Last Updated on 1 May 2023 by Colette
At the start of each year I write down a set of goals or intentions for the coming year – usually much earlier than this but the last few weeks have been a bit crazy and I didn’t really feel like “looking forward” to the year ahead to be honest.
I don’t really like resolutions as such – I’m 40 now and I’m pretty settled with the fact that I am who I am. Yes there’s things I’d like to change, but I also know that the coldest, darkest, longest month of the year probably isn’t the right time to start a harsh new eating regime or try to pick up a new habit. This has never been more true than in January 2021 when we have just been placed under another national lockdown and are facing weeks of restrictions and school closures. Dry January, or banning chocolate definitely don’t need to be on anyone’s radar right now!
This year my goals are pretty low key (and uninspired) and even as I’m writing them, I know that they may not be achievable through no fault of my own – but if I put it out there then at least there is some accountability and something to aim for.
In no particular order my goals for 2021 are:
1. Actually leave the country
After a year of cancelled plans and disappointments (with no less than three foreign trips missed), this year I’m keen to dust off my passport and leave the country at least once! At the moment I’m not sure how realistic this goal actually is but we do have some vague plans to aim for! (You can read about our travel plans for 2021 here)
2. Earn enough and earn regularly!
I have a financial goal most years – sometimes it’s a tangible numerical target, other times it’s more about stability and having a steady income. 2020 was a tough year financially and one none of us could have predicted or prepared for. 2021 will be about trying to get back on our feet, rebuilding business etc and just hoping we make it through with our finances relatively intact.
3. Cycle 200 miles through the year
Last year I set myself the target of being able to cycle 20 miles – I achieved this twice, once with the kids and once with just Dave and I. Both times were really hard!
Through 2020 I cycled a total of 101 miles (though in fairness I only got back on my bike in August so that’s actually a total of 101 miles in three months) and the year before that I think I’d done about 40 miles. So for 2021 I’m going to aim to double it and cover 200 miles over the year – be that in 6 mile loops around the block on my own or 20 mile rides with Dave, every mile counts right?
4. Finish off half-written posts in drafts
Might as well keep this on the list for another year . . . it’s practically the law for me to have this as a goal. I’m starting the year with 37 draft posts and as I said in my review of my 2020 goals, I don’t think I will ever hit “draft 0” just because of the way I work but hopefully I will be able to either finish off or just delete some of the posts I’ve got sat in draft right now!
5. Go to the cinema on my own
This is something I’ve never actually done – and something which was on my list for last year and in fact I think the year before. I fully intended to take myself off to the cinema occasionally during the day but then never managed it – mainly due to timings – and then of course Lockdown meaning that it was no longer an option. Who knows if or when going to the cinema will be an option again but I do really like the idea of going
6. Tick off some more jobs in the house
Dave and I have quite the list of bits and pieces that need doing in our house – from fairly minor tasks that just need a few hours of motivation and some gloss, to the more major things like replacing windows or re-plastering rooms – of course those will depend heavily on us having the available cash and being able to book tradesmen to do it (or in the case of the windows, my Dad having the time!)
7. Survive
Honestly, whilst that sounds like I’m being quite flippant, and I suppose in some ways I am, just getting through the year in one piece will feel like an achievement. I have started the year a bundle of breathlessness, sighs and anxiety – so really setting goals and looking forward to the coming weeks and months just feels overwhelming. Really I just need to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, keeping my head down and getting on with it – doing what’s right for me, for Dave and for the kids – and we’ll only know that as we go along. So, if I get to the end of this year and write my annual update to find that I didn’t achieve any of my goals at all – then it won’t matter, as long as we are all still here and smiling I’ll have won.
Have you made any resolutions or set any goals for the year?
You can see how I got on with my goals here: Checking in on the low key goals I made for 2021
