We’re over half way through 2025! Somehow. These last couple months in particular have been a whirlwind, with Summer holidays, gigs and all the rest. It’s easy to get lost in the fun of it all, which, if you’re self-employed and somewhat easily distracted, can be an issue.
Fortunately, I prepared for this. At the start of the year I was reading a book called ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. It’s all about stacking small changes in your life to achieve greater results in the long term. I’m usually a bit suspicious about self-help books, but there’s some genuinely helpful and actionable ideas in there (here’s a link).
Anyway, in the book he mentions a bi-yearly check up he does to make sure he’s staying the course with his habits. I think this is a brilliant idea, and as it happens I wrote a blog post back in January about 12 resolutions I made for the year.
So, how are my ‘Twelve Twelve’s’ going? Brace for impact. I genuinely haven’t looked yet.
- Write and release 12 songs
…ouch. Okay, officially I’ve released one – ‘The Half a Song Blues’ (thanks for listening!), but I did also release a demo called ‘Dusty Things‘ on my Soundcloud. Which is still only two. Hmm. I have finished writing a lot of songs, and there’s a solid plan to have a bunch of them out before the end of the year, so there’s still hope yet.
- Record and release 12 videos
I’m doing slightly better on that front. On YouTube I uploaded a video diary, which I should follow up actually, and a Blue Bench session with my friend Ben McCollum – a video that I’m still very proud of. There should be at least one more of those up before years end. On Instagram/Facebook I’ve recorded a couple of silly promo videos/songs for gigs, and just this evening I’ve uploaded a live take of a new song on YouTube. We’re looking at 5-ish videos so far then.
- Share/post on social media at least 12 times a month
Phew, that’s more positive. I haven’t kept very good track of this, but I know I’ve been well above that target these last few months. It was however very tricky at the start of the year when I had less going on – I’m not really willing to make content for content’s sake, so I’ll need something to occupy myself with next Jan/Feb that’s worth sharing… I have been considering looking for some kind of musical residency abroad. We’ll see.
- Learn 12 songs
‘Harvest Moon’, ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Take On Me’, a few other songs I don’t remember from various Jam Night’s… not bad, but there’s some work to do here. Feels like a good idea to have fresh music in your head and under your fingers for songwriting purposes/general musicianship. Plus, neuroplasticity and all that. Gotta keep the brain learning.
- Play 12 new venues
I’ve played 15 new venues this year. Unless you count the performances at Glastonbury Festival as one, and discount a garden party, then it’s 13. Good going!
- Write 12 blog posts
Well, some are better than others, but we’re at 7 now. I’m pleased that I’m averaging one a month. I’ve been really enjoying writing them.
- Watch 12 new movies
I’ve noticed that I wasn’t very precise when writing these resolutions. Does ‘new’ mean movies that came out this year, or ones that are new to me? This is very annoying, and it gets worse when I consider that I’ve watched some ‘new’ movies at the cinema that technically came out last year (‘Anora’, ‘We Live In Time’, ‘Nosferatu’). Ugh, nevermind. I’ve watched a whole bunch anyway; it’s one of my favourite ways to relax (give me a shout if you’re on Letterboxd! Here’s my profile with all my various movie opinions).
- Finish 12 video games
Outer Wilds is astonishing. Mario Odyssey is great fun. Animal Well was challenging, sometimes tedious. Oblivion is… yet to be completed. I’m stuck as a vampire and the questline to remedy it is bull****. Twelve might have been a lofty goal here.
- Listen to 12 new albums
There’s ‘new’ again – what does its mean?! Argh. Since passing my driving test in March I have listened to dozens of albums in the car that I’d never heard before; the journey time from Bristol to Weston is usually about one album length, which has been very convenient. However, all of those have been on CD’s, which I typically buy at the charity shop i.e. not new music. I did enjoy listening to Lorde’s new album the other day. I’m pretty sure that’s it for 2025.
- Read 12 books
As I mentioned up top, ‘Atomic Habits’ was a great read for me personally; I’m always trying to automate more positive and productive behaviour into my day. I loved reading ‘Paul Simon: The Life’ by Robert Hilburn, an exhaustive tome about one of my all-time songwriting inspirations, as well ‘Nocturnes’ by Kazuo Ishiguro, a collection of poignant short stories all featuring ‘music and nightfall’. ‘The Flame’ and ‘Book of Longing’ are fantastic collections of poetry and art, created by the late, great Leonard Cohen. I’m probably not hitting twelve by the end of the year, but I’m much happier with my reading overall.
- Cook/make 12 new meals
I have a feeling my partner will scrutinise this target the most… but I’m doing okay, I think. I made my first Lebanese Tabbouleh the week before the last, which I have to say was incredible. Lots of fresh herbs and veg, mixed with some bulgar wheat and all sorts of fun garnish, served in a pitta. Mmm. I’m following a recipe of course, but still. Other than that I’ve made stews, broth bowls, the odd chilli amongst other things. Living in Bristol it is a fair bit kinder to your bank account making nice food at home.
- Visit 12 new places
Another vague target. I suppose it’s about geographical places I’ve intentionally been to see. This year it’s been all about the coast! I’ve been to Falmouth, Pembrookshire and Dawlish, the water at which was cold to coldest respectively. In Bristol I climbed to the top of Cabot Tower, which lends an incredible view of the city, as well visiting Snuff Mills for my birthday with my mates. That was a lovely walk.
It’s apparent to me now that the ‘twelve’ part of the equation is kind of meaningless for a lot of those resolutions, and somewhat unquantifiable for others (whoops). I was largely aware of that when I wrote them anyway, it was always just a guide. It’s working too, I’m pleased that a lot of the personal targets feel redundant in hindsight; I haven’t let career ambitions get the better of me. Having said all that, the numbers do paint a clear picture that I have some work to do professionally with learning, writing and releasing songs. It’s quality over quantity, yes, but it’s consistency too.
Anyone fancy an EP in August? Stay tuned.
P.s. I probably won’t do a blog post like this again. Unless people like it, I suppose(?). Holding myself accountable publicly is useful, but it felt a bit show-y off-y at times. Or maybe it’s just a boring read? I get that it’s my blog but this one in particular felt very ‘me, me, me’. This is daft isn’t it? Apologies. Thanks for reading.