Christie says Hello to 2014
Resolutions…. New Year’s…. Yea yea yea….
1. Blog More: I need to be better about blogging on a schedule. In my defense, however, I do blog quite a bit, and if Karen needs something, I am the go-to person. But I need to stick to a schedule. (Karen’s note: I think Christie rocks. Hands down.)
2. Take Breaks: I am bad about not taking breaks during my work days, and I need to get into the habit of taking them- walking around the park, closing the door to my office to get away from things, something to actually get away from chaos.
3. Write More: I used to journal a lot, and somehow that fell by the wayside, and I’ve found that my stress levels have grown exponentially. I really need to get back into the habit of taking the time to write- even if it’s just rehashing the day, because once it’s down on paper, it seems that I can deal better.
4. Eat and Exercise Smarter: I need to be better about eating smarter and exercise smarter. I always say I’m going to “start” exercising and I’m going to “start” a diet- but no, I need to adjust the way I do things and make things work into my lifestyle. My work schedule isn’t going to change, so I need to make things work for how it is.
5. Take Vacation Time: I do take my vacation time, but at times it’s not for vacation. It’ll be for doctor’s visits, or for visiting family in other states, or some other thing that is not a break from anything. This coming year, I’m going to take my vacation time for me- a break from everything.
6. Read for the Blog: After a good 10 years on reading/bibliography committees, I will be off one for the 2014 year- so I’ll be able to focus reading on things for the blog, not a specific category.
7. Read for Pleasure: And I’ll be able to read books for me- things that I want to read, and series that I want to catch up on that I’ve fallen behind on.
8. Imagine More: I need to put more imagination into things- my programs, my life, what I want and where I want to be. With taking my vacation time and taking breaks, maybe I can find more sparks to share.
9. Let Go: I need to learn to let things go- I take things personally, and take things way harder than it needs to be, especially when it relates to work or to my personal life. I need to step back, and remember that in a month, or six months, or a year, what will be remembered and what will be really important.
10. Unplug More: I need to take away all of the electronic devices that make life so “easy” (the phone, That Guy’s work laptop, and every other electronic device) and lock them up somewhere every so often so that we can just have a break. No work calls or texts, no Facebook or Twitter updates, no anything.
What are your goals for 2014?
Filed under: 2014
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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I want to write more this year too, so I am setting a goal of at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted writing every day. I'm letting myself work on any project I want during that time though, so journaling or fiction etc. (but it has to be personal writing, not work related). I'm using Karen Kavett's Don't Break the Chain Calendars as motivation ( http://karenkavett.com/blog/2037/dont-break-the-chain-calendar-2014.php )!