21 for 21 so far

    

     Normally I love to reflect at the end of the month. The end of February felt out of routine, and so it took me until a week into March to realize I hadn't set any goals for the month or reflected on February. I thought I'd mix it up and reflect instead on my 21 for 21 list and take more of a yearly lens. 

    I was pleasantly surprised to see that I actually had  made progress on many of the things on my 21 for 21 list so far! 

Made Progress with:

• Hosting gatherings adapted to the season. We've had lunch in the park on nice days and met up with friends for walks and hot drinks outside. 
• So far Joel and I have gone on monthly dates in January and February, which has been great.
• We've been to two new-to-us parks: Kanemoto Park and Sandstone Ranch. Avi LOVED Sandstone Ranch, and the trails are flat enough that she can navigate much of it on her own :)
• I've done some work on shutdown rituals, and less distracted parenting. Having the phone in a basket helps, but I've noticed myself forgetting the habit again. Writing this is a good reminder to be mindful of this. 
• I've volunteered twice to bring food to the Third Monday project for HOPE Safe lots. 
• We have had a tech-free Friday night every Friday except one this year, and have lit candles and observed Shabbos each Friday night. I did not expect how much I would grow to love and look forward to this rest. On Saturdays we minimize tech use, but are less strict about it. 
• I've done one monthly experiment with phone use and less distracted parenting. I started one in February, but it got shelved amidst family conference nights and grades due.
• I've read 3 books from the Read Harder Challenge (The Warmth of Other Suns, El Deafo, and Get a Life Chloe Brown)
• I've inconsistently done the "Lazy Genius" approach to clutter, and my kitchen drawers are much less stuffed :) 

I've completed:

• Planting an amaryllis bulb. I LOVED seeing the plant bloom, and I may just make this a winter tradition. 
• Going on a new-to-us hike. Joel and I went on a hike to Mallory Caves near NCAR in Boulder. It was so beautiful and so fun to be out in the mountains with snow in the trees.

I've been reading the book Tiny Habits and the author really encourages you to celebrate progress on your habits. He suggests this is a key part of cementing the habit. Writing this post reinforced the idea that even though I haven't reflected on many of my habits in February or always been as consistent in setting goals, I've still been moving in the direction I want to this year.