2018 GOALS

Saturday, January 6, 2018
We're a week into 2018. (well, not quite... BUT CLOSE ENOUGH. :P) How is everyone feeling about this year so far? After taking two months off of editing, I've gotten into the swing again and am having fun with this story. Hopefully that excitement won't wear off. :P

Here's my annual "goals for the year" post! But before I move into the 2018 goals, let's take a quick look back at how my 2017 ambitions went.

[ 2 0 1 7   G O A L S + how they went ]

1. take more pictures.

I'd say this was a success? I posted more on my Instagram and have really enjoyed figuring out how to take and edit pictures so they're pleasing to the eye. (though let's be honest -- I'm still figuring it all that out)

2. write two books.

I ACCOMPLISHED THIS ONE! When I made this goal, I really didn't think I'd be able to make it, but it happened and I couldn't be more excited. *flails*

3. send the sand dragon's song to beta readers.

HAHAH. Ha. Nope. After lots of editing and thought, I decided to put aside my desert duology for now in order to work on other stories. So I'm okay with not meeting this goal.

4. see the epic movies that are coming out.

I'll just leave my favorite movie of the year here... SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING. <3

5. focus on God.

In the beginning of 2017, I planned on memorizing fifty-two verses. Ahem, that failed a couple of weeks into the year. But I did read through the New Testament and do some faith journaling! So overall a half-success. I'm still fully deciding on what to do this year for Bible reading... but I might go through the Old Testament next. We'll see.

6. read 100 books.

This was an epic, giant #FAIL. I only read 60 books, and even that was a challenge. :P

7. find a new show to watch.

In the beginning of the year I finished watching Sherlock Holmes, and later watched Stranger Things with Gabriela! I also started watching Psych with my sister, but the library kept demanding that we return it so we never got very far. :P

8. film more vlogs.

HA! Nope. I only filmed one. :P
[ 2 0 1 8    G O A L S ]
1. track the books i read.
Yes, I realize Goodreads exists (and love using it), but I want to create a separate document with a giant overview -- the genre, a one or two sentence review,  and in general an easier organization method to quickly glance over the stories I devoured of 2018.

2. send where shadows lie to beta readers.
*mumbled screaming* ?!?!!?!?!?

This is a bit of a terrifying concept, but I think I'll be ready by springtime -- probably around April -- to send it to betas. (that's assuming everything goes well and I don't have a sudden plot crisis. :P) As scary as it is (yikesyikesyikes), I'm so pumped because I've never been this passionate about a story before? *shrug* It's a cool feeling.

3. graduate high school!
I have a little less than two months of school before I graduate. *more mumbled screaming* (I feel like I'll be internally screaming my way through 2018. xD) School and I have never been best of friends, so I'm excited to finally part ways. :P

4. find a full time job.
Instead of going the college route like most people, I'm hoping to find a full time job that I enjoy and can get settled in until I'm called elsewhere. I'm unusually excited (and nervous) about the prospect of working.

Right now I only work part time at Starbucks, but there's rarely a day that I dread going to my job?? I'm getting paid to make coffee and talk to people while working with coworkers I enjoy -- how can it become better than that? So I'm praying that I can find a full time job that makes me feel the same way. <3

5. buy a car.
And since I'll (hopefully) be working full time, it won't work for me to use my parent's car any longer. So I'll need to actually buy one! :P There are a lot of big adulting steps I need to take in 2018. (including actually becoming an adult - YIKES.)

6. win nanowrimo.
Do I even have a hint of a story idea I could write? No. Will I have enough time? Probably not. But do I want to keep up my winning streak no matter what? YUP.

So it'll be an interesting NaNoWriMo, but I'm ready for the challenge. xD (thankfully it's ten months away so I have a good amount of time to prepare. phew.)

7. keep up with journaling.
With all of the crazy things happening this year, journaling is a great way for me to unwind and write down what's on my heart. The problem is, is that I have so many different notebooks to keep up with. I consistently use four journals every night. And four others that I use several times a month. #writerproblems

(Yes, I could cut down on journals, but WHERE'S THE FUN IN THAT?)

8. scream over infinity wars !!!!!!!
Words cannot explain how. excited. I. am. for. Infinity. Wars. Every time it crosses my mind I start squealing with anticipation. For preparation of the film, my family and I have been watching all of the Marvel movies in chronological order. I'm writing mini-reviews on Twitter as we watch them!


Boom, eight goals for 2018. I feel like that number is fitting, yeah?

Here's to conquering the next twelve months together! *hands out pizza for motivation* WE CAN DO THIS.

<3,
katie grace
what are some of your goals for 2018?

67 comments :

  1. You did such an awesome job on all your 2017 goals! Oh my gosh, you become an adult in 2018? THAT IS SCARY. You can do it, though! Best of luck and here's to an epic 2018.

    Madi

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    1. YEAH IT'S A LITTLE TERRIFYING AND EXCITING ALL AT THE SAME TIME. o.o

      I hope your 2018 is epic as well, Madi! <3

      Delete
  2. You did so well with your 2017 goals! Good luck with this year, you're gonna kill it, I'm sure :)
    Astrid
    www.astridkaniele.com

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  3. INFINITY WAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!! *shrieks forever*

    Ahem. Sorry.

    You can do this, Katie! These are huge goals, and look challenging, but I think you’re up to the challenge. Go crush 2018. We’re all rooting for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. *SHRIEKS WITH YOU* I CANNOT WAIT. IT'S GOING TO BE SO EPIC.

      I'm rooting for all of you, too! I hope we all have a fabulous year. :D

      Delete
  4. Go Katie! You've done great and you have some great upcoming goals.

    Good luck with this year, you got it ;) ALSO YES TO INFINITY WARS, hopefully I can finish all the marvel movies before it comes out.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. EEEP. I think if you watch one a week you should be good? You have until May. SO PUMPED.

      Delete
  5. Sounds like a great list of goals! You got this!

    Also, as someone who is technically an adult doing semi-adulty things . . . it's not that bad, except that younger people expect you to know what you're doing and sometimes you can fake it but sometimes you're like HAHAHA NOPE internally. But you try to send them to someone who can fake it better than you in those cases, because you don't want to scare them. That said, I'm a college-adult, so that's a little different than full-time-job-and-car adult.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ha, I can already relate to the faking it. Everyone wants to know what I'm doing for the future and I'm just like, "I DON'T KNOWWW." Eek. :P

      Delete
  6. You did so well on your 2017 goals, Katie! Like HOW DID YOU WRITE TWO BOOKS? I completed one novella and that was IT xD. Also, how did you like Stranger Things? Basically everyone and their dragon has watched it but NOT ME? I need to get in on it, because it looks amazing xD.

    WHAT IS THIS I HEAR? BETAS FOR WHERE SHADOWS LIE? COULD IT BE TRUE? *squints at the blog post* I think it is. But I don't want to look directly at it because I might scare the words away xD. I hope you're able to accomplish that goal this year, Katie! (and if you do ... *raises hand* I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE xD)

    Okay but can I just mention how epic the rest of your goals are for 2018? YOU CAN DO THIS, KATIE. <3 <3 Keep us updated on how it all goes! YOU ARE GOING TO ROCK 2018.

    ~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings

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    1. I DON'T KNOW MAN I DIDN'T EXPECT TO WRITE THAT MUCH. o.o And I really liked Stranger Things! It was nice watching with Gabs since she already watched it and knew when to skip past certain scenes. :P The second season didn't have anything more than a kiss, except quite a bit of language. :/ BUT THE PLOT AND THE WHOLE CONCEPT IS EPIC. o.o

      YES. AH. I'm afraid that saying the phrase "need beta readers!" will cause my novel to say, "actually, nevermind, I need a lot more work" :P

      THANK YOUU. <3 <3 <3

      Delete
  7. GO KATIE! Wow, this sounds like it’s going to be a HUGE year for you! Adulting sounds pretty scary (can’t believe I’ll be a senior later this year), but WOW SO EXCITING. You’ve got this!!

    *squeals* INFINITY WAR OH MY GOSH. I am seriously SOOOO excited. I’m vainly hoping I’ll be allowed to see it in theaters, but probably not...

    I hope you smash those goals, Katie!

    ~ riley aline

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    1. I KNOW SO MANY ADULTING THINGS HELP.

      Aww, I hope you'll be able to! Otherwise watching it at home is always nice because you can make a pizza and pause for breaks. :P

      Delete
  8. Congratulations on accomplishing your goals! How did you ever write TWO books?? That's so inspiring! <3

    Spider Man: Homecoming is AMAZINGGGG! XD

    Happy 2018!

    -Gray Marie | graymariewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. RIGHT?? It's one of my favorite movies ever now. :D

      Delete
  9. wow you did awesome completing those goals, and those are some awesome new ones! and dude, i so agree. like, it's highly unlikely I'll go to college. like, if idk what i'd do it for, why waste money and time?? everyone else seems to think it's weird but #ohwell

    AND AH I WILL VOLUNTEER FOR BETAING *cough cough* xD

    lol, I understand the struggle of too many journals to keep up with. I ended up having to cut down because I was falling asleep with my light on #oops

    anyways, awesome goals and I'm excited to see you conquer them in the new year! <33

    sarah » the introverted extrovert

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    1. I TOTALLY GET YOU. I agree that college is a super smart decision if you know what to go for... but I'm a clueless penguin. :P

      EEEP OKAY. xD

      HA! I understand that feeling. Journaling takes so long. XD

      Delete
  10. Congrats on your goals for last year! (and this is really random, but I was scrolling through the post quickly before reading it, and I thought #7 said "find a new watch" when it said "find a new show to watch" #notawakeyet xD)

    Oooh beta reading!!! If you need one more beta, I'd love to help out :D

    Car...job...omw, yeah that's scary. Awesome, but scary xD

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hehehe. I mean... I don't have a watch so that could be a resolution. XD

      I'LL KEEP YOU IN MIND THANK YOUU. <3

      Delete
  11. A full time job, a car, graduating high school; our Kate's all grown up. *sniff*

    But seriously, go you for making the goals to keep moving forward. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *sniff* Awww. :')

      THANK YOU. Together we'll conquer this year. :D

      Delete
  12. Sounds like you had a great 2017. Here's to the new 2018! Congrats on your upcoming graduation! That's a great accomplishment. Goodreads is AMAZING!!! And the Infinity Wars... O_o I CAN'T. EVEN. *screams hysterically whilst hyperventilating* Those are excellent goals. Keep it up! And even if you don't accomplish them all, for whatever reason, keep on keeping on. :]

    BTW, I've tagged you over at my blog: #MyFirstPostRevistited. Please don't feel obligated, but if you do it - have fun! :D

    linky: http://sarah-plainandaverage.blogspot.com/2018/01/one-good-thing-blog-tag.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Eep, thanks so much for tagging me! I'll have to go and check it out. :)

      Delete
  13. Girl you SMASHED those 2017 goals (I don't think my brain fully comprehends that goals are supposed to be completed all the way through and not halfway and so I'm always in awe of people who completed almost all their goals XD)

    I become an adult this year too, but unlike you, am pursuing the 'traditional' college route. (but I graduate in fourish months and that'S EXCITING)

    Good luck with your 2018 goals!!!

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    1. YAY FOR GRADUATING SOON!! Do you know what you'll be going to school for?

      Delete
  14. Yay for meeting most of your 2017 goals! EEEE I CANNOT WAIT TO BETA READ WHERE SHADOWS LIE ADSKJFHASDKLJFHSADKJFH. I AM FOREVER SCREAMING OVER THIS STORY!!! AKDSJFHLAKSDJFHSADKJH!!!! *flails and screams* also it's funny cause we might be sending our books to betas around the same time? So that'll be fun and we can freak out together :P YOU GOT THIS! <3

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    1. OH MY GOODNESS REALLY??? THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN BECAUSE WE CAN READ EACH OTHER'S BOOKS WHILE SENDING THEM OUT AND SCREAMING TOGETHER. xD

      Delete
  15. For the first time in a few years, I actually didn't write out any goals for this year. Partly because I didn't have time, but I also wanted to take a new approach: just LIVING instead of necessarily PLANNING everything. It's great to be organized (I wish I was more organized xD) but for me it just doesn't always work.

    So yeah, I have goals... use my money and time better, write more, save for a car, start a blog (????), and more. Mostly though, what I keep thinking is that this year I want to live the best life I can live. It sounds cheesy, but I think that's the best way to say what's been on my mind. I want to show love, I want to take care of myself, and I want to make this year the best yet. <3

    ALSO OH MY GOSH I WANT TO READ WHERE SHADOWS LIE

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hey, that's awesome if it works for you! :D :D

      Wait. What. You want to start a blog??? YES PLEASE. I WILL READ IT AND LOVE IT AND FLAIL IN ALL OF MY COMMENTS. That would be so much fun!

      Aww, it's cheesy but so important. <3 <3

      EEP OKAY I'LL DEFINITELY KEEP YOU IN MIND.

      Delete
    2. Aww, thanks. It's something I've been thinking about for a couple years. I'm just kind of paranoid because I'm afraid I would run out of ideas or wouldn't keep up it, and I don't want it to be something I start and then just forget about. I'll definitely let you know if I ever do start one though!

      Delete
    3. Aww. Yeah, I get the "idea" thing. I'M SO BAD AT COMING UP WITH BLOG POST IDEAS. So... if you ever have any, please be sure to let me know. :D <3

      Well, I'd love to read it!

      Delete
  16. Wow, you did a great job on your 2017 goals! Good luck on your 2018 goals! OH MY WORD INFINITY WAR I CANT GET ENOUGH OF THE TRAILER!!!!! But then we'll have to wait for part two... *tears*

    Micaiah @ Notebooks and Novels

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    1. I HAVEN'T WATCHED THE TRAILER FOR AWHILE SO I THINK I NEED TO GO SEE IT AGAIN. xD

      Delete
  17. Hey Katie! I just discovered your blog a few months ago and have really been enjoying it!

    I totally get how you feel about Infinity War. When I think about it I literally get choked up I'm so excited!! I think I may have hyperventilated the first time I watched the trailer. And all the times since then, really. XD

    Great goals and good luck with them! :)

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    1. Aww, I'm so glad you found it, Anna! It's good to have you here. :D

      SAME. ASDJFKALS;. *needs to go watch it again* o.o

      Delete
  18. You did better on last years goals then I did. I think you will kill this year :)

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    1. I certainly could've done better... but I didn't set too many really challenging goals for myself which helped. And thanks -- I'm sure you will too. :D

      Delete
  19. Dude, you've almost survived high school! That's great! You did awesome with last year's goals, wow. Good luck on all your new ones!
    Also, let me just state here for the record that I am in no way emotionally prepared for Infinity Wars.

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    1. ... no one can be emotionally prepared enough for infinity wars. eek.

      Delete
  20. Oh goodness, you did so much better on your 2017 goals than I did!!! XD I practically failed in every single one of mine.
    That said, though, did that stop me from making more goals for 2018??? OF COURSE NOT. XD Most of mine are small, viewpoint kind of things, like looking for the beauty in all the little things and such, but I do have my one main goal of finishing the second draft of my novel this year! Hopefully sooner than later, but I'm giving myself the entire year because I am a literal slug, apparently. ����

    Your goals for 2018 sound like so much fun!!! I am rooting for you!!! (Also I'm gonna take some of that pizza, thanks.. ������)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. YES. YOU CAN TOTALLY FINISH THE SECOND DRAFT. GO GO GO! Go, guacamole Kenzie! :P

      Mwahaha, take all the pizza you want. ;)

      Delete
    2. WOOOOT! I CAN DO IT!!!!! (I wish I had that GIF of the Eleventh Doctor to paste into this... XD ) And oh goodness, I am officially guacamole Kenzie now. This is the best day of my life. XD ...even though I've never had guacamole... #fail

      OOOOH! Thank you!!!

      Delete
  21. Oooh, thanks for the pizza! *eats it all* Congrats on writing two books!! I applaud you! *thunderous applause* Spider-Man Homecoming was super fun. Tom Holland was such a wonderful Peter Parker. I'm with you on the reading-lots-of-books fail. I felt like I read a lot this year, but when I actually counted it was about 62 or something so... yeah.
    Good luck getting through the rest of high-school. YOU CAN DO IT. I BELIEVE IN YOU.

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    1. Wasn't it amazing?? I really want to see that movie again -- it was SO. SO. GOOD.

      Wow, 62 is still a great number! I barely got to 60 novels, so go you for managing a couple of more!

      THANK YOU. I SHALL TRY MY BEST.

      Delete
  22. Congratulations on accomplishing those things last year! Hope you do well again! I'm turning 18 this year too, and hopefully finishing high school :D
    Laura
    Flowersinmybasket.blogspot.com

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  23. My weirdest goal this year (and most daunting) is that I'm going to try to draw fanart for every. single. book. I read. xP It's going to be a struggle...

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    1. Every... single... book? .... o.o .... o.o Um. That's epic. o.o

      Delete
    2. Heh. xD Yeah. It was a challenge from Athelas... So we'll see. xP If I can get it, that'll be at least a drawing a week, sincce my Goodreads goal is set at 52.

      Delete
    3. Awesome. Will you be posting all of them on Instagram? Because I totally need to see them. :P

      Delete
    4. Maybe not all of them. xP If I hate it, I won't post it, but I'll probably post the great majority of them. Right now I'm working on a Renegades one, which is turning out way more in-depth than I first intended.

      Delete
  24. congrats on meeting so many of your goals!
    I hope 2018 is a good one for you. I also plan on screaming over Infinity War.

    but my main goal for 2018 is to read my bible. not more, not every day; just pick it up and read it. its been too long. so to read it and not overanalyze it. but just soak it in.

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    1. SO MUCH SCREAMING OVER INFINITY WAR.

      That's a very important goal. And I think just reading it and soaking it in is how you can find a love for it... and through that a passion to study it.

      Good luck. <3

      Delete
  25. On my goodness, congrats on how many goals you accomplished!! AND BEST OF LUCK IN ALL YOUR 2018 GOALS. Beta readers and graduating and finding and job and adulting??!?! I applaud you, also, for taking another path besides college. I'm probably most likely going this fall (even though I've never wanted to/saw it as me end goal) if I can managed to scrape together enough scholarships... we'll see. lol
    Here's to an amazing 2018!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. EEEP THANK YOU. *flails*

      I'm excited to see what you do after high school. Ugh, deciding what to do is such a stressful decision. *hands cookies* Keep me updated!

      <3

      Delete
  26. SPIDERMAN HOMECOMING. <3 <3 <3

    These are very nice goals. *nodnod* Tracking your books like that is a GOOD idea. Might have to steal it, if you don't mind...

    HERE'S TO 2018! *raises glass of Mountain Dew* xD

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  27. BETA READERS??? *internal screaming* AHHH THAT'S SO EXCITING, I'M FLAILING.

    I'm also hoping to get toward the stage of betas this year?? *more screaming* At least some official alpha readers around June-ish, so I'm thinking that maybe later in the year I could get beta readers too??? Which will be my first ever round of official betas so I'M KIND OF FREAKING OUT AND EXCITED OVER HERE. HALP.

    I'm suuuuper excited about Infinity War except...I haven't actually watched the other Avengers movies? o-o I've only watched the first so far so I really need to hurry up and get the rest watched so I can watch this one too. Because Spiderman. XD

    Aaaaand I'm also graduating in July, because as soon as I turn 17 I can't be registered for homeschooling anymore, so I'm officially done. o-O It's already so close and I'm just whaaaaat.

    I'm also planning to start a bullet journal! (As you should know. xD) I just need to get some decent markers so it can look all pretty and colourful. ^-^

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    1. OH MY GOODNESS SERIOUSLY??? BETAS FOR BOTH OF US?? *shrieks* This will be an epic year. xD

      GO. WATCH ALL THE MOVIES. o.o You'll have to keep me updated on your thoughts about all of them. :D :D

      Wowza. That is coming up soon. Eek. o.o

      Delete
  28. Congrats on accomplishing most of your 2017 goals. Hoping you have a great and successful year in 2018 and read a lot of books and get a lot of writing done!

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    1. Thank you so much, Hannah! I wish the same to you. :D

      Delete
  29. Nice job on accomplishing many of your goals!!!

    Also, can we take a sec to appreciate the beauty that is Spiderman Homecoming??? And oH MY GOSH I AM SO EXCITED FOR INFINITY WAR!!!

    For 2018 I really want to read the Bible more often, write and journal frequently, accomplish my Goodreads reading goal, and travel around my state more!

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    1. Spider-Man Homecoming. Is. An. Amazing. Work. Of. Art. I really hope Infinity War will meet up to my hopes!

      Aww, it would be really cool to travel more! I want to visit some more coffee shops around the area. :D

      Delete
  30. You must keep watching Psych!! It is hilarious and sarcastic and just plain great. :D

    I WOULD LOVE TO BETA READ WHERE SHADOWS LIE...*ahem* I mean, if you're looking for beta readers, that is...XD

    I'll be graduating this year too! It's gonna be a weird year for me, attempting to adult. I have a part time job at the library, and currently, I'm okay with that. I've thought about going to college, but I just don't know if I have the will to go, you know?

    *screams a million years and a day about Infinity War*

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It just came on Amazon Prime, so I need to keep watching it when I have the time. o.o

      AHHH. REALLY??? Okay, I'll totally keep you in mind! ^.^

      Yeah, I definitely understand that. Seems like we're in the same sort of boat. Sigh, so many choices. :/

      *SAME*

      Delete
  31. You're totally going to conquer these goals!! xD <3

    And if you ever need betas....I'd love to!

    ReplyDelete

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