My 2020 Reading Goals

Hello darlings!

Welcome to my first post for 2020 (that's going to take some getting used to...)! Can you believe that it is already 2020, and a new decade has begun?
I love how the dawning of a new year offers a new beginning and a fresh start which always motivates me to make changes and set goals.
Today's post is going to be on the topic of books & reading, and what my plans for this year are as far as reading goes.

First of all, how many books do I want to read this year?
Last year I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge to 60 books. But when I saw that it was unlikely that I would reach a total of 60 books, I lowered it to 50 and then managed to complete it.
This year I don't want to pressure myself to read a certain amount of books so that I end up rusjing through book to finish them and reach my goal by Dec 31st. Instead, I've set my goal to 1 book so I can just read for the enjoyment of reading and see how many I manage to read by the end of 2020.
I want to simply enjoy reading and not worry about completing a large goal even though I know that I can reach 50 books in a year.

As for my other reading goals/plans, I have been thinking about what kind of books I want to read this year.
I would like to try and read all of the books I own currently and have sitting on my shelves and to have the satisfaction of knowing that I own books that I have read and loved.
Another goal for my reading this year is to read more classics.
A while back, I wrote a post (here) where I talked about how I wanted to start reading more classic books and this is the year I am going to put that plan in action.
I am actually currently reading Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell, and very much enjoying it!

A few of the other classics I would like to try and read this year (most of which I already own)...
- Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
- Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
- Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
- Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott

I also plan on reading some more Christian non-fiction this year and try to reread some old favourites aswell.

Tell me in the comments below, what is your reading goal for 2020 and what is one book you plan on reading this year!


keep blooming,

Goal Setting for The New Year

I don't know about you, but I personally love beginning a new year and making new goals and getting a fresh start.
Sadly, last year my goals kind of got ditched halfway through the year and I think I know why.
I had too many and they weren't thought out very well and this year I am going to change that.

This year, I want to set just a few main goals for the entire year but then at the beginning of each month, I will set say, 3 goals just for that month. That way I can accomplish goals but not be overwhelmed by having too many to start with.


Now that I have that down, you may be wondering what exactly are my big goals for 2019?
So here are just a few of them!


1. Live life more fully

To me this means enjoying the little things, spending time wisely, being present and leaving my phone in my drawer and forgetting that it exists.
I don't want to waste a minute, I want to invest in others lives and grow my own originality and creativity.
Because the times that I have spent extra time with my siblings or sat outside instead of being cooped up indoors, I have felt more alive and had no regrets.
It's sad that in such a short time many of us have become so dependant on these devices but we can change that if we make the effort and we will reap the benefits!


2. Read more faith-building books

I like to read. Normally I prefer to read fiction and escape to a different world. While that is great, I want to read books that leave me with food for thought and bring me closer to God.
This video by Coffee & Bible Time helped prompt me to make this goal!

 I actually started toward this goal today by starting a book called Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George!


3. Post quality content on my blogs

This is a learning process I suppose but I do want to make sure that every post I publish is the best that I can be.
I want them to be inspirational, attention-grabbing and like we are sitting across from each other in a cafe, having a chat over coffee!
Feedback from you all would be greatly appreciated! Anything I could change?


4. Reread 5 books

I really want to go back and read some of the lovely books I know and love. To relive the stories and visit old friends!


5. Be intentional about prayer

I had a prayer related goal this past year but I wasn't very specific and I kind of failed, sooooo, this year I am making it more specific. I want to find practical ways to put prayer in my daily routine and to be praying HEAPS because I have learned this year that it is CRUCIAL for the Christian life and for growth.
I'd encourage you also to make spiritual goals, goals regarding your prayer life and such so that you can strive to grow in 2019!


6. Write letters to people once a week

I love to send letters, receive, and read letters. In the coming year, I am planning to set aside one day of the week when I will try to write to a few different people and hopefully stay on top of the letters I get!
The reason why is because it is a valuable way of connecting with people that I do not see often and maintaining contact. I also want to encourage the people I love by writing words that will encourage and show love.



These are a few examples of some of my goals for 2019. What are your main goals for the new year?
I pray you will grow and flourish in this new chapter of life and that you will remain close to God through it all.

xoxo
Hannah