2023 Intentions

It is pretty normal for folks to think about making "goals" when a new year starts, but a few years ago a friend mentioned "intentions" and I think I like this term better.  Life just gets in the way sometimes and we can't always accomplish what we set out to accomplish.  I suppose I could just say that I am not setting any goals, but the new year seems a reasonable time to take a step back and evaluate how one's like is progressing.  Where do I see a need for changes?  Where can I make some positive steps forward?

So here it goes -- my intentions for 2023:

(1) Write in this blog more often.  I think I am happier when I am writing.  When I finished my dissertation and PhD a few years ago, I felt like I crawled across the finish line battered and bruised.  I was so good at writing and researching before then but .... I just stopped.  I need to change that.  So this blog is being revived so I can "write" again (even if no one reads it!).

(2)  Back to triathlons.  I just started doing short indoor triathlons as part of an indoor series I used to do when I first starting getting into triathlons.  A combination of finishing that darn PhD, a torn meniscus in my right knee, and COVID kept me from doing any events for the last 3+ years.  But instead of doing events because I wanted to be with my friends who did them and I didn't want to let them down (not that they ever said that), I will focus on events that I want to do.  So for now that means finishing this indoor series (9 more events) and then completing the Rookies and Rockstars event on Sunday May 7th. 

(3)  Sewing what I want to sew.  Since I learned how to sew a few years ago (and figured out I had a knack for it!) I have done a lot of projects for folks and I have had a hard time saying no.  And I have spent lots of money for a project someone wants and then say, "No, no, you don't have to give me any money" because I am afraid that my work is not worth anything.  I need to get over that.

(4)  Be in the moment on vacation.  Jim and I have been working hard on planning a holiday to Ireland from June 7-28.  For a lot of that time, we will be travelling with good friends and the last week Jim and I will be in northwestern Ireland on our own.  Here is a map that shows all the places we are going:

I want to enjoy every moment of this trip and immerse myself in our friends, the culture, and lots of yummy food and beverages!

(5)  Learn more about good teaching.  I think my number one goal all of the time is to be the best I can be at teaching composition.  Luckily, I (and some colleagues!) are off to 4C's and TYCA (two professional conferences) in Chicago in February and I am even doing a short presentation on "ungrading," a technique I have used with my writing courses for the last 8 years or so.  I want to embrace the opportunities at these conferences and figure out how to connect with my students more.

(6)  Be the best friend that I can be to the people around me.  I value my friendships and I have been so lucky to know so many awesome people.  Sometimes when I am stressed or overwhelmed, though, I want to hide from these folks and just wallow in my own self-pity by myself.  But that never helps in the end.  

(7)  Read more.  I am relieved that I completed the reading challenge on GoodReads but … I want to read more.  So I upped my goal to "30" this year and will try to read more genres and titles by authors I haven't read before.

(8)  Give myself some grace.  And on that note in respect to items 1-7, I need to think more about giving myself a break when things don't always work out the way that I would like them to.  Period.