My Aims for 2025

As we know, I have moments where I go in and out of deep-dives when it comes to literature. You only have to look at what I'm publishing to know whether I am in the midst or have just raised my head above the water of a in-depth analysis of some niche and odd topic such as: disasters on the sea, 18th Century French Enlightenment Politics, marketing, books about female friendship, books about men at war and many other things that have made their way into the last year or so.

I'm so glad you have been able to come on this journey with me and I'm looking forward to just as much fun with words next year - hopefully you will stick around too. Here, I wanted to outline five things I am looking forward to aiming for in the coming year whether that be within my reading or somewhere else in my life. (As we know, my life has not been the happiest for the past few months). So, let's take a look...

My Aims for 2025

1. To read more books by authors I've never heard of

I tend to play it safe sometimes and I end up reading everything by maybe one or two authors before accidentally stumbling upon a brand new person and being astounded when I actually enjoy their writing. My goal therefore is to actively seek out authors I haven't heard of by browsing the web and hopefully, even interacting with some people across this realm. I know I tend to try and go for one new author a week but most of that is routes through books I've already read and Amazon recommendations. I need to broaden my horizons if I'm going to get anywhere.

2. To do more creative writing

I want to write more, I really do. Especially my creature narratives which, by the way, are not even finished. I love writing long and weird descriptions, focusing on strange imagery and playing with structure and form - it really does feel like tons of fun to me (yes, I know I'm dull). As for poetry though...My poetry always turns out pretty sad and so I think I'll leave that alone for now and just focus on narratives. At least with narratives I can get some real hardcore extended metaphors going through the representation of character. The issue I'm having is that I simply need to find the time.

3. To do some sort of study into word usage

I love the study of lexicography and I think it would be pretty awesome if I were to do my own deep dives into language. To be honest, the only part of the show Countdown I've ever liked is Susie Dent's "Origins of Words" and I've always wanted to something like that. I might make it a weekly thing like "Why It's a Masterpiece" but I'm not sure yet. At the time of writing this (the day before NYE), I am having a lot of fun looking at how language is used in marketing and advertising to create narratives and trick the brain. The wonders of language are immeasurable to me.

4. To relax more and stop being so uptight about everything

This one does not have very much to do with reading, writing or lexicography at all. Instead it's about my current state of being and wellness which, I have to admit has not been great lately. The latter half of 2024 has seen me unwell and more than often, out of energy. Since moving, I've become depressed, I've not been sleeping properly and my eating habits have changed to the point where I've been getting frequent stomach aches. I often get home from work not wanting to eat anything and so, I phone my family and then go to bed with a book and a cup of tea. Unfortunately, when in bed, sleep does not come easily. This has made me uptight and anxious, often I've become despondent and exhausted to the point of burnout. My 2025 will be different and I'll start taking steps towards health and relaxation, prioritising myself.

5. To be happier for myself

I think I've given you the point of me being upset a lot over the past few months and how I'm planning to relax more and worry less. But, overall in my life I'd like to be a bit happier even if that means putting other things second. This is because I've read a lot about how burnout and exhaustian are often linked to being unhappy but also I need to stop taking everything so seriously. I get anxious and upset very quickly and so, I'm going to try and slow it all down and practice some more relaxation techniques. I know I'm not in a great position and that I don't necessarily like the work I do all the time, but I need to make sure I'm not sacrificing myself on someone else's altar for the sake of pay.

Conclusion

So there are the five things I'm going to get down to in 2025. Also, as you probably already know, my birthday is coming up soon so I'm planning something for that too! I hope you are as excited as I am. Have a great New Years' Eve and I'll see you in 2025.

- Annie