Mid December.
I can’t believe it. I say this every year. I mean it every year: how does time fly?!
Usually around this time of year, I start to get really reflective and mull over what I accomplished, what I learned, where I fell short and what’s next. It’s a habit I’ve kept for the last few years, and I’ve even shared it on the blog in 2018 + 2017! I love creating goals, and my 2020 goals are no exception!
I’ve talked about this before, but I love resolutions. I know, I know–how boring. But I love the idea of a fresh start and really thinking about how to change your life for the better. Of course, I’ve learned a few things about resolutions–you can read that in my How To Set Goals And Actually Stick With It post!
My 2019 New Year’s Resolutions: what worked + what didn’t
This year felt calmer than other years, but it wasn’t without its ups and downs.
In fact, 2019 was the year I dealt with a major health issue (which inspired me to write this post on Why Being 100% Healthy Shouldn’t Be The Goal) that made me reevaluate a lot of views I had previously held.
It was the year I got robbed.
It was the year I had some major shifts in perspective about sexuality, monogamy and my struggle to be assertive.
These were all really tough things to work through (and I’m still working through them!).
And yet. It was such a wonderful year.
It was the year I travelled on my own, for the first time. I went to London, England and spent half the trip exploring on my own before meeting up with a friend.
It was the year I bought all of my own furniture. Maybe not the most exciting year for some, but as someone who’s never owned her own bed or couch, it felt so empowering. It felt so grownup.
It was the year I quit the creative job I loved, for a job that felt more aligned to my values.
It was the year I fell in love with myself. Up until this year, I think I always had a mental list of all the things I wanted to change about myself. And this year, I let a lot of it go. The things I used to hate about myself–my lisp, my scoliosis–didn’t seem to bother me as much. I learned to put myself first. I worked hard to let go of an unhealthy relationship with someone I cared about, because our friendship always left me feeling broken. In my early twenties, the love I had for another person would have made it hard for me to say no to them, but this year I was able to put myself first (although it definitely has not been perfect–again, boundaries is forever a lesson I’m learning).
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So How Did I Do With Last Year’s Resolutions?
- Talk less, listen more
- How Did I Do: As a curious, chatty ENFP, I love to ask a thousand questions. But I don’t always fully listen to the answers–I’m already thinking of new questions. While I feel like I can always be working at this, I have learned to be more selective in sharing information, and to repeat back what I’ve heard (or ask them to repeat it if I wasn’t listening). So that’s a good start!
- Block time. Instead of trying to do everything at once, this year I want to batch tasks or goals and put my energy in, one at a time.
- How Did I Do: While I didn’t join a pole troupe, I did write much more this year. I had more routine than the year before, and I spent more time being creative.
- Pay $10,000 in OSAP. I know, I know, it’s the same as last year. But the momentum has stuck!
- How Did I Do: Not as well as I had hoped. Between getting robbed and having to dish out money for a new laptop, buying new furniture and traveling, I didn’t pay much more than the monthly minimum. But I did open an investment portfolio and started contributing to that monthly.
- Write content that matters.
- How Did I Do: this actually might have been my favourite year for content. While the start of the year had me pretty disinterested in cooking + shooting healthy recipes while I dealt with personal issues, it didn’t take long for the creative juices to start flowing! I spent a lot of time learning to improve my photography and styling. I also wrote more personal pieces like:
2020 Goals
My Theme For The Year: Curate
Going in to 2020, I feel calm and content. I feel like I have almost everything I need. I feel loved, I have valuable friendships and relationships. I have a home that I love. I have a new job that I’m putting energy into. So this year, I really want to focus on doing less. 2019 saw me juggling a lot of work: a full-time 9-5 job, 20 hrs a week recipe developing, working at catering events, writing about nutrition, doing freelance food photography. It was great, but it was exhausting.
This year, I’d really like to focus on things that bring me happiness. I’d like to curate my time, my belongings. I’d like to refine the life that I have, and narrow in on the things that really make my heart sing.
With that in mind, here are my 2020 goals:
- Nail my photography. While I think it’s drastically improved over the years, I often struggle with nailing my focus and my lighting. So these will be things I’ll be working on throughout the new year.
- Continue putting energy into The Nourished Mind. I have a lot of love for the blog this year. So much so, that I’ve decided instead of working all the side jobs I did last year, I want to put my extra time into writing and developing recipes for the blog. It’ll mean less money, but hopefully more satisfaction. Expect to see a lot of content centred around healthy gluten-free recipes, self-love, body acceptance, sexual fluidity, sexual health, and relationships. I’m aiming for at least 2 posts a week: one a recipe, and one a lifestyle piece.
- Drink less. After doing Sober October, it really made me come to terms with how much I drink. A glass of wine almost daily, and then easily a bottle of wine hanging out with friends cozy on the couch. While this year was not a year of partying (I don’t think I step foot in a club), I realized I was still drinking a little too much. I’ve often woken in the middle of the night with anxiety, nausea and the inability to fall asleep. Not fun. So this year, I think I want to aim not to drink at night out of habit (we’ll opt for herbal tea!)–and I want to try capping my intake at 2 glasses of wine at events.
- Shop sustainably. I think in 2020 I really want to try to be better with where I’m shopping. I’m not a big shopper, but I tend to go where things are cheap and I don’t have to worry about spilling food on clothes and ruining them. But I have actually been completely inspired by The Birds Papaya to thrift shop. So that will be a plan I’ll try to enforce!
Aside from that, I have some financial 2020 goals I’m working towards. And some fitness goals (hey gym, I’ll be seeing you again!). But overall I feel good about where I’m at, and I want to spend more time in the present. Less lists. Less things to do, things to work towards, things to accomplish.
What are your 2020 goals? What kind of content would you like to see on The Nourished Mind? Let me know in the comments! And be sure to subscribe to the newsletter for the latest posts!
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