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Smiling Shelves

Two New Year's Resolutions I Actually Kept

12/29/2015

8 Comments

 
This blog has been the best way I've found to keep myself on track for resolutions. Every New Year's resolution I've posted on here, I've actually kept! This year, I even accomplished TWO resolutions! So I thought I would celebrate a bit.

Commenting on Blogs

In January, I posted about my resolution to comment on at least 5 blogs a week. Commenting is one of those things that is all too easy to let slip through the cracks, and I was tired of forgetting to do it. I successfully kept this resolution, although it would be more accurate to say I commented on average on 5 blogs a week. Some weeks still got forgotten, but I always made it up later. I have loved being a more regular part of the blogging community through commenting, and I plan to keep this resolution up in 2016!

Book Buying Limit

At the end of 2014, I realized that I had purchased 120 books that year. That was a lot, and certainly more than I thought I had bought. It worked out to an average of 10 books a month. In 2015, I decided I needed to get things under control a bit. So I set a limit for myself of only buying 5 books a month. That would be a total of 60 books for the year, which would be half of what I bought in 2014. I'm happy to say that I successfully held myself to this limit! Like commenting, it really worked out to an average of 5 books a month - some months I didn't buy any, some months I bought a lot. But as of right now (and granted, there are still a few days to go in the year. . .​), I bought only 57 books in 2015 - three to spare!

I'm really proud of myself for accomplishing this goal, because I didn't think it was possible. But now that I know I can do it, I can hopefully hold myself to it for another year! (Although I make no promises.)
Have you successfully kept any resolutions this year, bookish or otherwise?
Let's celebrate!
8 Comments
Monica
12/29/2015 08:37:40 am

Congrats! I am not one to make resolutions as I tend to fail every time. I often have very busy times that I cannot comment on posts... I'm lucky to even get to read all that I follow. But I really try hard when I get time to go back and comment.
Looking forward to a new year of reading and following my friends in blog land! :)

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
1/3/2016 04:58:41 pm

That's why an average of 5 comments a week worked well for me. I could let a couple of weeks go by without anything, then comment a bunch to make up for it. Flexibility is essential! :)

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Debbie link
12/29/2015 08:45:17 am

Good for you! Those are two resolutions I should take on this year.

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
1/3/2016 04:59:14 pm

The book buying limit is rough, but worth it, I think! :)

Reply
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves link
12/29/2015 12:05:11 pm

Congrats! I usually overextend myself when it comes to bookish resolutions and then I don't stick to them all. The wheels have been turning thinking about my goals for next year though -- here's to trying to keep things realistic!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
1/3/2016 05:00:05 pm

Being realistic is definitely important. I hope you figure out something that works well for you! :)

Reply
Jade @ Reading With Jade link
12/30/2015 09:14:59 am

Go you - congrats! I hope you feel accomplished, especially with the book buying challenge.

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
1/3/2016 05:01:01 pm

I still find it hard to believe I actually stuck to my book buying challenge! That definitely provides a sense of accomplishment. :)

Reply



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    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

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