We all know that person who says some snide comment about our career choice, either demeaning us, embarrassing us, or simply patronizing us. I've always hated being patronized by people who think they know better than me. Without further ado, these are some of the things I've heard throughout the years about young writers that have bugged the heck out of me!
1. "I've always wanted to write a book too!"
Okay, yeah, we get it. Everyone wants to write a book. But there's a difference between you and me that you don't seem to be getting: I'm actually writing a book. I will encourage anyone to work hard towards their goals and dreams, but I hate when people say this because it makes me think that they seem to think of me as some dumb kid who is never really going to write a book.
2. "You're still an amateur."
Yes, someone has actually said this to me. I'm generally not a fan of a person if they judge me without really knowing my credentials, and this is definitely the case with writing for me. Sure, I may not be published yet, but I will be--and I don't need your negativity in my life.
3. "You might want to major in something other than English..."
I'm always ready to fight anyone who wants to talk with me about college. People often treat students going into English-based fields with disdain, and it pisses me off to no end. First of all, it's no one's business but mine what I chose to pursue in life. Second of all, my college major is no indication of my worth, skills, or talent. Chill out.
4. "It's hard to be a writer!"
Yes. It is. I know. This bugs me because as a young writer, I have been talked down to many a time by many people. There may be some young writers who don't know what they're getting themselves into, but I'm not one of them. Let me do my thing, and you go do yours.
Rant over! I guess what this really comes down to is that I think people should either be encouraging and give thoughtful advice to young, impressionable, and motivated people, rather than talking down to them or discouraging their dreams. I'm going to be a writer with or without your help, so I would much rather you be a positive in my journey than a negative!
Kekai
Friday, January 29, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Fostering a Writing Routine: The Journey So Far
After going through a rough bout of depression and finally getting on some meds just in time for the new year, I've been pushing myself to start getting more seriously into writing again. For me, this meant making one of my resolutions to try and write every single day (see my full list of resolutions here!). I made my goal modest: only ten minutes.
The first few days went quite well--I started bringing a notebook to school and writing in my free time, and I woke up wanting to write every single day. Considering I had woke up hating everything for the past couple months, this was a nice change of pace!
Since then, things have gotten a little less intense--I'm not writing every day, and I don't always feel excited. However, thanks to that first week of intense dedication and passion, something has changed within me (something is not the same...name that song!). I'm writing 3-4 times a week, which is pretty good for someone with a school schedule as stressful as mine, and I'm thinking about my writing and achieving my goals all the time!
It really goes to show that with a little hard work, you can really start to push yourself towards something you really want to do. I still have a long ways to go--I need to start writing every day, and hopefully for more than ten minutes, if I want to finish Sorcera by my self-established deadline (Want me to post about my new and improved writing goals? Let me know!). I'd also like to start creating a space for myself that I use only for writing, and maybe setting a time I write every day--which is incredibly difficult with my school schedule. However, I think it's important to enjoy the little victories. For me, that's getting over my depression's lack of enthusiasm for my passions, and starting to love my writing again. That's pretty good for a few weeks of work!
I'm so excited to see what this new year holds for me and my writing. I hope you are working hard at your goals. I know you can achieve them if you put in the time and passion that you absolutely have!
Lots of luck,
Kekai
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Reinventing the Wheel: On YA Fiction
I have a lot of feelings about young adult fiction. I read it. I write it. As a young adult myself, I sort of live and breathe it! There's been a lot of debate, criticism, and joke about young adult fiction for the last couple years as it's become a more and more popular genre to write for. Some criticize YA for being cliche and pander-y to the young female teen demographic; others say that it's just completely poor writing. But what really is YA? It's not a ploy to take money from little girls who want to feel as pretty as the characters in the books--it's just a category focused on the lives of young people, be it realistic fiction, romance, or fantasy.
I will be the first to admit that there are some not-so-good YA fiction books out there. There are many that don't have great writing, many that give girls self-esteem issues, and many that are just plain offensive (inaccurate, sugar-coated sick lit or most books that often use trauma as merely a plot device). However, the same can be said for every literary genre--who hasn't read a shitty romance, science fiction, or historical novel? There are always blemishes, and no book is ever as perfect as we'd like it to be.
However, I think there's something really important that a lot of people forget about YA fiction. YA fiction has become a big place for young girls (and people of all ages and genders, but it definitely does appeal to the female demographic), and stories about girls and people their age encourages girls to read! Maybe the stories can be a little predictable, but there's nothing I love more than young people getting involved and passionate about literature. This goes hand-in-hand with the upsurge in female characters in Young Adult lit; girls are starting to see themselves represented in ways that they haven't been in fantasy and science fiction until recent years.
Another thing I find interesting that could be considered good or bad, is that YA fiction has been a front for a lot of different social issues in recent years. I've found YA to be one of the more diverse literary genres, with a push for MOGAI characters, characters of color, and disabled characters. Sometimes these attempts at diversity backfire, and end up being offensive characters, but I've seen some great representations as well! I think it's good and relevant that a genre aimed towards young people is starting to represent more people that seem real, more people that actually are like who we see around us. YA is teaching young adults to be more accepting and understanding of those around them, and I dig that.
This isn't to say that I don't think YA doesn't need some improvement. The same old ideas get stale and boring--I know I have trouble finding the diamonds in the rough when I'm at the bookstore! However, genres are constantly changing, and I have no doubt that YA will always be finding a new trend to interest and engage us. In the meanwhile, try and appreciate it for what it is; a fun genre that doesn't need to be high-browed to be interesting, encourages kids to relate to lit, and also gives kids some much-needed representation in books.
If you agree with me, hit me up with a comment! If you don't, hit me up with a comment! Hope you all are having a lovely weekend. :)
Kekai
I will be the first to admit that there are some not-so-good YA fiction books out there. There are many that don't have great writing, many that give girls self-esteem issues, and many that are just plain offensive (inaccurate, sugar-coated sick lit or most books that often use trauma as merely a plot device). However, the same can be said for every literary genre--who hasn't read a shitty romance, science fiction, or historical novel? There are always blemishes, and no book is ever as perfect as we'd like it to be.
However, I think there's something really important that a lot of people forget about YA fiction. YA fiction has become a big place for young girls (and people of all ages and genders, but it definitely does appeal to the female demographic), and stories about girls and people their age encourages girls to read! Maybe the stories can be a little predictable, but there's nothing I love more than young people getting involved and passionate about literature. This goes hand-in-hand with the upsurge in female characters in Young Adult lit; girls are starting to see themselves represented in ways that they haven't been in fantasy and science fiction until recent years.
Another thing I find interesting that could be considered good or bad, is that YA fiction has been a front for a lot of different social issues in recent years. I've found YA to be one of the more diverse literary genres, with a push for MOGAI characters, characters of color, and disabled characters. Sometimes these attempts at diversity backfire, and end up being offensive characters, but I've seen some great representations as well! I think it's good and relevant that a genre aimed towards young people is starting to represent more people that seem real, more people that actually are like who we see around us. YA is teaching young adults to be more accepting and understanding of those around them, and I dig that.
This isn't to say that I don't think YA doesn't need some improvement. The same old ideas get stale and boring--I know I have trouble finding the diamonds in the rough when I'm at the bookstore! However, genres are constantly changing, and I have no doubt that YA will always be finding a new trend to interest and engage us. In the meanwhile, try and appreciate it for what it is; a fun genre that doesn't need to be high-browed to be interesting, encourages kids to relate to lit, and also gives kids some much-needed representation in books.
If you agree with me, hit me up with a comment! If you don't, hit me up with a comment! Hope you all are having a lovely weekend. :)
Kekai
Friday, January 22, 2016
My Top 5 Favorite Books (+ Why!)
Good afternoon everyone! I've been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, and my love of books prompted me to want to write my own. Today, I thought I'd share my favorite books with you!
1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariller
Daughter of the Forest is a Celtic retelling of the fairy tale of the Seven Swans. This book is the first in a series, and my mom suggested it to me a couple years back--I've only read it once, but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of my favorite novels! The best description I can give of this novel is one of chocolate cake: each page is rich with warm, delicious storytelling. I read this book over the course of two months, reading a couple pages each day and savoring it. Don't worry though, Daughter of the Forest is anything but boring! The details are made interesting with poignant plot twists, great dialogue, and meaningful characters. The climax of the novel had me in hysterics at about one in the morning. Truly an incredible read!
2. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
I love Harry Potter. You love Harry Potter. We all love Harry Potter. Do I really need to explain?
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I was suggested this book by a friend of mine, and I'm so thankful that I picked it up! With a lot of unoriginal YA fiction around these days, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is enchanting and vivid, with characters you really want to root for. It centers on Karou, a girl caught between two worlds--our own, Earth, and another filled with monsters and angels. Her world is turned even further upside down than it already is when she meets Akiva, her love interest (surprise!) and someone she feels drawn to for reasons she can't explain. The detail in this book is incredibly intricate, and this book manages to be touching without being overwrought, romantic without being predictable, and exciting without being annoying. A true win for YA fantasy!
4. The Engelsfors Trilogy by Sara B Elfgren and Mats Strandsberg
I picked up the first book in this trilogy, The Circle, in Traverse City on a weekend trip when it was suggested at the bookstore--I read the summary, and when I found it had six female main characters that were witches, I knew I had to read it. Despite it being a huge book, I finished it within days, and was hungry for more. The Circle focuses on a group of girls who gain magic powers after the "suicide" of a boy at their school. Set in a small town in Sweden, Engelsfors, these girls' use their powers for good, evil, and just about anything in between. With a rotating perspective, you get lots of time to understand and sympathize with ever character. The writing is vivid and interesting, making you feel incredibly involved with the plot. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fresh new read!
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
You know a book is good when you read it as a kid, and then when you read it again a few years later, it's still good! Lemony Snicket's morbid and dry humor makes the outlandish stories of three orphans and their terrifying stalker even more fantastical than they already are. With resourceful, sympathetic main characters, an incredible villain, and a plot that always keeps you guessing with the sheer unfortunate-ness of it all, A Series of Unfortunate Events is truly exciting, with morals and themes that people of any age can appreciate.
5. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
I read How I Live Now when I heard about the movie (which I've actually yet to watch), and I've held it close to my heart ever since. How I Live Now centers on a girl, Daisy, and her trip to visit cousins in England--a terrorist attack happens soon thereafter, and she and her other female cousin are split from the boy cousins. She and her sister trek across the English countryside to try and find them again. Touching and poignant, How I Live Now paints a disconcerting yet somehow mellow portrait of a family separated, as well as youth issues and a coming of age story. Very interesting!
If you've read any of these and want to tell me what you thought of them, or plan to read any of these, please let me know in the comments or tweet me (@m_kekai)! Happy reading!
Kekai
1. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Mariller
Daughter of the Forest is a Celtic retelling of the fairy tale of the Seven Swans. This book is the first in a series, and my mom suggested it to me a couple years back--I've only read it once, but it will always hold a place in my heart as one of my favorite novels! The best description I can give of this novel is one of chocolate cake: each page is rich with warm, delicious storytelling. I read this book over the course of two months, reading a couple pages each day and savoring it. Don't worry though, Daughter of the Forest is anything but boring! The details are made interesting with poignant plot twists, great dialogue, and meaningful characters. The climax of the novel had me in hysterics at about one in the morning. Truly an incredible read!
2. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
I love Harry Potter. You love Harry Potter. We all love Harry Potter. Do I really need to explain?
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I was suggested this book by a friend of mine, and I'm so thankful that I picked it up! With a lot of unoriginal YA fiction around these days, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is enchanting and vivid, with characters you really want to root for. It centers on Karou, a girl caught between two worlds--our own, Earth, and another filled with monsters and angels. Her world is turned even further upside down than it already is when she meets Akiva, her love interest (surprise!) and someone she feels drawn to for reasons she can't explain. The detail in this book is incredibly intricate, and this book manages to be touching without being overwrought, romantic without being predictable, and exciting without being annoying. A true win for YA fantasy!
4. The Engelsfors Trilogy by Sara B Elfgren and Mats Strandsberg
I picked up the first book in this trilogy, The Circle, in Traverse City on a weekend trip when it was suggested at the bookstore--I read the summary, and when I found it had six female main characters that were witches, I knew I had to read it. Despite it being a huge book, I finished it within days, and was hungry for more. The Circle focuses on a group of girls who gain magic powers after the "suicide" of a boy at their school. Set in a small town in Sweden, Engelsfors, these girls' use their powers for good, evil, and just about anything in between. With a rotating perspective, you get lots of time to understand and sympathize with ever character. The writing is vivid and interesting, making you feel incredibly involved with the plot. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a fresh new read!
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
You know a book is good when you read it as a kid, and then when you read it again a few years later, it's still good! Lemony Snicket's morbid and dry humor makes the outlandish stories of three orphans and their terrifying stalker even more fantastical than they already are. With resourceful, sympathetic main characters, an incredible villain, and a plot that always keeps you guessing with the sheer unfortunate-ness of it all, A Series of Unfortunate Events is truly exciting, with morals and themes that people of any age can appreciate.
5. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
I read How I Live Now when I heard about the movie (which I've actually yet to watch), and I've held it close to my heart ever since. How I Live Now centers on a girl, Daisy, and her trip to visit cousins in England--a terrorist attack happens soon thereafter, and she and her other female cousin are split from the boy cousins. She and her sister trek across the English countryside to try and find them again. Touching and poignant, How I Live Now paints a disconcerting yet somehow mellow portrait of a family separated, as well as youth issues and a coming of age story. Very interesting!
If you've read any of these and want to tell me what you thought of them, or plan to read any of these, please let me know in the comments or tweet me (@m_kekai)! Happy reading!
Kekai
Friday, January 15, 2016
Top 5 Writer's Resources!
Hey everyone, and happy Friday! Ever needed some good writer's advice? Ever needed something to finally get you into the groove of writing? Well, I'm your gal tonight then, because guess what post I just wrote! That's right, here I have my top 5 writer's resources. Let's get right into it:
1. National Novel Writing Month
National Novel Writing Month (Or, more popularly, and briefly, NaNoWriMo) is an online program by which you can challenge yourself to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. You can post a synopsis of your novel, update your word count on the site, and talk to fellow writers! This is an incredibly fun endeavor, and how I completed my first full-length novel (rather than the novellas of my youth). Even if you're a more seasoned writer with a writing routine already, it's exciting to participate--there's a sort of motivation that comes with knowing you're working with others towards a common goal.
1. National Novel Writing Month
National Novel Writing Month (Or, more popularly, and briefly, NaNoWriMo) is an online program by which you can challenge yourself to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. You can post a synopsis of your novel, update your word count on the site, and talk to fellow writers! This is an incredibly fun endeavor, and how I completed my first full-length novel (rather than the novellas of my youth). Even if you're a more seasoned writer with a writing routine already, it's exciting to participate--there's a sort of motivation that comes with knowing you're working with others towards a common goal.
2. She's Novel
I stumbled upon She's Novel a couple weeks ago, and have been addicted to it ever since! Aesthetically pleasing and infinitely encouraging, I find Kristen Kieffer to be funny and inspirational. This came along at the perfect time for me, as I just started working very hard on creating a writing routine (I'm writing a post involving that very soon), and I needed a little jump start for my motivation. She also has guest writers from time to time. I especially love her articles How I Learned to Write Every Day and My Two Step Method for Finishing Your Novel.
3. Writer's Digest
A writer's advice classic, I often spend time trolling through the Writer's Digest archives, looking for any articles that may appeal to me--I often get the magazine for Christmas. Insightful and interesting, Writer's Digest has a lot of different content, so if you need advice on a particular writing issue, you're sure to find the help you need here.
4. 750words
I used to use 750words a lot when I was younger, and this is another great site for young writers or people just starting out with a writing routine. 750words is where you can write 750 words a day--it tracks your progress and productivity, and saves your work.
5. Written? Kitten + Write or Die!
So, do you work better with a carrot or a stick? Either way, I've got you covered! Written? Kitten! is a site where you are rewarded with a picture of a kitten per number of words that you write, which you can adjust at your leisure. Meanwhile, Write or Die threatens you--if you don't keep writing continuously until you reach your goal, the site gets consistently more irritating until you continue to write. Write or Die is great because it really forces you to focus, or else. Written? Kitten! is great because, I mean, cats.
I hope you like this list! Please let me know if you check out any of these, I'd love to hear what you think of them.
Enjoy,
Kekai
I stumbled upon She's Novel a couple weeks ago, and have been addicted to it ever since! Aesthetically pleasing and infinitely encouraging, I find Kristen Kieffer to be funny and inspirational. This came along at the perfect time for me, as I just started working very hard on creating a writing routine (I'm writing a post involving that very soon), and I needed a little jump start for my motivation. She also has guest writers from time to time. I especially love her articles How I Learned to Write Every Day and My Two Step Method for Finishing Your Novel.
3. Writer's Digest
A writer's advice classic, I often spend time trolling through the Writer's Digest archives, looking for any articles that may appeal to me--I often get the magazine for Christmas. Insightful and interesting, Writer's Digest has a lot of different content, so if you need advice on a particular writing issue, you're sure to find the help you need here.
4. 750words
I used to use 750words a lot when I was younger, and this is another great site for young writers or people just starting out with a writing routine. 750words is where you can write 750 words a day--it tracks your progress and productivity, and saves your work.
5. Written? Kitten + Write or Die!
So, do you work better with a carrot or a stick? Either way, I've got you covered! Written? Kitten! is a site where you are rewarded with a picture of a kitten per number of words that you write, which you can adjust at your leisure. Meanwhile, Write or Die threatens you--if you don't keep writing continuously until you reach your goal, the site gets consistently more irritating until you continue to write. Write or Die is great because it really forces you to focus, or else. Written? Kitten! is great because, I mean, cats.
I hope you like this list! Please let me know if you check out any of these, I'd love to hear what you think of them.
Enjoy,
Kekai
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
My Trip to Iceland!
Good afternoon, everyone! Today I thought that I'd do something a little new and different, and talk about one of the many adventures that I went on this summer. I've always thought Iceland was a gorgeous place, and when my family decided to go, I was pumped! We flew through Toronto, on a surprisingly fast five hour flight, and arrived early in the morning. Here are the highlights of my trip:
Hallgrímskirkja
Pictured above, Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran church in the center of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. It's the tallest building in the city, and you can take an elevator and then a flight of stairs to the top, where you can get an incredible panoramic view! It's a really good way to get the lay of the land, and it's a gorgeous church inside and out.
Gullfoss + Other Waterfalls
Gullfoss is a huge, highly popular waterfall in Iceland--absolutely gorgeous! As well as Gullfoss, there are dozens of other waterfalls that are equally gorgeous, and unlike waterfalls in America, you can get crazy close to all of them. In the picture below are my sister and dad walking behind one.
Vik
Vik is a small town in southern Iceland that hosts a gorgeous black sand beach. When we went, we brought our swimsuits just in case, but it was so cold and windy that we found this to be a total joke! However, it's still an incredibly pretty, and fun to walk along--it looks like something out of a movie.
Blue Lagoon + Public City Pools
Our trip to Iceland would not have been complete without the iconic trip to Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. While it can be said that Blue Lagoon is incredibly touristy, it is completely worth it to go. The water is sooo warm, and Blue Lagoon completely has its customer service down, and I swear we spent about 3 or 4 hours lounging in the huge pool. While we didn't opt in, they also provide massages. MASSAGES IN THE WATER.
If you don't want to pay the price for Blue Lagoon but still want the geothermal experience, not only is your shower powered by geothermal, but there are public pools in nearly every town, and nearly each one is geothermally heated. Much cheaper, and nearly as fun! Plus, less tourists and more locals!
Eyjafjallajokull and the Eyjafjallajokull Erupts Museum
On our way to Vik, we stopped to take a look at the incredible volcano Eyjafjallajokull, and a small museum created by a nearby self-sustaining farm. The museum talks about this family's personal experience with Eyjafjallajokull's recent eruption. This is a quick, easy stop that teaches you a little about local life and the volcano it lives under.
Visiting Local Grocery Stores and Shops
While this may seem kind of silly, I think that you can learn a lot about a place by going to the local grocery store. We went to go pick up snacks for our little southern road trip, and we had fun looking at what the store provided--we each got a new snack that we had never had in America. We also had a fun interaction with an Icelander who helped us find regular, non-carbonated water.
Pingvellir
Pingvellir is a park where the North American and European plate boundaries converge. Coincidentally, it was also a meeting place for original Icelandic peoples to sort out disputes. This marshy area is absolutely gorgeous. We were there when it rained, and it still was!
There you go, folks! I had an absolutely splendid time in Iceland--it's such an interesting and laidback place, I can't wait to go back. If you liked hearing me talk a little bit about travel, please let me know and I'd be happy to do more travel posts!
Safe travels,
Kekai
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Life is a Balancing Act: My New Year's Resolutions
Hey everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, or a great time celebrating whatever you do over the winter season. I certainly did, and with all the lazing time I had over today, I decided to write my New Year's Resolutions. School is back in swing now, so it has certainly been difficult to get started on my resolutions, but I thought that'd I'd share them with you all and hopefully inspire you a little bit!
1. Write at least 10 minutes a day.
I've recently been dealing with some pretty bad depression, and basically all my passions have fallen by the wayside because of it. However, I've noticed that when I do write, I feel happy and productive and it tends to inform my mood for the rest of the day. I like this resolution because 10 minutes goes fast, and it leaves the option to write for longer if I'm particularly feeling it. I tend to average about 300-500 words in ten minutes, so writing 1,000 words every two days is pretty hefty and productive! So far, I've been doing fairly well on this goal, and it's making me feel enthusiastic about my hobbies again.
2. Practice violin at least three times in the school week and once on weekends, for at least five minutes each time.
This is another passion that has fallen by the wayside for me--with so much homework going on and the like, it's been difficult to take the time to do some quality work with my instrument. I decided to not get quite as ambitious as committing to violin every day, instead just focusing on a couple times a week. This will hopefully start to improve my skills again, and get me more passionate!
3. Read 15 books this year.
School-required reading has recently gotten in the way of my individual reading time, and losing this main form of relaxation has been really taxing on my energy. My goal last year was 50 books, and I just barely hit 13, so I'm deciding to create a slightly more modest goal this year.
4. Meditate at least three times a week.
I am a very "on" person, constantly thinking and worrying and planning. Therefore, I'd like to work on creating space in my life where I can reflect or simply quiet my brain on a regular basis. In a previous article about good apps for self help, I talked about the app Stop, Breath & Think, which is a free meditation app that provides guided meditations. I find it incredibly helpful, and it has tons of guides for various emotions you may be wanting to settle.
5. Continue to work on my mental health.
Last year, one of my goals was to "figure out my mental health", and in 2015, I got a counselor and started to really come to terms with my mental illness. After a period of improvement, I was hit hard by depression this fall and winter, and have been grappling with it continuously. This year, I want to keep working with it and also continue speaking out about it.
6. Worry less about what other people think and do. Focus on you and those you care about.
With the onset of my depression, I've gotten incredibly paranoid and stressed about other people's issues and what they think of me. This year, I'd like to start thinking less about other people in a negative or self-esteem-destroying manner, and instead focus on lifting people up and spending time with people that lift me up.
7. Simplify. Don’t say ‘yes’ to everything. Focus on what makes you happy, and what needs to be done to get what makes you happy.
If you know me, you know that I'm one of those people that feels like they have to do everything, or else they're somehow a failure or losing or quitting. This year, I want to make myself feel okay with doing less and focusing more on things I truly am passionate about.
Well, there they are, folks! What do you think of my New Year's Resolutions? Are there any that you could apply to your own life? And what are yours? Please feel free to comment on or share this post with people you think might enjoy my resolutions, or tell me about your own. Together, we can make 2016 happy, relaxing, and adventurous!
Good luck and much love,
Kekai
1. Write at least 10 minutes a day.
I've recently been dealing with some pretty bad depression, and basically all my passions have fallen by the wayside because of it. However, I've noticed that when I do write, I feel happy and productive and it tends to inform my mood for the rest of the day. I like this resolution because 10 minutes goes fast, and it leaves the option to write for longer if I'm particularly feeling it. I tend to average about 300-500 words in ten minutes, so writing 1,000 words every two days is pretty hefty and productive! So far, I've been doing fairly well on this goal, and it's making me feel enthusiastic about my hobbies again.
2. Practice violin at least three times in the school week and once on weekends, for at least five minutes each time.
This is another passion that has fallen by the wayside for me--with so much homework going on and the like, it's been difficult to take the time to do some quality work with my instrument. I decided to not get quite as ambitious as committing to violin every day, instead just focusing on a couple times a week. This will hopefully start to improve my skills again, and get me more passionate!
3. Read 15 books this year.
School-required reading has recently gotten in the way of my individual reading time, and losing this main form of relaxation has been really taxing on my energy. My goal last year was 50 books, and I just barely hit 13, so I'm deciding to create a slightly more modest goal this year.
4. Meditate at least three times a week.
I am a very "on" person, constantly thinking and worrying and planning. Therefore, I'd like to work on creating space in my life where I can reflect or simply quiet my brain on a regular basis. In a previous article about good apps for self help, I talked about the app Stop, Breath & Think, which is a free meditation app that provides guided meditations. I find it incredibly helpful, and it has tons of guides for various emotions you may be wanting to settle.
5. Continue to work on my mental health.
Last year, one of my goals was to "figure out my mental health", and in 2015, I got a counselor and started to really come to terms with my mental illness. After a period of improvement, I was hit hard by depression this fall and winter, and have been grappling with it continuously. This year, I want to keep working with it and also continue speaking out about it.
6. Worry less about what other people think and do. Focus on you and those you care about.
With the onset of my depression, I've gotten incredibly paranoid and stressed about other people's issues and what they think of me. This year, I'd like to start thinking less about other people in a negative or self-esteem-destroying manner, and instead focus on lifting people up and spending time with people that lift me up.
7. Simplify. Don’t say ‘yes’ to everything. Focus on what makes you happy, and what needs to be done to get what makes you happy.
If you know me, you know that I'm one of those people that feels like they have to do everything, or else they're somehow a failure or losing or quitting. This year, I want to make myself feel okay with doing less and focusing more on things I truly am passionate about.
Well, there they are, folks! What do you think of my New Year's Resolutions? Are there any that you could apply to your own life? And what are yours? Please feel free to comment on or share this post with people you think might enjoy my resolutions, or tell me about your own. Together, we can make 2016 happy, relaxing, and adventurous!
Good luck and much love,
Kekai
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