2021 Goals

I went into 2020 feeling really hopeful, and we all know how that turned out. In 2021, I imagine that Covid-19 will still dictate a lot of our lives, but I think it’s important set targets. I’m trying to be as optimistic as possible that things will be less unpredictable and horrible this year. As always, these are not resolutions – they are goals to aim for.

Go on at least one trip

Obviously this one is completely subject to any travel restrictions there might be, but I’d like to have at least one trip. I don’t care if it’s in-country or abroad, I just want to see somewhere new.

Learn to drive

I mentioned in my previous post that I meant to do this in 2020, and that I’ve been studying for my theory test. I plan to book that sometime in the new year, when I’ve studied my theory book and am happy with my knowledge. I also want to start practical lessons, restrictions allowing, and I hope to have my licence by the end of the year. I’d like to get a car if and when I have enough money saved.

Keep saving money

I did really well with saving last year. I came back from Japan with a decent amount of money left (kind of wish I hadn’t and just blew it all on more Japanese stuff and trying wagyu beef), then I saved all of my birthday money, spent a lot less due to the lockdowns. Even despite joining a gifting group, I’ve managed to hang onto a bit of cash every month so I’ve got quite a nice wedge saved. Most of it will go towards driving lessons and passing my tests, but I want to continue the habit of saving up this year for future things like a car, trips, and my future.

Get back into paid work

I’d applied for a couple of things last year, when people were even hiring, but I didn’t get lucky. I had one call-back which was really promising because they loved my CV, but they needed someone with a driving licence. I was pretty gutted. This year I’m redoubling my efforts to get back into paid work before I stagnate again, and I don’t imagine that my 2020 employment gap will raise many questions as a lot of people ended up out of work or unable to get back into work last year. I am still hoping to hear back from a job I applied to before Christmas, but the hopes aren’t very high as they were supposed to start interviews before the New Year. However, with Christmas and the new tiers coming into place, I hope they’ve been delayed and that I will hear something. I just need a chance.

Exercise at least 3 times a week

This can be going to the gym, having a walk at least 3 miles long, or weights and core work at home. It doesn’t really matter which, as long as I manage at least three times a week. Exercise is very helpful for my brain, but I do have to watch how I go because of CFS. Three times a week seems to be the sweet spot – any less isn’t enough to keep me strong and boost my mood, any more means a lot of pain and being stuck in bed recovering for a few days.

Read at least 15 books

I nearly didn’t complete this last year because of lack of concentration and my general ennui with life. I always like to get a decent amount of reading in every year because there are SO MANY BOOKS in the ‘to read’ pile under my bed. Not to mention all of the books on my wishlist that I want to read.

Complete Yearly Purge

This is an annual tradition of mine, involving completely decluttering my space and mind. I find it super helpful to get rid of stuff and organise the things I keep. I also really need to organise the files on my laptop because they’re a mess.

Get to goal weight

I’m hopeful that this can be achieved this year if I keep going I have been. I set a good precedent last year – I lost almost 2 stone, and only put on 0.88lb over Christmas by some miracle. My goal is a pound a week, slow and sustainable. I’m basically going to continue calorie counting and getting as much exercise as I’m able to.

Create a blog post backlog

For a while, I’ve wanted to write up a bunch of drafts that I’ve got ideas for but just never sat down and did them. Having chronic writer’s block doesn’t help. I need to get back into the habit of writing regularly, so I’m stepping away from posting blogs for a while (unless I go somewhere or do something cool). This is so I can focus on all of my ideas and get a good batch of ~content together to post on a more consistent basis. We’ll see how well that works.

Write in daily diary

I got a day-to-page diary because I always forget what I did in a day (my short-term memory has all but disappeared – again, thanks CFS). I want to make sure I write in it every day this year to see if it helps improve my memory. Secondarily, it might also help to write something every day, even if it is just summing up what happened.

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What are your goals for the year? Please tell me so I can potentially nick them from you!