Why I’m not rushing into setting goals in 2021 and what I’m going to do instead

2020 has been an absolute shit show.

But moving into 2021 I’m trying to slow down and not let that voice in my head that is screaming at me to catch up in 2021 and achieve the things I should have in 2020. Instead I’m going lean into 2021 and not set any long-term goals for the year.

This year has taught us that life and normality at the moment is fluid and can change at the drop of a hat and that being adaptable is the name of the game at the moment.

It’s going to take time to recover from 2020 physically, emotionally, mentally and economically and all the other -ally’s you can think of. You are allowed to do less, you don’t have to make up time or achieve the things you planned in 2020.

Your plans (like mine) may have drastically changed so it’s important to take some time, restock and reenergise before moving forward towards whatever it is that you want to do.

These are the things I am going to be doing instead of setting New Years Resolutions:

Reflect. Reflecting on this year, anything I did achieve (I graduated university), on my emotions and mental state.

Self-Care. I’m going to do somethings to take care of myself leading into 2021. I try and do that during the year too, but I feel like we almost need to wash 2020 off ourselves and move forward with a new mindset and attitude.

Practise gratitude. I am thankful that my whole family has stayed healthy and safe, that my grandparents are still with us, that my sister delivered a healthy baby, that they were then able to move to New Zealand and I along with the rest of our family was able to meet her. Being thankful for what we do have rather than lamenting what we don’t has been so important.

Acknowledging my mental health and knowing how to take care of it. My body tells me when my anxiety is flaring up, I get headaches, I break out, I start clenching my jaw. When I find myself with these symptoms I really try and take a step back from life and take care of my mental health.

So those are my non-resolutions for 2021, may the new year be better than 2020.