✨Aspirations Check-In✨

Time for some Q1 reporting!

As we near the end of Q1, I thought it would be a good time to see how I’m doing on the aspirations I set for the year. I don’t usually check in with myself like this, so I’m hoping this is 1. illuminating in how much effort I have actually put in so far and 2. helps to keep me on track.

As a reminder, here are my Aspirations for 2025:

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Let’s see how I’m doing so far

1. Grow this Substack: At the end of 2024 I had 6 total subscribers. As of this writing, I’m up to 20! My goal for the year was to double my subscribers and have half of them be paid. I MORE than doubled my subscribers (thank you!) and four of you kind souls are paying for this drivel, so extra thank you to those people 😂

2. Generate Income: As we all know, the job hunt carries on. Other than this Substack, I haven’t generated any other income. Jury’s still out on whether or not I’ll take the leap and make an online course about how to sell an online course.

3. Finish Draft of a Novel: Progress is being made! I finally stopped plotting and outlining and started writing earlier this month. I’m at 5,400 words so far with a long way to go, but I’m trying to focus on moving forward and trying not to get too hung up on whether or not anything I’m writing is any good.

4. Spend More Time in/at the Ocean: Well. It’s winter. That doesn’t mean I can’t visit the ocean, but this winter was a bit brutal. The good news is the weather is starting to become quite spring-like and I anticipate ramping up my ocean visits very soon. This goal is definitely one I meant to focus more on in the summer, though. (Beach days can’t come soon enough!)

5. Spend Less Time on My Phone: This is going poorly. I did add the Screen Zen app to my phone which allows you to set limits around how often and for how long you can open apps (I find it more user-friendly than the built-in iPhone screen time settings), and while my limits are quite generous, I haven’t gone over them once. I guess that’s something? I need to be more intentional about this one, and I think I’ll start with trying to leave my phone in a set location during the weekends.

6. Declutter: Progress has been made here. There’s just so. much. more. to do. While our main living areas are the ones I struggle to keep up with, I’ve started tackling the basement since I figure most of the things down there can go. Somewhat related, I’ve also started cleaning the bathroom religiously every week and it now only takes me 20 minutes to get it spotless from top to bottom. (We’ve only got the one and it’s the size of a literal postage stamp, but still.)

7. Spend More Time Outside: See above where I mention the brutal winter. Other than those walks to and from the bus stop, very little time was spent outside for most of January and February. Now that spring is here I’m going to start going on my walks and doing yard work.

8. Meditate, Manifest, Journal: Of all three, manifesting has probably become the biggest habit. At least once a day I try to say my little manifestations and take a few minutes to fully visualize the life I want for myself. It’s nice! I like it! And I do think it’s working, as far as noticing nice things happening to me and my mental state being overall more positive. And listen. Not to get too woo-woo here, but whenever I visualize getting a good parking spot at the grocery store, it happens. Every single time, I swear. Meditating has barely been done since January and while I continue to journal when I feel the need, it’s not an every day thing. For now, I’m okay with this.

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Overall thoughts on my progress

I’m feeling pretty good. I still like these goals and want to continue working on them. The year got off to a rocky start with the whole “no job” situation, but three months in and I think I am acclimating and have a clearer vision for my future and where I want to focus my time. All things considered, 2025 has been good to me so far.

Your turn

Have you checked in on your yearly aspirations (if you have them)? If not, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to see where you’re at. Maybe your year has already gone off the rails and the things you wanted in January no longer apply. Maybe you’ve accomplished something amazing that wasn’t even on your list.

Maybe you didn’t bother with New Year’s aspirations/goals/resolutions but now you’re thinking you want some. It’s never too late! Write down some goals for the rest of the year, or even the next 30/60/90 days. Share how they’re going in the comments!