So long 2020, you will not be missed. 2020 was a rollercoaster in every possible way. It felt like the world came to a standstill as Covid reared its head. Nevertheless, this is a new year, and while we continue to adhere to the rules and stay safe, there is no reason to not hope for better days ahead.
December was a lowkey month. Most of it was spent working, being festive, and making the most of the holidays. This girl also managed to finish one final book for 2020 and it was the best book to end the year. After promising to be more active on the blog, I’m sad to say I was not nearly as productive as I’d hope, but hey, it’s quality over quantity, right? Here is what I got up to in this very late recap.
Books
- 1st: Ones to Watch – December Book Releases
- 29th: Top Ten Tuesday – Favourite Books of 2020
Discussion
Music
- 12th: Weekly Playlist #2
December Highlights
Life: Welcome to lockdown 3.0. Wales entered lockdown on the 20th of December and will be staying in lockdown for the foreseeable future. It’s necessary to get things back under control. Thankfully, as has been the case throughout, I’m still working. However, December, in general, was a chance to unwind and relax. I spent most of the holidays with a glass of wine/gin and watching festive films and TV specials. Quiet, but a chance to recharge the batteries.
Music: Short and sweet, December’s musical highlights were festive tunes, Taylor Swift dropping another album, and more SPYAIR.
TV/Films: Admittedly, beyond watching a couple of festive films, I fell into a bit of a slump when watching new shows/movies. Sometimes, it’s just nice to have something on in the background while you do other things, so I didn’t watch anything memorable.
Books: I ended the year with Jade War causing mass stress and heart failure! Yes, I know I’m dramatic, but this book is an absolute treasure, even when stabbing me in the heart! Now, for the much-anticipated wait for Jade Legacy while I cry over Anden, Wen, Shae, and Hilo, and pray nothing happens to my favourites.
Favourite Posts in December
- Sophie @ Me and Ink shared her favourite shows and movies of 2020.
- Kate @ Reading Through Infinity put together a collaborative post, that I was fortunate to take part in, spotlighting the books that improved our 2020.
- The 24hryabookblog talked about book buying and tracking finances as a book blogger.
- Kat @ Life and Other Disasters finally understands the gutwrenching pain that is Beartown and shared her thoughts in this brilliant review.
- Nyx @ Drizzle and Hurricane Books spotlights the Do’s and Don’t of Book Endings.
- Shealea @ Shut Up Shealea shared a brilliant list of 2021 Books by Asian Authors.
- Sofii @ A Book A Thought is busy putting together a definitive book blogger list.
2021 Goals
Trust in my Abilities: It’s safe to say I am my own worst enemy. I’m the kind of person that’s great at listening and supporting others, but terrible at following my advice. There’s always this seed of self-doubt that goes into pursuing an interest or applying yourself to something new, and when you overthink, which I’m prone to do, that result often leads to a deflating feeling of not being enough. So, this year, I’m looking to adopt a can-do attitude and trust in my abilities.
Learn a New Language: I am very fortunate to have the luxury of being fluent in both Welsh and English, and when I travel, I always make a point of learning at least some phrases in their native language. The Japanese language has fascinated me for years, so why not try my hand at learning it? Now, learning a new language is a commitment, and there is no chance of building a level of fluency overnight, but having a basic understanding and foundation to grow is a good starting point. So, to all of you language learners, what are the best resources for learning a new language? Which language would you like to learn?
Read What I Want: Okay, this one is very generic, but for someone that does not read as much as she used to, I think it’s important to focus on reading what you like and read it when you want to. Reading should never be about the statistics or the latest trends, but a celebration of the escapism we find in exploring new worlds. So, this year’s mission is to read what I want, read widely, and tackle the backlog of books that are gathering dust on the bookshelf.
Celebrate the Little Moments: We’ve all got big dreams and aspirations, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of celebrating the little moments. Sometimes it’s about the journey and not the destination and celebrating those small moments that made you smile is crucial. So, this year I’m choosing to celebrate any small victory. From discovering a new band/author/TV show, or just having a generally good day, I want to remember those moments.
Stay Active: 2020 was such a rollercoaster of a year, and in many ways, it just felt like you were stuck and couldn’t go forward in anything. Thanks to my rural surroundings, I’ve always been an avid walker and, there is nothing more relaxing than getting fresh air to clear the head. Beyond that, I started being consistent in working out and enjoyed it, so I want to keep that going.
My Midnight Musing 
Thanks for sharing my post, Lois! You truly were the person who gave me the final nudge to pick up the book haha
How’s Japanese and duolingo treating you? I have taken a small break from Norwegian and dove back into French and Spanish. I tend to hit walls where my brain doesn’t want to take any more info in and then I pause it for a bit. The thing is, I think my comprehension is getting better, but I cannot for the life of me build sentences on my own haha when the app makes me write things, I just wanna disappear.
I like your 2021 goals! Hope all your dreams for the year come true ❤
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I’m glad you got to experience the emotional turmoil haha.
So far, so good. It’s surprisingly addictive tbh but the mix of hiragana and katakana can get confusing and the many variations of the same word are mind-boggling, but also similarly reminiscent of Welsh haha.
Here’s to a kick-ass 2021!
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Thank you to Taylor Swift for dropping that album. I didn’t know I needed it, but I did! I’m sorry you’re in lockdown. We aren’t really here for the most part, but there are some restrictions. I wish there were more. Good luck on all of your 2021 goals.
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It’s like she knew the world needed a gift to end the year.
The lockdown was inevitable, and I’d rather we get on top of it now so we can get through to some brighter days later.
Hope 2021 has been kind to you so far.
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That Lord of the Rings meme is very suitable but hopefully 2021 will become a better year. I’m glad December was able to be a ‘recharge’ month for you as they can be so important and we all need time to relax in some way. ahh.. I am hoping to start Jade City soon (maybe next month), I’m so glad you loved the sequel !!
Thank you so much for sharing my post, I’m glad you enjoyed it 💕
I really loved reading your 2021 goals, I think they sound really good and important. I loved how your prioritised positivity and doing things that help yourself in some way. Best of luck with all of them 💕
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That meme just made me chuckle. Anytime I can fit in a Lord of the Ring reference, I’ll do so haha.
Ooooh, I do hope you enjoy Jade City as much as I did.
I feel like our minds are always focusing on the things that we could have/should have/would have done that we forget to celebrate the small victories.
I hope 2021 has been kind to you so far. 😀
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Hope 2021 will prove to be the year where you’ll get to blog and read as much as you hope to do on a monthly basis! I know many of us wouldn’t mind seeing you around more often too! 😀 Also hope you achieve those goals and remain safe too. Things aren’t looking that pretty nowadays, since that new strain of the virus, in your corner of the world! 😮 Happy New Year! 😀
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I really feel like I need to have a structured plan for my week so I can actually fit in the time to blog haha.
The lockdown was inevitable tbh. Let’s just hope we can get on top of things sooner rather than later. I hope 2021 is being kind to you so far. 😀
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Lois 🥺✨✨✨ First of all, thanks for mentioning my post, you don’t know how happy it makes me that you liked the idea of the project !! ❤️ & I LOVE your goals, many of them should also be put into practice myself, especially Trust in my Abilities! I know you’ll do amazing this 2021 😍
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Thank you so much!! ❤ ❤ I really do need to be kinder to myself and I figured writing that down would serve as a good reminder. I hope 2021 has been kind to you so far.
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