The State of the Ficcery: December 2025
Dec. 31st, 2025 05:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stonepicnicking_okapi[I have been trying to get my drink on since 3 pm and finally have a glass in my hand. Kind of fitting for the year.]
Word count for 2025: 260,487
For 2026: My only writing goals are to 1. finish my Rear Window AU on 13 Jun 2026 and 2. to do at least one fill for 2026 Spook Me.
Reading: 72 books, which is up 13 from last year. I finishedkingstoken's bingo and I got one line of garonne's bingo.
For 2026: I want to finish the Rebus series (I have the last two from the library already checked out) and finish my All of Agatha in January 2027. My main goal, however, it to keep a simple reading log, which will include the basic info about the book and one sentence of my opinion/observation of it. I feel like I read things (or more often listen to audiobooks) and I don't recall anything. So I want to be a bit (not as much as many people, but more than I do now which is nothing) more mindful.
Crafting: I did crafty Xmas gifts for 3 friends. Also 20 Xmas cards!
For 2026: My only goal is to be more mindful/one-pointed when I craft so I can enjoy the process of creating. And a resolution to keep the collaging out of my planner to reduce the bulk. I stopped using my planner by the autumn because it got too bulky because of the collage layers so collaging is going in journals for that purpose and the planner will have the occasional sticker.
Health & Fitness: I don't want to dwell too much on weight in case it's triggering for anyone but I put on weight this year. And I was disappointed in my performance at the Turkey Trot. I did try pickleball, and I like it, but I only have so many hours on the day. I would like to have a resolution about pickleball, but I just can't see myself committing to it meaningfully. I did Yoga with Adriene regularly (meaning more than half the days of a given month) so I am going to continue with that. I do believe honestly that regular stretching is a key component of not feeling like shit every day.
For 2026: Get the weight off so I can finally go to the doctor for a checkup (I haven't been to a doctor in 11 years. They're going to tell me to lose the weight, tell me I have high cholesterol and diabetes and who knows what else.). And I want to be able to run (read: jog, I don't actually RUN) the full Turkey Trot. That I can commit to as a goal. But the real goal is not the weight but to eat in freedom which means getting my binging under control and making better choices.
Personal: God, I survived so much this year. The boys' father losing his job when USAID was closed and working himself day and night to get 2 years of private funding. Saying goodbye to okapi car (which still HURTS). The leaks and the roof collapsing.
BUT
I got a job! When I think about how daunting the prospect of anything else is (like losing the weight) the counter logic I use is BUT YOU GOT A JOB! I never thought ANYONE would hire me. I'm so fucking useless on paper, and mostly in reality, too, but nevertheless I have a job. So that was a miracle. And it has changed my life completely. For the better.
For 2026: Plan the Okapi invasion (my UK trip). I'm thinking it'll probably happen in spring 2027 but I want it booked and planned by the end of 2026. My sister may be going with me! Taking care of old people who have lost their mobility and have so many limitations has made me realize I need to get serious with this bucket list and 221B Baker Street is #1 place in the entire world I want to see before I die. So I am thinking I am going to take 10-20% more hours a month (I don't want to overwhelm myself or cramp the logistics of two busy boys) to help save money for it.
My sister got me the gorgeous Botancia tarot deck (which I was first introduced to on DW during 3 weeks 4 dreamwidth: https://www.beehivebooks.com/products/botanica) so I want to get more familiar with that. I don't really see myself as a fortune teller but rather think of them as tools for reflection and introspection and creativity in some cases.
I had a conversation with the boys' father today and we are not moving this year. He has done some research and there aren't any cheaper places in our area so we've sticking with the devil we know for now.
Of course, I want to save money over all because the price of things is going up but that isn't a very specific goal. I have a goal for weekly grocery spending but it's a serious stretch goal at the moment.
Spiritual: I don't usually talk about my spiritual life here because I don't want to offend anyone but I've been meditating every morning for the past 23 years so I am finally ready to add an evening meditation to my routine. The bedtime routine I have now is serious shit. But my ego is definitely going to put up a fight (multiple fights) but I hope to establish a healthier bedtime routine by the end of the year.
So 2025 was a tough year (BUT I HAVE A JOB!). I want 2026 to be about devotion, kindness, patience and perseverance, and mindfulness.
Hope everyone is/has rung out the new year in whatever way suits you!
Word count for 2025: 260,487
For 2026: My only writing goals are to 1. finish my Rear Window AU on 13 Jun 2026 and 2. to do at least one fill for 2026 Spook Me.
Reading: 72 books, which is up 13 from last year. I finished
kingstoken's bingo and I got one line of garonne's bingo.For 2026: I want to finish the Rebus series (I have the last two from the library already checked out) and finish my All of Agatha in January 2027. My main goal, however, it to keep a simple reading log, which will include the basic info about the book and one sentence of my opinion/observation of it. I feel like I read things (or more often listen to audiobooks) and I don't recall anything. So I want to be a bit (not as much as many people, but more than I do now which is nothing) more mindful.
Crafting: I did crafty Xmas gifts for 3 friends. Also 20 Xmas cards!
For 2026: My only goal is to be more mindful/one-pointed when I craft so I can enjoy the process of creating. And a resolution to keep the collaging out of my planner to reduce the bulk. I stopped using my planner by the autumn because it got too bulky because of the collage layers so collaging is going in journals for that purpose and the planner will have the occasional sticker.
Health & Fitness: I don't want to dwell too much on weight in case it's triggering for anyone but I put on weight this year. And I was disappointed in my performance at the Turkey Trot. I did try pickleball, and I like it, but I only have so many hours on the day. I would like to have a resolution about pickleball, but I just can't see myself committing to it meaningfully. I did Yoga with Adriene regularly (meaning more than half the days of a given month) so I am going to continue with that. I do believe honestly that regular stretching is a key component of not feeling like shit every day.
For 2026: Get the weight off so I can finally go to the doctor for a checkup (I haven't been to a doctor in 11 years. They're going to tell me to lose the weight, tell me I have high cholesterol and diabetes and who knows what else.). And I want to be able to run (read: jog, I don't actually RUN) the full Turkey Trot. That I can commit to as a goal. But the real goal is not the weight but to eat in freedom which means getting my binging under control and making better choices.
Personal: God, I survived so much this year. The boys' father losing his job when USAID was closed and working himself day and night to get 2 years of private funding. Saying goodbye to okapi car (which still HURTS). The leaks and the roof collapsing.
BUT
I got a job! When I think about how daunting the prospect of anything else is (like losing the weight) the counter logic I use is BUT YOU GOT A JOB! I never thought ANYONE would hire me. I'm so fucking useless on paper, and mostly in reality, too, but nevertheless I have a job. So that was a miracle. And it has changed my life completely. For the better.
For 2026: Plan the Okapi invasion (my UK trip). I'm thinking it'll probably happen in spring 2027 but I want it booked and planned by the end of 2026. My sister may be going with me! Taking care of old people who have lost their mobility and have so many limitations has made me realize I need to get serious with this bucket list and 221B Baker Street is #1 place in the entire world I want to see before I die. So I am thinking I am going to take 10-20% more hours a month (I don't want to overwhelm myself or cramp the logistics of two busy boys) to help save money for it.
My sister got me the gorgeous Botancia tarot deck (which I was first introduced to on DW during 3 weeks 4 dreamwidth: https://www.beehivebooks.com/products/botanica) so I want to get more familiar with that. I don't really see myself as a fortune teller but rather think of them as tools for reflection and introspection and creativity in some cases.
I had a conversation with the boys' father today and we are not moving this year. He has done some research and there aren't any cheaper places in our area so we've sticking with the devil we know for now.
Of course, I want to save money over all because the price of things is going up but that isn't a very specific goal. I have a goal for weekly grocery spending but it's a serious stretch goal at the moment.
Spiritual: I don't usually talk about my spiritual life here because I don't want to offend anyone but I've been meditating every morning for the past 23 years so I am finally ready to add an evening meditation to my routine. The bedtime routine I have now is serious shit. But my ego is definitely going to put up a fight (multiple fights) but I hope to establish a healthier bedtime routine by the end of the year.
So 2025 was a tough year (BUT I HAVE A JOB!). I want 2026 to be about devotion, kindness, patience and perseverance, and mindfulness.
Hope everyone is/has rung out the new year in whatever way suits you!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 02:08 am (UTC)Happy New Year, dear friend! <3
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 03:00 am (UTC)2025 was such a great year for you, too! Wishing you and Duvet the best!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 05:28 am (UTC)Gorgeous tarot deck.
Happy New Year!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:18 pm (UTC)It's lovely, isn't it? I have admired it for a long time.
Thank you, to you as well. [beautiful icon!]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 05:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 07:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:03 am (UTC)Oh, cool to hear that you're planning a trip to the UK! I have been to Baker Street incidentally but not visited any of the Holmes stuff there.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:20 pm (UTC)Yes! It's going to happen! I spoke about it to my sister today and we're both keen.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 02:55 pm (UTC)Yay for GETTING A JOB and regularily doing yoga (!) and meditating, I think that's really a great package for feeling good about oneself. ♥
Still laughing about the "Okapi Invasion." xD
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 09:22 pm (UTC)YES! I am doing much better than this time last year despite all the obstacles.
I am going to do it!!
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-07 12:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-07 01:37 am (UTC)