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I need to be honest. I almost didn’t make goals for 2021. With the pandemic still in full swing, I just didn’t see the point, as lately I hardly feel in control of anything.
I didn’t want to get excited about a list of goals, only to have the world turn everything upside down again. After all, three of the goals I was most enthusiastic about last year didn’t work out, whether directly or indirectly because of the pandemic.
However, I let this thought marinate for a few days and I got some perspective. I realized that while I have no idea what travel will look like this year, there are still plenty of things I enjoy and can actually do right now. No leaving the house or socializing required!
So, like many years before (even predating this blog), I did end up putting a list together. Below, I am sharing my nine New Year’s goals for 2021. This is down from my overambitious ten last year, as I slowly work to reel in my perfectionism (crap, is that a tenth goal??).
My 9 New Year’s Goals for 2021
1. Learn How to Make Cream Puffs
A lot of people seem to be under the impression that cream puffs are easy. For example, in sports when you’re playing a bad team, sometimes someone says something like “you’ll beat them, they’re a bunch of cream puffs”. Or maybe that was just something my dad used to say?
Anyways, after years of watching various baking championship shows, it seems like maybe there is more to cream puffs than people really know. You have to make this special pâte à choux dough, which seems pretty tricky. I’ve been intrigued by this for quite a while.
I think it’s time I finally try my hand at cream puffs, and maybe add a new baking skill to my arsenal.
2. Meditate More
Meditation was something I tried to implement into my morning routine in 2020, and for a while I succeeded. However, fall tax season came, followed by the holidays, and everything fell apart.
That said, I think morning meditation was helping my mental health, if for no other reason than it was a moment to pause before jumping onto technology for the day. These days, turning on my computer is often the very first thing I do when I wake up. To counteract this, adding meditation back into my mornings is definitely on the agenda for 2021.
3. Read 12 Books
My annual book goal is back again! I have never actually reached this goal, but maybe this will be the year. Here is what I have read so far:
- Big Magic (I actually re-read this, it’s one of my favorites)
- All the Light We Cannot See (a novel that largely takes place in WWII France. I’ve been trying to read more fiction lately)
4. Continue Studying French
My study of French was still present in 2020, but majorly slowed down as I obviously had no international travel lined up to keep me motivated. I’ve picked it back up again in 2021, and am so far on a 25-day Duolingo streak. I also make flashcards to learn vocabulary and listen to native speakers on Easy French’s Youtube channel.
5. Make another layer cake from scratch – Done
This is technically already complete because I made a chocolate layer cake for my birthday. Maybe I’ll do another one this year though!
6. Pick Blueberries
This may seem like a modest goal, but it’s on this list for a reason. Every year my husband and I want to pick blueberries, but by the time we get around to it, blueberry season has ended. This year I am being super intentional about it, and come June we are gonna pick us some blueberries!
7. Stop looking at my phone during the first half hour of the day
This one’s gonna be a toughy because my phone is my alarm clock. Maybe I’ll make an alarm clock exception, but ban every other phone activity for the first half hour?
I honestly need to kick this habit, because I start my screen time way too early, and then I’m basically at it all day. Personally, I think many of us could do with less screen time.
8. Post one blog post a week
I think I’ve actually missed a week this year already, but never mind that. One post per week is still, and always has been my goal. I have an ongoing list of posts I want to write about, so stay tuned!
9. Buy a new camera lens
I largely use one wide angle lens for my Sony A6000 camera, but I’d like to add to my arsenal this year, and see if I can learn some new skills. I’m eyeing a 50mm, but if you’ve got a better idea for a lens that takes great travel photos, I’m all ears.
• • •
As you can see, I’ve made no travel goals, as things are too unpredictable right now. I couldn’t begin to speculate on what things will be like this year.
That said, I think I’ve got a pretty good list here, and I’m looking forward to trying some new things in 2021.
Do you set goals for the New Year? Perhaps we have a few in common. I’d love to hear them below!
