Hello, everyone! Long time no see. Happy December! I can’t believe the bulk of autumn has gone, and I’ve hardly posted at all on this blog. I’ve missed keeping up with everyone in the blogsphere! How have your last few months been? Mine have been busy but good!
Moving
At the end of the summer, I moved! It’s definitely been quite the adjustment. I was very sad to end my volunteer position at my previous local library, and there were business ventures I was leaving behind which left me feeling conflicted.
After getting used to a new day-to-day life, though, I think the move has been extremely beneficial. I’d been in a rut for a long time, and something needed to change.
Since moving to a new area, I’ve gotten a part-time job at my present local library. I’ve been working with kids much more than I ever have, and I’m loving it more than I expected. I’m excited to see what more lies on the horizon!
Nanowrimo
After settling in with the move, I decided it was time I get back to my writing. I’ve worked on several projects on and off for many years, and this year marked my fifth Nanowrimo.
The official “NaNoWriMo”–or “National Novel Writing Month”–nonprofit organization is defunct as of earlier this year, but many writers have continued the Nanowrimo challenge regardless: writing 50,000 words towards a novel in the month of November.
Most Nanowrimos, I’ve put about 10,000 words to a project before losing steam. On my second attempt in 2022, though, I did end up completing the challenge! In the years since, I’ve only been partially invested, so I wanted to give it a dedicated effort this year.
Unfortunately, I began and ended the month travelling, which really affected my work flow. I started off far behind and, while I did get back on track, I couldn’t maintain my trajectory through Thanksgiving week.
It was disappointing “losing” Nanowrimo this year, but I did put 41,766 new words towards the second draft of my young adult fantasy novel (going by the name “Project Assassin”). Overall, I’m glad for progress. During the challenge, I hit the 100,000 total words milestone in my draft which was good enough for me! I’m planning (hoping!) to finish this draft by the end of this month/year.
Reading & Blogging
The one thing that still hasn’t improved this year is, unfortunately, my reading (and, in turn, book blogging). In the beginning of the fall, I did have a small surge of activity. I posted reviews for The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel and Spooky Appalachia, both books I enjoyed. I made a small effort to revive my bookstagram account, but I found it more trouble than it was worth for me.
Since moving, I’ve realized how much pressure I had been putting on myself in many aspects of my life and how harmful that was. I made my hobbies something I dreaded. Because of that, I’m really easing up on my expectations.
As I continue toward building new routines and cultivating new interests, I believe I’ll be coming back to this blog more. I don’t want to make any big declarations or goals, but this has been something I’ve come back to for many years, and I don’t see that changing. 🙂
Going Forward
My life feels like it’s in a good place at the moment. There’s a nice balance of beginnings and stability which I’m very pleased about. I’m really hoping to wrap 2025 up on a high note — but I don’t want to get too ahead of myself!
I’m turning twenty-two this month which I find hard to believe. The years keep going faster! There’s a lot of good, though, and I’m happy where I’m at now.
This post reads very much like a journal entry — I’m sorry if that makes for boring reading material! Whatever I post next will likely not be along this line. I’m appreciating taking the time to reflect, though. It’s inspiring.
How have you been doing these last few months (or this past year)? Any big life changes for you? What books have you enjoyed recently? I’d truly love to hear! ❤
Little Bit of All That 