You weren’t close to family by blood
but you found brothers young
who still surround you to this day.
You pledged to brotherhood in college
and choose a career where you stand
in a line full of brothers in blue.
You’re the most resourceful
and willful man I know.
You could let me be your family too.
It’s time to see how I did on my list of 25 before 25.
1. Go on a caribbean trip
Totally lied lol, we ended up using that money to go to California instead!
2. Figure out how all this self hosting works (how can I find my view sessions?! lol)
It’s actually going well!! Last month, I reached my highest monthly view yet! I also became a member of a few affiliation programs and made $12 from Google Adsense, so slowly but surely I’m figuring it all out!
3. Breakeven on my self hosting investment
One of the things I often discredit is that my books are actually products so the money I make there could be used to counter my self hosting costs. First year, I did not make money, but maybe I’ll breakeven this second year.
4. Sell 100 copies of my debut poetry collection Cracked Open in its first 6 months
Cracked Open is a year old and I am definitely not near 100 sold copies but I do have high hopes that Where I Ache will do much better than my first collection. Fingers crossed!!!
5. Go hiking regularly in the warm weather
I’m hopeful I can get back into hiking this Spring/Summer!
6. Advance my career
I’m actually switching career paths! I’m very excited to be heading in a new, happier direction.
7. Write 125 new poems
In addition to this 50, I also wrote over 50 exclusively for Where I Ache! But I fell short of 125 by a few since I’ve been using my older poems on the blog.
8. Create some healthy eating habits
I don’t have the self discipline for this… lol
9. Be more active with my dog
Had to slow down with the winter weather but I’m planning some doggie park adventures!
10. Go kayaking
I think I’ll try something else this summer, leave some suggestions in the comments!
11. Go to a concert
I went to a Post Malone concert on New Year’s Eve with my boyfriend!!
12. Publish 200 new posts
Still fell short but I actually have switched my posts from 10 times a month to 12-13 monthly so I am posting more content!
13. Dye my hair a new color
Check out my different hair colors through the years!
14. Start organizing for my next poetry collection
WHERE I ACHE COMING OUT JUNE 10TH!!!!!! Guys I am soooo excited!! I’m so happy that this collection is longer than the first and features a lot more diverse content. I’m also so so happy that I got to work with my boyfriend for this project!! Grab your copy of Where I Ache to see his amazing illustrations!!!
15. Surprise my boyfriend (no more details incase he reads this)
This reminds me that I need to do something nice for my boyfriend! He puts up with a lot from me haha
16. Grow Blog and Twitter following immensely (hard to put a number on it right now)
From April 2018 to this April my blog gained 1,810 followers
From April 2018 to this April my twitter gained 2,595 followers
17. Get another tattoo
Since I’m changing career paths I need to be more financially conscious so this is on hold for a while.
18. Attend a sporting event
I also saw a college basketball game!
19. Have half of the finances needed to buy a house
Starting on a new career path is going to push me back a few years unfortunately.
20. Visit another state
Went to California with my boyfriend over the winter!!
21. Visit 20 new places
I think I’ve reached this one!
22. Go to the golf range more often
I’m not as interested in this goal this spring.
23. Go on a boat ride
24. Get stronger so I can start seeing my chiropractor less
I haven’t seen my chiropractor at all this year and I’ve only had a few shoulder flare ups!
25. Have some adventures this summer – fun and carefree!
Summer is around the corner yet again, I can’t wait to get a tan and spend time with my family!! Lots of celebrations coming!
The warm weather is starting to cool off but you want your summer fling to keep heating up, here’s how to stroke the flame.
Act like the weather isn’t changing and keep making plans as you have been. Instead of heading to the beach or a hot summer night concert you can go apple picking, explore a corn maze, and carve some pumpkins. School might be starting up again and schedules will get busier so it’s important to continue to make time for each other and experience fun things together. Even if you’re going to schools in different states you can still plan dates in advance. Have him come up to visit in September and plan a date to see him in October.
Try to learn what their thoughts are about a real relationship. Is it on their mind or are they anti-commitment? Approach the topic gently and in a non threatening way so they will open up and you can get an honest answer.
Along with making fall date plans, you can talk about more serious things that would move the relationship forward. Has he met your friends and family? Have you talked about being exclusive? Talk about holiday plans to have them think into the future without putting on too much pressure.
After testing out the waters, you probably have a good idea of where their head is at. Now it’s time to be honest with how you’re feeling and where you’re hoping this relationship will head. You might both want the same thing but were worried about ruining the bond you have now. It’s important to be honest and direct so that there is no room left for miscommunication. This will help you know if it’s time to really end things or if the relationship can become official.
Debatably Dateable 