Everyone has a way of “breaking the news” to people. Some rip the band aid off (me) and others begin with “You may wanna sit down for this.” One of my goals in life is making sure to be the latter like my parents.
My dad sat me down back in November to announce he would be moving elsewhere for work. For a year. Cue my ten-minute sob as this is not what I expected. I had already adjusted to the idea of us moving to—hopefully—our last location as a family. Individually, we were to embark on our exciting journeys to our goals. Life has a way of reminding us everything will never be fair. So, we must suck it up.
Even though the news shattered my vision, I’m still looking on the bright side of things. Lord knows how long but I always seem to place a lot of my hobbies on the back burner. Hobbies that attracted people to me and brought me joy.
Below, is a list of my “distractions” for 2022. Starting them now encourages me to adore them so I will feel complete later on. In addition to that, these hobbies will aid me in achieving the larger goals I had for this years sooner rather than later.
Studying my Bible
My relationship with God is not all rainbows and sunshine but that’s another story for another time. Point is I want to get back into reading my Bible. And what better way to understand its context than studying sections of it and applying it to my life?
Journaling
The notebooks are collecting dust on my bookshelf as I speak because I have a hilarious habit of impulsively purchasing them every time I “window shop” at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Prior to that, I enjoyed jotting down my thoughts while sipping coffee on the front porch at ten in the morning.
Staying active
After a nasty breakup, I took up yoga because I had heard of its mental benefits. Along with physical results, there is an improvement with your mental health after every session. I know this is something I need to continue to feel that sense of tranquility I possessed in the beginning.
Although, yoga is not the only option. When I was a kid, I received a pair of Barbie roller skates I recall busting my bum in every time they enveloped my feet. It was painful and embarrassing but I got back up. At 23, I’m willing to take that risk with humiliation since it’s been close to two decades of me enjoying an outdoor activity.
Reading Goals
This is literally why I’m pursuing a career in writing. Yet, I have done very little of it in the last few years. Placing social media and dating on a pedestal can do that to you. Well, now I need to get my priorities straight if my dream is to become the next Meg Abbott or Colleen Hoover.
And like every other activity you once invested your time and energy in, you must start off small. With reading I have two goals: read at least an hour before bed and finish ten books by the end of this year. Baby steps people.
Sketching and painting
Art is subjective. But after a child (I know) called my drawing of Disney’s Rapunzel bad in so many words and a person who requested my work never gave me proper credit, I stopped drawing overall because of discouragement. Recently, I picked up the old hobby again with excitement coursing through my veins as I free-styled an anime character. I’m planning on doing similar pieces once I finish this one.
On the other hand, painting is a brand-new activity. I despised it as a kid because I never understood how painters were able to create such complex and beautiful portraits/landscapes. It’s the YouTube videos that have convinced me to give it a shot. That and the fact an old friend gifted me an acrylic paint set for Christmas one year.
Teaching myself how to play the piano Goals
My great grandma had a piano and an organ situated in her living room. It was the studio piano (or maybe it was a spinet) I could never leave alone. She didn’t mind my little hands playing with the keys as I am always gentle with other people’s property. I also think she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren take an interest in her career.
Eventually, my parents gifted me a keyboard for the holidays when I was in seventh grade, but we never got around to signing me up for lessons. Staring at the instrument now makes me realize I can easily teach myself how to play it. It was a journey in perfecting my sketches, blending with eyeshadows, and writing skills. So, it should be fun to try my hand in something that brought my great grandmother joy. As I mentioned before with my goals for reading: baby steps.
And it all starts with good hand positions.
Revamping this blog
Before this blog turned into what it currently is, it was strictly a place where I could share my love for books. Time away encouraged me to add more than just reviews and writing tips.
I concluded while on break that I’m basically the girl next door in a romance film; you know, the pretty face that’s been there for the male protagonist through everything. Although I appreciate compliments on my external beauty, it hurts I can never build stronger bonds with people when I feel I have more to offer than just my looks and a shoulder to lean on.
Hence, the name change. I’m pretty and caring but I’m more than just those two descriptors.
For clarification, I’m not 100% dependent on my dad. Or my mom. I just love my parents a lot and they feel the same way. This announcement came out of left field for us.
Looking back on this list, a sense of peace washes over me. There’s so much more for me to do that time will surely pass by. Before I know it, my dad will be back home. These small goals will lead to the larger ones.
I like to think everything will be okay.