I've always loved the start of a new year, event though I know it's arbitrary. I enjoy any time set aside for reflection, connection, and the feeling of a fresh start. A few years ago I started making my yearly lists inspired by the podcast Happier. I started with 18 for 2018. I don't think I've ever finished a list, but I've gotten close a few times, and I also love the process of envisioning what kind of things I'd like to do in the upcoming year. For some reason, New Years resolutions don't work for me, but I like the scavenger-hunt like feel of the 21 for 21.
Over the past week I set aside time to work on my 21 for 21 and have a list I feel happy with. I focused on things that would feel doable regardless of what happens with the vaccine, travel, etc. I found it most helpful to think of the different aspects of life like family, relationships, career, spirituality, etc. From there it was easier to brainstorm ideas within each category.
Another thing that helped me to create my list was to think about my word for the year. I've been enjoying reading about this popular exercise for the new year and hearing a few words from friends. My word this year is connect. For me it represents the idea of connecting to family and friends, the larger community, myself, my values, and nature. You'll see a lot of the connections in the list below:
Here's my 21 for 21 list:
1. Host gatherings adapted to the season.
2. Go on monthly dates with Joel.
3. Go to 5 new parks with Avi.
4. Experiment with work shutdown rituals and less-distracted parenting.
5. Volunteer 6 or more times this year.
6. Take a professional development course over the summer.
7. Create a project for students that experiments with a new medium (e.g. podcasts, green screen video, sketchnote video).
8. Find 10 or more middle grade books I love that are new to me.
9. Embrace spiritual reset days (e.g. shabbos and holidays).
10. Try a POP meeting.
11. Walk a labyrinth.
12. Go on a solo hike.
13: Visit somewhere new in Colorado.
14. Create family fun lists during school breaks.
15. Read 5 or more books from the 2021 Read Harder challenge.
16. Try a Shoes & Brews Social Run.
17. 5 or more monthly experiments (TBD, but I have some ideas for this already).
18. Go on a new to us hike.
19. Plant an amaryllis bulb for winter to add color and beauty to our home.
20. Get a bird feeder and learn five or more common bird species in our area.
21. Try out the idea from The Lazy Genius Way to identify cluttered areas in your house and put away one item from each space every day.
Do you do any of these type of exercises or New Years' resolutions? What are some of the things you're looking ahead to in the new year?
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!
Like the read harder one, I'm doing something similar for 2021. I'm doing a monthly theme and goal list. :)
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