Blogging Resolutions 2019

Happy new year to everyone! I think,people are busy this month making Resolutions. Whether we can stick to the Resolutions for a long time or not is some other thing, but setting some goals at the beginning of the year can help in planning, right?

Plans might change, a few plans will fail, we might realize that our planning is bad, but starting to plan keeps us organized.

I am not a person who sets new year resolutions. I believe that any time is good to start something good. A new year is like any other time of the year appropriate to set resolutions.

Here are some resolutions that I want to set for my blog :

1. Consistancy in publishing
If time permits,  I would love to write a post every day. However, I don't have that luxury. So, I want to set a goal of posting twice a week.

2. Spend more time reading other blog posts
I want to read atleast 4 posts a week from other bloggers. Due to the smart phones, we have access to internet every minute and i know that all my friends ' blogs are a second away from me to read. Just I have to set sometime on Weekends to read them,comment and share them.

3. Focus on blog graphics
Thanks to my blogger friends like Corinne , Amrita, I learnt about a lot of tools that can help my blog posts look attractive and grab some eyeballs on social media. I will focus more on creating such good images with watermark of my blog address. I also want to spend more time on creating images specifically for social media.

4. Write quality content

Since I started working again, I am busy this year and so, I cannot write as much I want to. That is the reason i want to spend time on creating quality content on books, parenting and travel instead of churning out more posts per month.

So, those are the basic goals/ Resolutions I want to set this year for my blog. How about you? Do you believe in Resolutions? If not, do you agree with me that setting resolutions help us in long term planning even if we don't stick to them?

Let me know in comments.

Until next time,

This blog train is hosted by www.prernawahi.com, www.vartikasdiary.com and  www.mothersgurukul.com, sponsored by Pandora's Box and Recipe Dabba.

Iam participating in the blo train for the following theme : Unwritten - Your Blogging Resolutions for 2019

Word of the Year 2019 #WOTY #WOTY2019

This is my last post of 2018 and this is about the coming year.  Every year I set a word for that year and try to abide by it in all circumstances.

In 2016, I have set the word of the year as 'Change' and there are a lot of changes that happened in my life especially relocating to another country, leaving the job that I enjoyed working for almost 11 years etc., But, I believed that change is only for good and accepted it without regret.

In 2017, I decided my word of the year to be 'Aggressive', though it might seem negative, I was bored of my routine life of household works and thus wanted to be aggressive in promoting for my dance classes and network with other people in the new place that we recently relocated to.

In 2018, I have set the word of the year as 'Positive spirit'. I have been mindful to every happening in my life, I tried to be positive, without losing cool and succeeded upto 90%. Once or twice negative thoughts have surrounded me and I felt, depressed. But, Overall I could stick around with this word and create positive vibes around me.

This coming year 2019, I want to set the word of the year as 'Slow down'. 

Yes, Fortunately, I have achieved my long-term goals and now, this is the time to slow down a bit and relax. I want to spend more time on things that I like - blogging, traveling, reading books etc., I want to continue improving my knowledge of software testing and focus on my dance classes. There is no hurry to achieve any goal but being mindful is important. So, I have decided to slow down a bit and enjoy every moment in 2019.

What is your word of the year? Word of the year is some word that we want to focus in the coming year. Think about it and let me know what you want to focus on in 2019.

Meanwhile, Accept my wishes for the happy new year :-) Celebrate and welcome the new year. I wish the new year brings you all good health, wealth and happiness.

Until next time,

Linking this post to Word of the year post by EverydayGyaan. 

2017 in Review and Word of the year for 2018 #ChattyBlogs

We reached the last week of the year 2017. It seems like the year has gone fast when I review, but I had a good time overall. 

The first half of the year was not something significant but only good thing is that I started teaching dance in 2017. I cooked and experimented new recipes while cribbing about all the kitchen work I hate. 

Life seemed interesting from May when I got my driving license. The unlimited library visits made me happy. I took kids to a lot of activities in different parts of the town and we attended many fun events. 

More freelancing software testing work poured in and kept me busy. I have participated in many Instagram photo challenges and Writing challenges on my blog. My readership base grew and I focused on improving my network of friends. Diwali dance performance was good and because of this event, I made a lot of new friends. My kids got new friends too. 

In December, there are a lot of things to be grateful for. I started a new art form "Zentangle" and I am enjoying it to my heart's content. Of course, my reading time is replaced with Zentangle but it is very relaxing to my mind to draw at least for 30 mins a week. I started teaching dance to more students which also reduced my reading time. Many book reviews are pending as of now, but I don't want to rush myself reading them. I want to enjoy reading each book instead of just picking it up for review and finishing it in hurry.

So, that was about my 2017 which is both satisfying and happy. 

I don't usually set any new year resolutions as I believe that any good work should start as quickly as possible without waiting for any day. But, I want to pick a specific word for the next year which keeps me motivated and focused.

My word of the year for 2018 is "Positive Spirit". 2017 is definitely better than 2016 for me. My positive spirit made it the best. I want to continue the same for the next year too.

Do you set any word for the year? Or do you set new year resolutions? Do let me know your thoughts in comments. 

Until next time,

Linking this to #ChattyBlogs hosted by Shanaya. 

5 New year resolutions that everyone should take

I usually don't set any resolutions for the new year as I believe that we should start doing good things whenever we can, without waiting for a specific time.

But, below are a few resolutions that I feel anyone can take for a peaceful life.

1. Eat healthy

Give preference to this resolution. Feeling good, fit and healthy makes us happy and positive. So, it is essential to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Make it a point to eat a portion of fruits at least thrice a week.

• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily

• Eat leafy vegetables, grains and pulses at least twice a week
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2. Stay Active

Being active and busy keeps us feel alive. When we are contented with staying at home always and watching TV, life gets boring. Keeping mind and body active is the only way to avoid boredom.What say? 

• Try to exercise at least thrice a week. Jogging or brisk walking for 30 mins would be a starter.

• Keep mind busy by reading or playing sudoku or painting or any other creative work

• Have a good night sleep always as this is directly proportional to the mind being active

3. Pursue a hobby

Many don't realize the importance of pursuing a hobby. A hobby can be anything that makes us happy, keeps us occupied and brings out our creativity. 

Many people say that they don't have any hobbies and hidden talents. But, it's not tough to find out what we really enjoy or love  to do. We need to explore many hobbies, learn skills, spend some time on each until we find out the hobby that makes us happy.

• Without thinking of expertise and the level of talent, try hands on different things that you enjoy.

• Spare at least 2 hours per week as a starter to nourish your dreams

• Don't worry about failure and others' negative comments if the hobby really makes you happy. Learning is the part of process and no one is an expert from day one.

4. Express Gratitude

This is the new resolution that I took in my life whose potential is more than other resolutions. We are lucky in many ways. Every human being has up and downs in the life and it is foolishness to think that we are not blessed compared to others. 

A rich kid might not have freedom to run and play on the streets, whereas a poor kid playing on the streets might not have proper clothes. So, instead of taking things for granted, be happy that you have food to eat, good clothes to wear etc.,

• Create a list of things/ experiences that you are grateful to God every month (even simple gestures by strangers and their help)

• Read the gratitude list whenever you feel depressed.

• Be a reason for someone to be grateful to you by giving surprise gifts to them and leaving appreciation notes if they have done something good. (Not only to a family member but also to a colleague/ friend/ neighbor/house help)

5. Accept your weaknesses

This is the most important resolution that everyone should take. No one is perfect in this world. We know that, but still we see our weaknesses in a magnifying glass and worry about them. It's time to stop worrying.When we accept our weakness and try to improve, it doesn't hurt when others comment/ discourage us. 

I am not good at cooking. I know it and I always try to improve this aspect but I never get discouraged by the negative comments of others on this topic. Thinking about the negative comments make me lose my confidence, which I don't want to happen. 

• List down your weaknesses, be a self judge, criticize your own work and improve.

• A few things can never be changed and behavior patterns are very difficult to change. Accept them.

• Always remember that nobody in this world is perfect.

I wish you all a great year ahead which gives more happiness, good health and success in your endeavors.

Until next time,

Image courtesy: www.pixabay.com