New Year, New Goals
Well, we are officially one week into 2021 and things are still as chaotic, actually probably more, as they were on December 31. I don’t know why I thought this year would feel any different. I was well aware that the effects of 2020 would stay with us for a lifetime and that the bulk of difficulties weren’t going away overnight. It could be the fact that COVID cases are still higher than they were last March or the fact that American terrorists stormed the Capital on Wednesday. In any case, I have been struggling to understand why the beginning of this new year still feels different, less hopeful and slightly somber.
In an effort for my own mental health to stay positive and focus on what I can control right now, it’s best to just note my goals for this new chapter and call it my first post of 2021.
Similar to last year, I wanted my goals to be attainable and not overwhelming. I am well known for picking 35 different things to work on through the year that are ambiguous and challenging to measure. Things like ‘be healthy’ and ‘expand my mind,’ and while those are great things to focus on, I never had a way to track my progress and stay the course to see them through. So, in 2020 I picked two goals and this year, I’ve picked four.
Lose 40 pounds by December 31, 2021
I am fully aware that this is an ambitious goal, but I hope to move very close to it. This may have to be a multi-year goal, but for now, in an eager state, it will stay here for 2021.
Blog at least once a month
I made and reached this goal in 2020 and want to continue with this practice so it becomes more natural. I like writing and find it comforting to express my feelings, and this is the longest I’ve blogged since moving home from France. I’m really proud of myself and hope to get into more of a rhythm and desire to post more.
Read a total of 6 books
This seems wimpy I’m sure to those who love reading, but for this non-loving reader who feels like it’s a chore, this will be a lot for me. I find when I get into a groove of reading, it’s enjoyable and I make time for it, so I’m hopeful that this goal will allow me to get into that space.
Run a half marathon
Just like my blogging goal, this is a carry over goal from 2020. While I didn’t achieve it last year, I want to make it a priority this year. And hopefully, this will help with goal #1! I’ve made a promise to myself that I will complete this whether it means in a organized race or by myself, so at some point in 2021 I will run 13.1 miles consecutively.
So, there we go. I’ve written them down and they are saved on the internet to reference for the rest of my life. I’m starting off strong by blogging in January, I’ve started reading my first book, and I’ve been making time for running, even if it’s short distances. It takes a lot of effort right now to find the joys in life and remember all that I’m grateful for, but seeing this in writing is a wonderful reminder of how the start of this year hasn’t been challenging on all levels.
Here’s to hoping 2021 only goes up from here!
à la prochaine fois,
anna