it and JUST CHILL, that’d be great ? I agree that sometimes we just lose sight of what this is, a hobby. I just love it so much ahah.
Thank you so much, Hannah!! I hope you’ll do well with your resolutions – did you share them, did I miss them? You have to tell me everything 😛
tea & tiffany says
hi!! I’m new to the book blogging community. I just found your blog, and IM IN LOVE WITH IT ? Your layout is so beautiful, and yes this post 100% !! It’s so nice to see no matter where you’re starting, we all have this passion for reading and are really blogging for ourselves ?
Marie says
Hi, welcome and thank you SO much for your sweet words, this means so much to me!! <3 <3 You are so right, we need to have fun and blog for ourselves, that's what matters the most <3
Thank you! I hope you're having a lot of fun blogging so far! 🙂
Rebecca says
I love your list! I have my resolutions as well. For me, it is to finish at least ONE of the books I’ve started. I need to do this.
It is important to take care of yourself aside from blogging. I can see losing yourself to do something you love so much. I do the same things with reading in general. I have to force myself to get outside sometimes! 🙂
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Rebecca 🙂
You’re so right. I often forget everything and just… it’s always good to take a step back, even with the things we love, to take a breather 🙂
thank you!! xx
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence says
Ahhh my goal with blogging is the same Marie, to relax on everything and all the pressure I put on myself because of it. I love your reading goals as well, hype is hard to get away from. I love that Backlist challenge!
Best of luck with the writing too, I need to get back into my WIP and continue writing it. Hope you’ve had a lovely start to the year!
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Jeann <3 I hope to be able to relax a little bit about it all, that'd be great 🙂
Thank you! I hope you will get back into writing soon as well, I'd love to hear more about your WIP 🙂
areadingcat says
I’m here for the Friends gifs ??? no, but seriously, great post and resolutions! I love that you do this as it encourages anyone to do more and better! And 72 books, ahhh, should be my goal ?? the best 2018 for you!!!??
Marie says
FRIENDS IS THE BEST SHOW, I’m glad we can agree on that 😛 <3
Thank you so, so much, Cat!! I hope you'll manage to reach all of your goals this year as well <3
northernplunder says
i am so behind and havent even thought of my resoluations but im so glad that you got yours!
“This time next year, I still want to feel part of the community and love what I do on here.” im so glad that this is a true thing and i hop eyou still feel like this next yea rtoo
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you to say <3 I think that's the best resolution to have, have fun and hope to still feel part of this community and love it as much as before 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
Aila @ One Way Or An Author says
Haha I love these resolutions (and I’m so late in commenting, lol)! BUT YES, DON’T LET THE HYPE GET TO YOU. That’s the biggest thing I need to be careful of this year. :’))
Marie says
You’re never too late, Aila, don’t you worry! You’re so sweet <3
I will try… it is haaaaaaard, very, very hard to resist, but I will do my best ?
Becky Gutierrez says
These are amazing resolutions! I’m planning to read more books from my bookshelf, write more and visit more amazing blogs like yours! I’m aiming to read 30 books or more this year, I hope I can do it? Loved your post and good luck with your amazing resolutions ?❤️?
Marie says
Aw thank you so, so much for your sweet words, that’s so sweet!! <3 <3
Best of luck for all of your resolutions as well 😀