New Month's Resolutions: Setting a Daily Writing Goal to Make a Difference for Animals

Do you remember your New Year’s resolutions? Hard to believe, but 2026 is just three months away! Time flies, as they say.

How many boxes have you checked off this year? Just one? That’s actually pretty amazing because most people give up within just a few days. As for me, I didn’t make any resolutions this year… or last year, actually. I guess I’ve never liked the pressure of declaring a big, bold statement. Also, I can’t shake that feeling that I'm supposed to lose weight or wake up at 4 a.m. to prove to others that I am not lazy. Are you nodding now? On top of that, life always gets in the way; all the time for coming up with "It Girl" goals goes to waste. As a result, I’ve leaned into a “one day at a time” attitude so that I have room for flexibility.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking about setting a daily goal, hoping to see a bigger change by the end of the month. Currently, my writing career feels stagnant. There are many things I wish to address, yet they’re often beyond my control. At times, it’s incredibly frustrating. I won’t deny that my so-called efforts sometimes seem pointless. Despite that, when I finish writing one chapter or have an epiphany, a sense of accomplishment strikes me, and that is awesome! Because of that fulfillment, I can keep going. And now, I would like to set an achievable goal for the day to keep going further and further!

While motivational speakers may favor the process, I need measurable outcomes. I know I should be selling more books. If writing were just a hobby, maybe it wouldn’t matter. But I wrote the cat memoir for a reason. 

I reflected over and over, drafting and editing like crazy, all to get my message out there: don’t blame stray cats for being a nuisance in the community when it is humans who put them in that situation; don't punish homeless kittens for being a burden in shelters when, in fact, it is our responsibility to manage the cat population. Furthermore, it's important to realize that issues involving animals are closely related to public health and our safety. 

My book should reach a larger audience to help improve the lives of cats. To make that happen, I may need to approach things more effectively and efficiently.

So, here are my October 2025 resolutions. I’m not sharing these to pressure myself—they’re here to inspire others to care for themselves so they can care for others. The oxygen mask principle, sounds familiar?

1. Hit 1,500 words a day five days a week

I am currently working on my very first novel. This is, of course, to raise awareness of animal well-being through engaging storytelling. Previously, my cat memoir took two years to publish—perfectionism slowed me down. I thought it had to be flawless. But I notice that prolific authors publish rather frequently, and maybe quantity helps their work stay visible. Lucky for me, I find it easier to put words on paper (or my laptop) for fiction because I don’t have to fact-check every detail like I do with nonfiction. Letting my imagination fly is honestly fun, too. I aim to publish my detective story that centers around animals by the end of this year, though no promises. Writing 1,500 words five times a week is doable and will help me avoid falling into all-or-nothing thinking on slower days.

2. Tame my stress-eating habit

Confession: I tend to overeat when I feel anxious or stressed. For instance, when I encounter difficult people or have a series of unfortunate events, I often find myself binge-watching TV shows while eating bags (plural) of chips on my sofa. I do this almost automatically. But it’s time to cope with life's unfairness in better ways. I feel like I am telling myself this too many times. So, obviously, I should finally drag my feet to work on this. And you know, being fatigued is not a great asset when trying to help animals in need anyway. Perhaps I can start by replacing junk food with healthier snacks, like oranges and bananas, which are conveniently rich in vitamin C (a feel-good nutrient!) and tryptophan (similar to happy hormones!). With these power fruits on hand, maybe I don't even have to try to fight off my bad habit?!

3. Increase my book sales by 10% through social media marketing strategies

I’ve taken online courses in digital marketing. Well, the theories sound good and even make me dream of overnight success. But in practice, it takes time (and often money) to boost online visibility. Even worse, current trends can quickly become outdated. For instance, using too many SEO keywords could lead to account suspension these days. Moreover, advancements in AI tools can disrupt our creative works, as often neat texts are flagged as AI patterns, which pushes them down in search rankings like a forgotten relic. Keeping up with ever-evolving digital trends can seem moot. But what else can I do, right?  

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You know, scratch that. I've been putting in a lot of effort, at least by my standards, but it feels like I'm not making any progress—circling around, moving backward, losing the map... I wonder if I'm writing in invisible ink. 

Perhaps, try the new approach: do what I like. If I feel dreadful, I would stop and look for another way. Because there is no guarantee that driving on a bumpy road would lead to a paradise. Spare my energy for something else. That's clever. Would you approve?  

I always seek advice from animals, especially my bunny, when I feel stuck. And it makes things simpler. My bunny doesn't put up with annoyance or discomfort. Instead, thumping, booing, or tossing an empty plate like a frisbee to make her voice heard. Maybe that's the way it is. It is a bit scary, though, because working hard is often seen as a norm or a requirement for success. Yet, according to animals, this could be counterintuitive.

To sum up, this October, I’ll write because I enjoy it, opt for feel-good foods, and treat marketing like a game. Above all, I will surround myself with my favorites and see where it leads.