I’m looking forward to a new year–I love fresh starts, blank slates, and second chances. 2018 is likely going to be a year of facing fears and adapting to change, but I’m ready. Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish:

Priority 1 is the PhDizzle. I’ve worked for 3.5 years toward my degree, and the end is in sight. I’ve gathered my data, and I’ve written up one of my three planned publications. The public presentations required as part of this degree have taunted me ever since I started this journey, but I think I’m finally at the point that my desire to finish is greater than my desire to hide from what frightens me. The next year will be stressful and scary, but I know it’ll all be worth it in the end to have a terminal degree.

Let’s get this kid on the potty. How’s that for switching gears? My next priority is to get Caleb potty trained. Granted, I’m writing this just moments after he pooped in the bathtub, but I don’t think my feelings are just a reaction to that isolated incident. He’s able to communicate and understand well enough that we should be able to get this task done before he turns 3. Wish us luck…and send any potty training resources my way!

Continue the reading trend. As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve re-discovered reading for pleasure, and it’s kind of the best. Reading a real, physical book just feels good for my soul, and so much better than the alternatives (watching whatever weird TV Seth has selected for the evening or online shopping…). The past few months have reminded me of why I chose English as my major all those years ago: I love language as an art form. Plus, I like learning something new from all the non-fiction books I read too!

Expand my cooking repertoire. This isn’t really a resolution or goal, because it’s something that happens every year anyway, but it’s still worth mentioning. I received several (THREE!) cookbooks as birthday and Christmas gifts this year, not to mention a spiralizer attachment for my stand mixer and a few cast iron skillets. As a result, I’m pretty jazzed about getting creative in the kitchen again. I won’t lie to myself and say that I’ll start publishing recipes again because that’s not realistic, given the other priorities on this list. BUT, it would be fun to start using that part of my brain again.

So those are my general intentions for this year–a mix of professional, parenting, and personal goals (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Let’s do this, 2018.