I’ve started a few new pieces of writing in the last month and haven’t finished a single one. Well, at least not to the point of posting or sharing with anyone. My mood on a daily basis has been unpredictable, and I’m in the upside down. What should bring me me joy does not, yet I do t feel too terrible all around. 

I feel the need to clearly set an intention for June and  a few goals. Well… more like anti goals. 

I want to truly embrace being the beholder and let go of worry about the future. I want to live each day to its fullest but with no pressure. Like a meditation, focus on breathing and when a thought flits in my mind, tries to pull me to follow, I want to observe it as one might observe a passing cloud, just noticing the shape and composition until it passes out of view. I want to not take action. I want to embrace stillness, to be present and more easily let go. 

The goals need to match and support this intention. I want to recognize whatever it is that pops up, will still remain relevant in July and August and gift myself a month of freedom to be at peace and potentially explore new territory. 

With that, I promise myself I will not: 

1. Submit new work to publications. 
2. Work on TGLR future plans. Or any future plans for that matter but TGLR is the biggest time suck. 
3. Weigh myself. 
4. Try to write anything new. 
5. Attend any writer workshops or readings or events except for the one feedback event already on the June calendar. 
6. Check on my parents beyond letting them know I won’t be around (and that I’m going to be on vacation).
7. Worry about recycling. 
8. Check in on my book or worry about it. 
9. Log workouts or worry that I am not doing enough physical activity. 
10. Worry about indulging in foods I love or giving in to cravings. 

That’s a fairly all-inclusive list of things I’d like to not do for the next month. With truly actionable things like submitting to publications or weighing myself, it’s easy to say that I could be successful in abstaining from those. But things that have to do with “not worrying” it’s a little tougher because that requires control over the mind. I need to get into the headspace where I’m not thinking about those things or if I do think about one of the things on the list, it’s like I said above, just observe it and let it go.

I came into 2025 with the best intentions, similar to this, but it’s tough to break familiar patterns of thought and behavior. Sometimes you need a little “instead of this, do that.” Which is worth thinking about, ironically. 

I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts lately and maybe that’s it. Read books, listen to podcasts, maybe find a new show to watch. But with no pressure, expectation, or new goal. It can’t be this… I listen to a new podcast and then decide to change some behavior or write about it or make a new goal. It needs to be just for the joy of learning something new (or nothing new). And if I don’t listen to a podcast for the whole month, that’s ok too. 

That’s my point. Just live and let go. 

Can I do it? We’ll see.