My goals were very insular for 2020. I described them in full back on December 28 but for this recap an update, I've abbreviated. How have I done so far?
Get my own health in a better place
I'm not having great success here other than I am cooking perhaps bit healthier since DH was given strict orders to reduce his salt dramatically. I've not lost any weight, and haven't yet increased my exercise. This needs to be a February focus.
Better self care
I've still not colored my hair, but partly because I am trying to decide if I'll just let it go natural. If I do I'll want to cut it short, and I'm not ready to do that. The most I have done is give myself a self manicure and did my nails. This too is an area that needs some February attention.
Continue to develop and nurture friendships, new and old.
I've been going out for Trivia on Wednesdays and we even threw a little party for our friends birthday who was alone since her husband was away for work and her daughter is away at school. I scheduled the February candlelight hike with my soup mom friends for next weekend. And, under the wire, I got a lunch date booked with an old work colleague/friend who I haven't seen since summer.
Prioritize spending on things that give us joy or are an investment in our future.
Other than life basics, college costs, some entertainment/meals out and gifts for other people, we haven't been spending. I really need to use what we have already to make the changes I want to see and feel in our house, and tuck money away towards the larger expense that will add value to our home. For the future, of course college tuition for DD2 is that for her, and we are both back to putting 30% of our income into our 401K. With three checks this month, I put a nice chunk away. The large take homes the last quarter of 2019 were sure nice though, but I know in the long run, the decrease in take home will be much better.
I started the envelope system for Christmas 2020, tucking $125 away. I'm also trying to drop all our change in the croissant and baguette canister, even though it no longer is a metaphor for the France trip. Now it will go towards our Las Vegas trip. It's nearly full, so I'll get coin wraps and see how much is there this month.
Invest in my own gifts and talents.
Fail. With the January blues, I have been "nesting" as CheapChick so politely reframed my laziness. I've done little on my book and haven't played with my camera at all. However at work, I have put together the outline for two different major projects, complete with baselines, targets, benchmarks, and a timeline. I will toot my own horn; I am pretty darn good at project management and maximizing enterprise resources. If I could just harness that to home organization, I'd be set.
Greet each day with possibilities rather than look for problems.
I really have tried to put a smile on my face most days, even when all I'd like to do some mornings is pull the covers over my head and stay there all day. I didn't even take a sick day, despite waking up several days with a pretty powerful headache. I think the nesting when I could, at the end of the day, or on weekends helped me get through January. While not on vacation myself, I love the glimpses I am seeing of DD1's trip. I had a couple really long calls with DD2 as she tries to figure out her schedule for next year, her housing, and ideas of when she will study abroad and apply for internships. Communication with DS has been spottier, always is, but we had a little text chat about movies and film style. All is good. He's got steady enough work for the time being and is staying ahead of his bills, rather than juggling them.
February is very scheduled both at work and with my personal life. Two family weddings within a month of each other and events surrounding fill in dates pretty quickly. Weddings are joyful. We get to hear our youngest sing this month and that too brings me a lot of joy. January was a long month, but I ended up fairing well at least, fair. I'm ready for a fresh month.
I think you're starting to hit the right balance as we have to understand that we're probably not gonna hit 100% of our goals and that's ok too. And it seems your nesting did you a lot of good - and that's proof of the pudding isn't it!
ReplyDeleteI never expect to be totally goal driven or successful. These were more life guides than goals anyway, so any improvement is a good thing in 2020.
DeleteSometimes looking at the big picture is overwhelming, but when you break it down into small steps like you've done here they seem easier to meet. Best wishes to you on meeting all of these goals in 2020.
ReplyDeleteHopefully with January done and picking up another few minutes of light each day-and just maybe some sunshine, I'll get more ambition. It is sunny as I type this!
DeleteMaybe you could use your management skills on your house. I have to looking at small stacks of stuff when working on my stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou would think-but no one is cutting me a paycheck at home, LOL.
DeleteYou survived the longest month of the year, literally and figuratively so February, well, you've got lovely things to look forward to. Plus extra sunlight really helps with longer days. I nested a lot in January as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is my only February weekend without anything on the calendar, and good thing as my stomach is not cooperating. One more nesting weekend and it is full on.
DeleteDon't be too hard on yourself, I think Dec/Jan are a bit of challenge as often our routines are thrown out and weather is at the extremes. I need to focus on my health this month too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not disappointed as these were more of a guide than goals. Self care and health care though need some attention.
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