2021 Goals: January Check in
I started off 2021 by making some simple goals and posting them in my stories on Instagram. But I think referring back to them and doing check ins throughout the year is important. Mostly to remind myself of what they were. Because if they just live in the archive section of my Instagram and I never look at them... I will definitely forget.
So here they are:
Personal Goals:
- Read 50 books
- I love to read but have been really uninspired the last few years. By setting this goal I hope to pick up and try to read different books to find my love of reading again.
- Take more pictures with me in them and of me and my husband together.
- When I went back through my photos from 2020 there were very little of me. Granted, we were in a quarantine during a pandemic, but even the few day trips and activities we did - I didn't take any photos. That needs to change.
- Take a ballet class
- I danced from age 3 to age 18 and absolutely loved it. I miss it a lot and just want to feel the freedom of dancing again. Luckily many studios now offer online classes - I just need to pick one!
Business Goals:
- Follow my own inspiration and heart when baking and growing my business
- It can be hard to not think you have to follow a certain mold or use certain techniques. It can be even harder to say no to people when your ultimate business goal is to spread happiness and love. But my own sanity can't be compromised.
- Hold one pop up shop
- I hope to accomplish this when we finally move and settle into our long term neighborhood. I can't wait to grow my customer base in the area I will be living in.
- Release two pieces of merch.
- This will be a challenge! Finding manufacturers is stressful and expensive. But I will get there!
Now, here's where I am at as of the end of January....
I have intentionally been taking a vacation from my business. I needed some time away because living with my parents and not having appropriate storage or control of the kitchen was getting frustrating. I have spent my time away resting and working on other hobbies (cross stitching!). I also have been doing some work toward merch. Taking time away has felt really good and it definitely falls under the category of following my heart when it comes to running the business. So I am not unhappy with the progress toward my goals.
My personal goals made much more progress. I read 5 books this month and I enjoyed all of them immensely. I even started a book and when it didn't catch me I put it down and picked up one I was more interested in. That is a big deal for me. Usually I would try to slog through it and then it would make me tired of reading. I felt that I was failing if I didn't like a book or couldn't get through it. And what a silly concept. I am not going to like every book I try to read, and it is ok if I don't finish it.
Actually, thinking about this has made me realize the moment I had a fall out with reading. A few years ago I read IT by Stephen King. I can not handle scary movies but it was a big deal in pop culture so I decided to read the book. But I found the second half of it to be so boring. It was slow and dragged and I stopped enjoying it. So I put it down, and I was disappointed. And I felt weird picking up new books when that one was left unfinished.
But that is my intention with this challenge. I need to read 50 so it's ok to put down books or stop reading books that I am not enjoying. That does not mean I am a failure!
You aren't a failure either, in case you needed a reminder.
Here's to February!
