Holy crap! Is anyone else struggling this week? The final week of the year has a certain feel- important, heavy, transitory. It’s relationship status would definitely be: it’s complicated.
On one hand I’m all, “Woohoo! We did it! We made it through the holiday season! Everyone is a ROCKSTAR!” On the other hand… I find it a bit daunting that 2021 is nearly over and there is a shedload to do between recovering from the holidays, regular everyday life stuff, getting prepped for the new year, ambitions, house construction, etc., etc. It feels a little bit like being slowly crushed. As if someone has knocked me flat on my back, placed a shipping crate on my chest, and is filling it with the weight of all. of. the. things.
And yet, we’re all still breathing. At least I hope we all are!
And then there’s the resolutions. “What’s your New Year’s Resolution?!” Personally, I’m less of a New Year’s Resolution person and more of a New Year’s list maker. (Side note, why are lists so satisfying?!) So while I’m not trying to whittle down to one 2022 resolution, the list did start to get a bit out of hand.
I offer to you my current list of 2022 goals, in no particular order:
- I will use calendars and actively plan. A two year break has been quite long enough. The global pandemic is showing no sign of waning, and while I can cut myself slack for not being inclined to plan during that time, it is time for me to accept this “new normal” for what it is. (Devastating but not going away.)
- Finish reading Dr. Nicole LePera’s book How to do the Work and apply what I learn where possible.
- Meditate daily for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Run (or walk if injured) 3 times a week.
- Manage photo and video data on a weekly basis, appropriately backing up and organizing.
- Learn video editing- pick a program and take classes. Including any GoPro specific videography course I can find.
- Earn my American Sailing Association 103: Basic Coastal Cruising certification.
- Learn and practice woodworking/carpentry. (Also, learn appropriate terminology.)
- Complete the house millwork/trim project.
- Build a bench from outdoor project scraps.
- Complete the basement and ½ bathroom renovation.
- Discuss and potentially complete the front porch renovation. (Low priority project)
- Complete finishing touches on the back overhang/porch project- namely gutter, downspout, etc.
- Complete a small boat sailing course (ASA 110 or similar). I need to practice feeling the wind direction and setting specific points of sail.
- Write and/or journal 3-4 times a week.
- Refresh DSLR knowledge. Dust off Nikon and use it at least once a month.
- Cut back on sugar. Yep. It’s gonna suck.
- Complete the cat pillowcase set embroidery project.
- Complete crochet sweater project.
- Take a Procreate class. (The app people, this is not a dirty list. Get yo mind out the gutter! I mean don’t, life is more fun that way, but… yeah, just an app in this case.)
- Take action on t-shirt ideas. Create the designs in a transferable format and select a site for production.
- Complete a copywriting, proofreading, and editing course. If possible, with certification.
Phew! Okay. Twenty-two seems like a good number to stop on. 22 goals for 2022. Some of the goals are fairly small (complete crochet sweater project), while others are a bit… bigger (millwork/trim project… it’s for a whole house! eek!). And some are very much building blocks for a future that hopefully has J and I sailing away. Achieving that goal will 100% require alternative employment and income situations to where we are in present day. And of course, sailing and seamanship skills. (haha, seaman…)
All of that to say, if you feel like life is piling up on you, you are not alone! If you feel stressed or disappointed, or anxious? Not alone! What are your hopes, dreams, resolutions, goals, fears, anxieties for 2022?!
Before anyone succumbs to the weight potentially bearing down on them, remember it is not only okay to but necessary to care for yourself. It is not selfish. My New Year’s wish for everyone is that you may have the time and resources you need to take time to care for you, for what your deepest you is screaming for.
May 2022 be kind to all.
Trial and Error Plus Hope 