(but then like immeeeeediately I start to go hmm... maybe I only read big books in 2026? *baps self on nose* no!!! no!!! no goals! qualitative only!!)

i do, however, have a related writing goal: to review more books. it fell off once i started translating full-time in part because, again, i am reading less challenging books that require less analysis. my reading goals are qualitative, not quantitative. it'll be interesting to see the outcome!

so while i'm still going to track my reading in 2026, i am not going to set a books-read goal. i may track pages read, but even that is beside the point. i want to enjoy reading, relieve stress, and deepen my understanding of and appreciation for literature. those are my only goals

human beings like to quantify things. reading a book a week is a nice, round, easy goal. but i also have other reading-related goals, like to read the book of jacob by olga tocarczuk lmao. that'll take a month at least

but i have also read books that are generally less challenging this year, likely for the same reason: the texts i read in my second language at my day job challenge me, and tackling another dense text after work is less than relaxing. all this has me reflecting on what my reading goals *should* be

I do use it! Have for more than a decade. There is a fairly sharp learning curve for its complex features. But if you just open a blank document, it's just a word processor. I think using it for a while *as* a simple word processor is the best way to explore the bells and whistles organically.

far be it from me to discourage anyone from buying a typewriter, BUT afaik scrivener doesn't even directly access the internet so is probably still the best option here. people dislike it for being too complex but it is also perfectly functional as a simple word processor if that is your jam!

I picked up a copy of The Artist's Way last weekend and am finding it instrumental to constructing my own habits and identifying my needs as a creative person. not all of it is applicable to me and i'm not being shy about amending my approach to these tips, but undoubtedly it is a helpful tool

my intention is to push myself and build habits. I don't expect to actually do all of these daily, but I do expect to TRY to do them daily, and that feels important. if writing is important to me, I have to prioritize it! the word count doesn't matter. the intention does.