There are so many things lately that I feel like I’ve forgotten, or procrastinated, or just plain ignored. It’s time to get back on the right path, and start heading in the right direction.

 

#MondayMusings

 

There are at least three personal areas of my life that I feel I’ve lost my way:

  • Two years ago, I ran a half-marathon. It was painful, it was frustrating, I thought I would die… but it was an awesome experience. I might have been one the last people across that finish line (took a touch over three hours), but I crossed it. And then I stopped running.
    • Since then I’ve run a few times here and there, but not with any kind of regularity. Excuses excuses excuses.
    • But last week I made a new workout schedule. I’ve ran the last two days, and will run at least two more days this week — and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
    • Ultimate goal: Chicago Marathon 2017. (eek)
  • I’ve been a reader my entire life. It’s what defined me when I was a child; but sometime, somewhere, for some reason… I stopped. <GASP> Not completely; I still read from time to time. But I used to devour books; I’d whip through enormous tomes in a week. But for at least the last couple of years, it’s felt more like a chore than the fun that it used to be; I would be interested while I read, but as soon as I put the book down, it took so much to pick it back up again.
    • I added my Classics Club reading list to this blog, and I started a new Goodreads account from scratch. I want to actually read my book list, and I want to figure out some way to hold myself accountable.
    • I have an hour-long commute every day. I am going to stop surfing the web and instead, read the books that are weighing down my bag. I mean, what’s the point in carrying them if I’m just going to ignore them?
    • Ultimate goal: finish my book list (which isn’t just books, it’s also plays and poems, relatively short pieces) by the due date — May 2019.
  • I want to be a writer. I want to write poetry and prose, and I want to share it. I’d love to be able to make a living at it — writing, and editing fiction if the writing isn’t enough. And first things first: I need to get back into practice.
    • There are notebooks filled with ideas. I’ve got books of writing prompts. I’m not short on places to begin, I just needed something to convince me to put pen to paper. Hence this blog.
    • I’ve put together a schedule, posting most days. Primarily there will be random thoughts, creative pieces, and book reviews (following the whole “reading more” goal). If something is ever going to stop being a dream, then I have to put myself out in the world.
    • I also have a list of contests to enter, and I’m going to do my best to submit to as many as possible.
    • Ultimate goal: work, from home, on my own terms (this is one of those really really long-term goals).

So there we are. At one point in my life or another, I’ve identified myself as a runner, a reader, and a writer. And as of right now, I finally consider myself all of those things again.