Goals For 2021
- Kelly McKenna
- Jan 15, 2021
- 5 min read
2020 was a weird year for us all. I think we can all look back and say that we were definitely part of history.
Rich and I are very grateful that we spent 2020 living in beautiful British Columbia. The provincial and federal government's were very clear in their guidance and we have felt safe here.
On a personal level, we made some big decisions last year. At the start of the pandemic we thought it was going to be a short-lived thing. With my working holiday visa coming to an end in August, we created a budget to start saving money and figured that we would head off on a round the world trip in September/October.
It became evident after a couple of months that this plan would not be feasible. Instead, we converted my Canadian status to "visitor" instead of "worker", bought a car, sold everything in our apartment that wouldn't fit in the car and moved to a ranch in Kelowna.
When I finished my job 167 days ago, I had a long list of things I was going to achieve during unemployment. So far, I have not been successful. With that in mind, and with a new year in full swing, I figured what better way to try and stick to my 2021 goals than by shouting them into the void of the internet.
I also believe that goals should regularly be reviewed and amended as necessary, so I will be doing quarterly updates on how I am getting on :)
Goal 1: Make Writing A Priority
This goal will be split into four sections:
Post on this blog at least once a week: After over 1500 days of adventures, I have so many stories I can share with the world. With unemployment hanging over me for at least another three months, there is no reason not to get into a routine of posting something weekly.
Finally write a book: My mum has been telling me to write a book for as long as I can remember. I have three books mapped out in my head and I am determined that this is the year I actually get one of them on paper. I hope to self-publish my first book by the end of December.
Write in my journal at least every other day: I have kept a journal on and off for years and wrote in it almost every day for the 13 months that we travelled. I have been much more haphazard at writing since January 2018 and I would like to get back into a routine of writing daily (I'm giving myself an extra day for times when I pass out after too much wine!)
Read, read and then read some more: It's something I love to do and they say that readers make the best writers. As further encouragement to write, I will be writing a monthly book review post.
Goal 2: Make Exercise Part Of My Daily Routine
I have always been one of those strange people who loves exercising. When I was a kid, I competed for my school in every athletics competition I could enter. I had lofty dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal one day.
Then I hit my teenage years, discovered boys, shopping and alcohol and that dream sadly floated away.
As I've gotten older, I've had an on/off relationship with regular exercise. My build is still naturally quite athletic and it drives Rich crazy that I can exercise for a day or two and get the outline of a six pack.
I am very aware that I'm getting older and that this luck won't last forever. I'd like to start incorporating exercise into my daily routine and making it more of a habit like it has been in the past.
Once the snow melts and we have a more permanent home, I'd also like to start running again, with the aim of completing my second half-marathon next year.
Goal 3: Tackle My Problem With Procrastination
I am SO good at putting things off. This has been a problem that has stretched for a long time. Back in my university days, if someone walked into my room and it was spotless they would undoubtedly say something along the lines of "what time is the essay due?"
When I lived in halls of residence, I once cooked an entire roast dinner for 13 people rather than write the 2000 word essay that was due the following lunchtime.
Probably the finest recent example of this problem is that I've had this post mapped out in my head since the end of 2020. We are now two weeks into 2021 and I'm only just getting around to writing it.
I'm not convinced that this problem is just down to sheer laziness. I think it actually stems from an overwhelming fear of failure.
As in, if I don't start something, I can't fail at it. So it's easier to put off starting it.
I'm not sure how measurable this goal is. I can't quantify it like the rest of them. How does a lifelong procrastinator confirm that they no longer do this?
My first approach will be to explore my feelings around failure and go from there. Hopefully this task won't take me all year!
Goal 4: Complete At Least One Item From My Bucket List
My bucket list is a living, breathing monster that gets longer by the day! The more things I see and do, the more things I want to see and do!
Given the current state of the world, I think it's safe to say that travel round New Zealand in a campervan and visit and help at an elephant sanctuary are probably out!
There are definitely items on there, however, that can certainly be achieved. Number two on my list is write a book so it could be a good chance to meet two goals for the year. Other fun stuff on there that doesn't involve international travel include; go snowshoeing, learn to play pool and visit an apiary.
I'm feeling relatively confident about this one.
Goal 5: Get On A Plane Again*
Alongside being a weirdo who enjoys exercise, I'm also a weirdo who loves flying. I absolutely can't wait to have that nervous excitement again and the knowledge that I'm heading somewhere for another adventure.
If it turns out we can't fly again this year, we will make the most of doing more travel around British Columbia.
Our 10 day road trip around the province was one of my favourite experiences of 2020 and we've only just scratched the surface of what this incredible place has to offer. I've already planned about 5 trips for us to do in BC this year and I'm finding out about new places every week.
This is the goal I'm most looking forward to achieving.
*Needless to say, this one is if it is safe to do so.
And that's that. Five goals. Twelve months. Four quarterly updates. Wish me luck!
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