Believe it or not, we are already past a third of 2017. Yes, it is true! At the start of the year, I set a few simple goals for myself that I had hoped would become a lifelong habit rather than just the usual “New Year’s resolutions” that are usually discarded and forgotten soon after they are made. Well, to recap, here are those goals:

• Worry less, especially over things I have no control over
• Write more, starting with #PostAWeek2017
• Explore a place or experience something I have not done before at least once a month

So, how am I doing so far?

On the “worry less” front, I am not doing so well. I would say this is a big “F”. Sadly, “adulting” is difficult. There are endless bills to pay, decisions to be made, and the realities of life (sickness and death) to deal with. At times, the temptation to stick my head in the sand like an ostrich is too great and I retreat into my imaginary life. But then the alarm goes off and I know it’s time to get up and remind myself that there is still a world of endless possibilities. I just have to focus on those instead.Next up, the challenge to write more. Hmm, if I was to be generous to myself, I would say I score a “D”. Seventeen weeks have passed and I have posted only eight times here! I have five unfinished posts sitting in the “Draft” folder that need to be finished. My only saving grace, if you can call it that, is that I posted eleven times on my entertainment blog, Armchair Paradise, but considering I have seen…ahem…over twenty films so far this year, that is also a pretty poor effort.

As for the first time experience goal, I have done a bit better than the first two. Perhaps a “B+” for now. In January, I participated in the Women’s March on Sydney. February brought a different kind of new experience. A close friend was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in January, mere days before her birthday and she began treatment quickly. I accompanied her to her first chemotherapy session, neither of us knowing truly what to expect beyond what we may have seen in the movies. Her fight continues but all signs are pointing in the right direction so far.

In March, I entered a local photography competition on a whim. My submission made it into the finals. Let’s hope this is the first of many! April brought new experiences that I had been procrastinating on for years: a 99-word short story challenge – no prizes, just for the fun of it; and joining the ANZAC Day dawn service to commemorate our brave soldiers who have served our country in the past and those who continue to serve. I did take on another challenge not previously announced: read at least one book a month. This should not be difficult and I know people who read way more than this. Once upon a time I would read constantly, but my sagging bookcases are a constant reminder that I buy more books than I am reading. Having said that, I am making good progress so I am going to give myself a generous “A” grade. And I highly recommend each of these books too.

So how will I fare in the coming months? Well, May is already upon us and I am hopeful for so many things. Because life will pass me by if I don’t stop procrastinating and meet some goals, no matter how big or small. Hopefully my next report card will see some improvements. Wish me luck!