We’re a week into the new year already! How time flies. I was planning on writing and posting this blog post a lot earlier this week, but I’ve been feeling pretty lousy lately, so I haven’t done much of anything. It’s been all about taking it easy, since it seems I overexerted myself (and mostly my brain) a little during the holidays. Today’s been good, though, so here I am typing this at last!

I’m excited about 2018! When 2017 started, I had no idea what it would bring. I was going to graduate and then I would need to start looking for a job, which is always a tricky thing. But now, at the start of 2018, I’ve got a job I really like and life is pretty good. I’m excited about reading and blogging and figured I’d put together a little list of resolutions to go with that excitement.

1. Keep reading fun

This sounds like a logical one, of course, but I’m actually taking steps to do this this year. Last year, I set my Goodreads Reading Challenge to 40 books, and although I did my best to choose books I wanted to read as opposed to books that helped me reach my goal of 40 books (i.e. short books), it still felt like a race at times. The “you’re 3 books behind schedule” made it all a lot less fun. It felt like I was doing it wrong, or wasn’t reading enough, while actually I was reading just the right amount. It’s a hobby after all, as we (book bloggers) like to remind ourselves of.

To avoid the feeling of failure that comes with the “you’re 3 books behind schedule”, I’ve decided to set my Goodreads goal to 1 book this year. And guess what? I already made it! I considered not setting a goal at all, but I do like being able to see at a glance how many books I’ve read. And who knows, perhaps I’ll adjust my goal to 30 books once I’m almost there, just to feel good about myself.

So, what’s my reading goal this year? It’s to read as many books as I can and (most importantly) want. I’m already having the best time with this goal, so the plan’s working already!

2. Do more on Instagram

I like Instagram a lot, but somehow I just can’t seem to manage to post regularly. I really want to invest more time in that this year, though. On Tuesday, I went out to buy some new props (some fake flowers and a blanket, for instance) and I’m more satisfied with my pictures already. I kind of want to post something every single day, and so far I’m doing just that, but it’s only been a week, so anything can happen. If you do want to follow me on Instagram, though, my handle’s @booksbakingandblogging. Come say hi!

---

3. Blog regularly

Last year, I only posted 49 posts, the majority of which were in the second half of the year (I think, I didn’t check that last part). I only started blogging regularly again in October, and I’ve really been enjoying it so I want to keep that going. Having said that, it should remain something I do for fun, though. I used to post something every Thursday and Sunday and while I do want to try to do something like that again this year, I also need to not put too much pressure on myself. That’s something I tend to do and something I’ve been working on lately.

So, my resolution is to post regularly, because I know that I find satisfaction in that and it makes me happy, but if I don’t feel like writing a blogpost, I’m not writing a blogpost. It shouldn’t feel like a burden or make me feel stressed. That’s basically the mantra for this year, it seems.

4. Keep up with the technical stuff

My Recipe Index isn’t up to date at all, I’ve been meaning to post affiliate links to Amazon and Book Depository for well over a year, and my picture in the sidebar is at least four years old. Oh, and the Bloglovin link picture has been broken for ages as well. All stuff that needs to be fixed! Will 2018 finally be the year when I actually do this stuff? We’ll see!

---

5. Comment on other blogs more

I’ve been kind of bad at this since my return to blogging in October. Although I do comment on other blogs, I only do it sporadically and not on that many blogs. But I love reading other people’s posts and I know how great it is to receive comments from people who are interested in what you have to say, so I need to get back to doing that more! It’s a huge part of what makes blogging so much fun!

---

6. Write!

This isn’t a reading or blogging one, but I wanted to include it anyway. I’ve been outlining and planning a story I’m quite passionate about for a while now (although not for the last month because of the madness we like to call December), and I really want to start working on it properly. I just need to sit down and start writing, but it kind of scares me at times. Hence the resolution! Perhaps this’ll serve as a kick up my butt to just start doing it. I know I want to!

---

Most of these resolutions are pretty low key, but I think that’s what I need right now. I tend to be pretty hard on myself and I need to let go and just relax without feeling I have to do certain things when I don’t. That’s what 2018 is going to be about and I have high hopes that it’ll be a great year!

Do you have any resolutions for the New Year you want to share? Let me know in the comments!