How on earth is it already the end of 2022? The whole year was a rush, but this last quarter has vanished in the blink of an eye. It’s almost giving me a case of vertigo!
Spring of 2022 was pretty much non-existent for the blog. I wrote nothing, and was not active on social media until after April. Some of this was in part due to my distraction at life events happening around me, but as I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this was also just a poor excuse on my part. Things did start picking up once I discovered the ACOTAR series and I started doing mainly book reviews, but even still I was not consistent.
Here is a 2022 recap, and goals for Relyks & Wolfcraft in 2023!
Posts
I published 17 posts in 2022 including this one. That’s a pretty poor amount.
Actually it’s abysmal.
There were three movie reviews: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, The Menu, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. And in a similar field, My Top 5 Holiday Movies.
Ten book reviews: Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes. A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Book Lover by Emily Henry. Neon Gods by Katee Robert. Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka. And lastly, Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas.
One lonely game review for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
Finally, two blog posts about the blog itself. Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and the one you’re currently reading.
Goals for 2023
Frequency & Categories
Next year, I’m hoping to publish a post at minimum, every Thursday. That’s 52 posts. However, I’m one of those people that always has to have the volume on the TV in intervals of 5, so I’m going to set my true goal for 60. That seems more than manageable, and if I overshoot that, the better!
I also want to work on rotating categories most every Thursday, so that I don’t burn myself out on one topic. Plus that way I can do multiple things that I love versus say, only reading, when I love to play video games and see movies just as much.
I’m also contemplating integrating a fitness/weight-loss category as I am needing to focus on my health and getting to a healthier weight. But it feels pretty off the beaten path, so I’m unsure of adding it to my blog. All I know is that I need to love myself a little better going forward and that includes some tough love in the health department.
Would love to know what categories you guys would like to see! Should I include a fitness/health portion? Let me know!
More Reviews
I’ve been really enjoying doing the Book and Movie reviews, and I’d love to do more of them!
A personal resolution for me (kind of but not really blog related) is to read 50 books next year. I only managed to read twenty this year, and that makes me sad. There are so many good books on my TBR that I just didn’t manage to get to in 2022.
I also want to FINISH some games. Just like with books and movies, I love playing video games.
Sensing a theme yet?
I only rolled credits on only two games this whole year…
My god, just typing that out makes me sick. I was so excited for Horizon: Forbidden West and then Elden Ring happened… So many games…
In 2023 I am resolved to rolling credits on 5 games. Still a really small amount, but compared to rolling credits on just two (Lost Ember & Pokemon Violet), that’s an improvement. Plus I don’t want to put out an insane and unrealistic goal. I love games, I don’t want to just rush through them to gets to credits for the sake of rolling credits.
As far as movie reviews go, I’d like to do a minimum of 12. One for every month, if not more. I mean, I have a subscription to one of our theaters in town, it would be silly not to put that to work.
And guess what? I already have January’s planned out! Anyone seen Avatar: The Way of Water yet? Well I have a date with it this Friday!
New Logo
I also have made it a personal goal to better create a new logo for my website.
I’ve been using the amazing Canva for most of my graphic needs and creations, but I am an artistic person and have been since a kid. With my pretty recent discovery of an app similar to Photoshop, called ProCreate, I’d love to create something that is purely from my own heart and mind.
Monetization
Another major goal for 2023, is learning how to monetize this blog.
As stated in the, Where I’ve Been post, I’d been treating this blog like a hobby. When in fact, I’d love for it to become my job, my career. It’s a far reach, but I’ve not even been reaching this whole time. And that strikes me as super ridiculous when that was my initial drive to creating it in the first place.
Possible Rebranding
With that being said, I’ve also been considering rebranding. It’s not a guarantee by any means, but it’s something that’s been on my mind lately.
We all have those email addresses we created in Junior High or earlier, and that’s kind of how I’m feeling about Relyks & Wolfcraft. Relyks is a semordnilap. Like stressed backwards, is desserts, Relyks backwards is Skyler, which is me!
Wolfcraft is just my play on the word witchcraft, because I like spooky things.
Relyks & Wolfcraft was essentially me, and whatever I was doing but making it sound cool.
Now, having had my blog for a few years and reading other bloggers sites, I can see how this may have been a mistake. It’s fun for sure, and I love the play on words for both my own name and the other. However, I realize using my true first name and something more familiar may have been the better option.
I’m unsure if I will rebrand. It’s definitely something I will look into more and see if it may hurt me and my presence. That being said, I think if I want to go through with a rebrand, better to do it now when my numbers are low versus otherwise.
I will keep you posted either way.
The Ultimate Goal
My ultimate goal for 2023, is to get closer to being able to quit my 9-5. I doubt it will happen in 2023, but I want to make significant progress toward that end.
As a creative person, my passions are many but in essence, I love to create. I’ve been told by many that I’m good at it and that I should try and sell my art and props I make for things like Dungeons & Dragons. I obviously love to write as well, and it’s not exclusive to blogging. I used to have so many story ideas running amok in my head, and my dream as a kid was to be a writer.
My head may be in the clouds a lot of times, but even then there is a focus, a goal in mind.
My fear has held me back from chasing my passions, but I am going to make 2023 the year of dreams.
I’m going to make my dreams come true. And I hope you will be there when it happens!
Until Next Time,
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As far as healthy habits go, I think if you posted some of your yummy, healthy foods that would be interesting. People love healthy meals that also taste good. I will not miss 2022 and Im looking forward to what 2023 brings. Also really looking forward to your review of the new Avatar movie. I’ve only waited forever for that movie to come out it feels like lol.
Thank you for your feedback! Super helpful ☺️ and yes!!! I’ve waited so long, I feel like that meme of Sirius Black, I’ve done my waiting! 13 years! 😂
I love following people who are real and share about their wins and their struggles in all areas of their life. What if you started blogging about your fitness journey, and if it doesn’t get much attention, then you could stop blogging about it and focus on those posts that grow your blog?
I didn’t know Avatar 2 was out yet, but now I’ll be planning to see it.
Speaking of planning- a dream written down becomes a goal. A goal broken down into easy to accomplish bits and scheduled into your time then becomes reality as you accomplish those small tasks. The smaller the task the easier to move forward.
Some of my goals for 2023:
1. Read through the Bible. I started this in 2022 and made it through 4 books. I started studying more than just reading. I want to be able to say I’ve read the entire Bible and have built a strong relationship with God.
2. Build my savings account.
3. Focus on getting movement in every day that my body will allow it. I would love for that to be 4 – 5 times a week.
4. Start therapy again and make peace with my past and present.
Aww Jodi 🥹 thank you so much for sharing! I try to be transparent and me (dangerous isn’t it 😂) but I am happy that you feel this way!
Those are some incredible goals, and I have faith and confidence in you being able to work toward and obtain them.
I know life has not been easy, but I truly mean it when I say you’re one of the strongest people I know. You got this!
Wow, only 2 games? What did you spend your time on??
When the January PS Plus games come out you should DEFINITELY try Jedi: Fallen Order. Relatively short game and it interesting story, would make for a good review!
Don’t make me scold you in public 😝 but seriously I have no idea! I was all over the place and not organized in the slightest.
I will definitely be adding Jedi: Fallen Order to my list of games to play in 2023!
Thank you!!
I know this comment is late to the game, but I just wanted to say I’m proud of you! Being a fur mama, recently getting married, working a full time job and still putting time towards your passions is an amazing feat. I know you will kick even more ass in 2023!
As far as what kind of blog categories I would like to see… I agree that yummy but healthy recipes that you have tried would be neat. I would also maybe like to see some board game reviews? There are so many coming out all of the time it would be nice to have some guidance through the ones that are actually worth buying and playing (because they can be expensive). Idk, just a thought.
I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings and just know we are cheering you on!
Awww girl 😭 this made me a little misty eyed! Thank you so so so much for these words and believing in me! I couldn’t do it without the support and encouragement of the wonderful people in my life 🤍 I’m so excited to make 2023 my year!!
I will definitely consider the board game reviews! I’m not nearly as well-versed in that genre but they’re very intriguing to me! Thank you for the recommendation!!