2015: A Retrospective

It is the end of the year 2015.

It is time for reflection over the things that happened in the twelve months prior. Thinking about what you did or did not do and thus what you intend to in the next year.

My take on this pseudo-custom has been traditionally haphazard. The entire process condensed into feverish thoughts on the minutes counting down to the new year. Trying to focus on what I did and what I want to do in the next year, but thoughts always straying to the problems lingering on the day to day basis or just whatever is on my mind. It’s more of a symbolical gesture to myself than anything else.

This year I’m trying something a bit different. I’m spreading my musings over a longer period of time. Thinking about it for longer, really thinking about it all deeply. Writing it down. Making note of it. This process of quantifying a year has really opened my mind to what the year has meant to me. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much I’ve accomplished and grown. All of the amazing and positive things I’ve pushed myself into and had happen to me. Things that I intend to happen in 2016. All this optimistic fervor has me looking forward to the new year, and I’m already thinking about the things I can accomplish then.

Here is some of my ongoing reflection of 2015, and my plans for what I want to do in 2016.

What I accomplished in 2015

• I published my first two major novels. The culmination of years of writing and editing and months spent figuring out the entire publishing process. I’ve finally sent it off to the world to view and started to carve out my own brand. Haven’t really succeeded that much, but I’m trying and that is what matters. This has been one of the most important events in my life.
• Broke into the world of freelance editing through UpWork. Only did a little, but wow. I was working with clients half way around the world. It was a cool experience.
• Created two blogs. One food, one writing related. Putting myself out there on Twitter. Being engaged and all that.
• Honed (honing) my body through healthy eating and exercise. My running endurance has increased as I’ve been doing cardio for around forty minutes a day and I’ve slimmed down considerably.
• Getting an apprenticeship at a software development company. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, cliche, I know, but that was my thought when I applied for it. And I got it and the feeling is amazing.

Where I’m Heading in 2016

• As the last bullet says, I’m going to be started a software apprenticeship in January 2016. I’m excited. I don’t talk about it much, but I’m a very tech savvy and programming inclined person (obviously.)
• Working on my third AND fourth book. Editing the former and sketching out the latter. I’ve learned that although I’m not really making big sales, I enjoy writing and sharing what I have. It’s very pleasure driven.
• Trying to create a more coherent blogging and newsletter schedule. I’m pretty bad with keeping a routine like that, as my brain can be, well, all over the place. I’m going to work on getting a newsletter/blog post out at least every 2 weeks. Reasonable goals, I think.
• I’ve been mostly vegetarian for the past few months, and I hope to continue this trend and hold to it firm.
• Becoming the best I can possibly be. (Always the goal, but it is important to say it sometimes.)

There you go. My treaded path of 2015 and the path I’m planning for 2016. I feel pretty good about myself. Looking at this list here, all plainly put, I think I can safely say that is a justified feeling. It’s pretty spectacular how potential there is in each one of us.

So, my 2015 summarized:

Change is what you make it, and it doesn’t have to conform to the coming of a new year or a specific day.

Every day is an opportunity to improve.