Life and change
Here we are finally in 2021, but will this year be any easier? I’m not sure. 2020 ended very badly for me, change is happening and losing my dad means Christmas will never be the same.
Here we are in January and my children are attending school, but weekends I’m doing extra home-schooling. Teachers are working their hardest to teach the children but issues with social distancing make it difficult.
I’m thanking ‘You Tube’ for help with long multiplication. My son is only nine but home-schooling means I am learning too. Through life I’m sure we all have regrets, one of mine is not working harder at school, I found it difficult, so hated it. I remember guessing answers rather than asking for help. I don’t want my children to make the same mistake. Yes, he is protesting but he is doing very well. Computer games do not help with home-schooling, I do understand, multiplication or ‘Roblox’. At nine I would have preferred ‘Roblox’ too.
With continuing fears of COVID – 19, the worry continues. The country is now being vaccinated but the amount of people dying is still high. We need some good news but everyday there seems to be something else.
My writing
The stress and upset of last year is continuing into this year. I’ve realised, that change can happen in an instant. One moment you think things are going to be alright and then the phone rings and you are hurt again. We can only live a day at a time and we must make the most of it. Some friends will stay with us but others will walk away. At a time when I need support, friends or really not friends have walked away. It hurts but we can’t do anything about those that give up on us, especially when we are already struggling with life.
This year I am aiming to get my book finished. The first draft is written but it needs a rewrite, I’ve been advised to make it humorous. I’m not a natural comedian so I’m not sure how my time travel novel will look and read in a funny style.
My reading
Last year I was doing great with my reading until August when my dad became unwell. My reading slowed down and in November stopped. He’s only been gone two months, I think of him everyday, and cry most days. Keeping focused is hard but I need to be strong and accept change. It still doesn’t feel right that he has gone . They say time is a healer, I don’t think this will get easier, nothing will bring him back to me.
This year I have so far read ‘The Beast of Buckingham Palace’ by ‘David Walliams’ to my seven year old. It is actually very good and worth reading. My daughter and I have been laughing through it.
I need to start rebuilding the books in my ‘Goodreads’ account again.
Plans for 2021
I hope to finally get my book finished and I hope to submit work to more publications. I’ve read we need to aim for hundred rejections on the premise that some could be acceptances.
I aim to read more than last year, the greater problem will be staying focused.
I need to reduce the time I spend on Netflix. Last night at 1.30am I was sat watching season 5 of Lucifer. I must go to bed earlier, too many late nights.
I really hope that the extreme fears of COVID-19 go away as more are vaccinated, and there are no more lockdowns. We all need this year to be better than the last.
I intend to keep doing extra school work with the children. A week ago I purchased Night Zookeeper (please note this is a referral link and both of us will receive £5.00 if purchased). Night Zookeeper helps them with their writing and spelling. It looks good and is worth looking at if you are home-schooling.
A positive outlook
We are in a better position this year then we were last year. Life needs to get better but it will still take time. I need to be more grateful for my alone time, my days are full of working, teaching and supporting my children. Writing and reading fit in around everything else.
Lockdown has brought quality family time, however it feels unbelievable that we haven’t walked to the city shops and bought doughnuts for a year. Things we took for granted are closed from us. We need to remember we are a year closer to being able to safely get back to normal life again.
So, how is life with you?
For more see Loss of my lovely dad and my writing
