Welcome to 2020
The Year of Literacy
New years are a funny thing, as if this date, that we decided should mark the end of the year, can really change our lives. But, we always use this day to look back at how the year went and how the new year will go. Keeping with what I have written about resolutions in the past, I am going to approach this year with a theme instead of resolutions. The idea for yearly themes has spawned from the Cortex podcast, they go much deeper into this idea if you want more background, it’s a great podcast either way.
I couldn’t think of a better word for what I want to focus on this year than literacy. I am not sure I like that word, but it encompasses the two things I want to focus on most, reading and writing. I am hoping that keeping it broad and simple will keep me on track, just trying to read every day and write most days. Building good habits is the key to it all.
In the last year, I have done much better with my reading, I am still not quite to the place I want to be with it, and when I am reading a lot I want more, it just feels better. It comes down to putting myself in the position to always have something I can jump into, to be able to take advantage of little down times throughout the day. While I do ok, the internet and social media still pull me in more than I would like, as well as random stuff on TV. Even just carrying a book around with me helps. Although I am sure, my family would appreciate less of them around the house.
As far as writing goes, this one is going to take a lot more work. Again, with this, I seem to go a lot more in spurts, but I need to be better about working toward it every day. Just giving myself time where I am taking away distractions. Writing takes many forms for me. Some of it is just journaling. Some is just writing letters. Some of it may end up being fiction. There is a lot to explore, but I need to keep at it.
I just finished reading Small Fry and moved on to Let’s Go (both of which are great memoirs, with vivid childhood memories). This has invigorated my desire to write down more memories from my childhood as well. Not that I will necessarily every write any form of an actual memoir, but I like the idea of having them down somewhere. The more I can get down while I remember it, the better, especially since there are fewer people now that can help with this.
The other form that my writing will take that should hopefully affect all of you, is in my newsletter. Trying to make that a weekly regular occurrence again. Sometimes this may make it a little lighter, but I want to be more consistent again, and of course, experiment with some weird ideas. I am going to set myself up some stretch goals to help actually hold to it, always a great motivational tool.
That’s my big theme for 2020; the year of literacy. I may add a few smaller themes as time goes on, but I want to focus on this one for now. Build a good foundation.
Closing
2020 huh? Here we are. As I said above, I am going to try and be more consistent with the newsletter. Look out the next few weeks for an update on my recent media diet, mixed with a sort of favorites of the year list. I am also going to try to see Star Wars again and share my thoughts about the last movie and The Mandalorian.
Do you have any themes or resolutions for the year that you want to share? Let me know.
As always, thanks for reading,
Mike