2021 Resolutions
This is my first post of 2021 and I wanted to mention what I think is the most exciting part of starting a new year. This is the second time I write this post, the very first time I did, everything I wrote was completely evaporated after my computer was turned off due to battery issues.
Even though I felt insanely frustrated at the beginning, I am trying to find a new approach to these types of situations. From now on, every time things don’t go the way I want I remember myself that I should trust the process.
“Trust the process” is a sentence that I’ve heard a few times by now. Is mostly about trusting that, as long as you work hard towards something, the universe will give it to you in one way or another.
Maybe this second try post is written by the universe, not from me.
Anyway, I want to focus on the topic of today. I am finally ready to share my New Year’s Resolutions. I have been thinking about them for quite a while by now. I am sure that same as I did with the 2020 resolutions, placing them in a public blog post will help me keep track of the progress.
Exercise at least 4 times a week
I proposed myself to be “stronger and healthier” in 2020, but I can see how difficult was that resolution to meet. It wasn’t specific enough, it didn’t have any type of explanation and couldn’t be measured well. After all, I had more healthy meals and ate more fruits, but I didn’t exercise that much.
With exercising 4 times a week I want to really prove to myself that I can push my body to do what at first feels uncomfortable. It also feels easier to follow and verify at the end of the year if I have been meeting these goals.
Listening to music
It feels lazy to write such an unimportant and easy thing to do as a resolution. The truth is, I never listen to music unless I hear a great soundtrack from a TV Show/Movie and decide to find it and listen to it 30 times in a row.
This hasn’t always been this way. As a child, there was nothing that made me feel excited than listening to music. This continued in my teenage years, especially I started finding music groups that aligned more and more with my taste.
However, it’s been a few years since I parked my music addiction. I feel I have been too busy to listen to music and, even when I am actually not, I don’t feel as connected with the thematic I use to listen to during my younger years.
Did you know music increases dopamine? It has a chemical effect on our mind that boosts our mood and helps us being happy. I want to find new music in 2021 and I will try to use small breaks and reading time to enjoy listening to it.
Journaling
At the beginning of 2020, I shared my new organizers of 2021. I was so excited about it. new journal lI decided to share it too Unfortunately, I haven’t been as persistent I would like to.
I have decided make it a goal to write in my journal at least 4 times a week too, If I have nothing else to do, I will just write every silly thing that comes to my mind while I listen to music.
There are millions of articles about the positive effects of journaling in order to keep my thoughts in place and allow to self-reflect which are both very important!
Record Myself
Record someone talking would have been Medieval torture had they possessed smartphones.
You have probably had to listen to your voice at some point during phone/Skype conversations with technical issues. It’s not a great feeling, especially the first time you go through this experience, but in the long term listening to yourself and being aware of the way you sound can be incredibly beneficial.
Think about it, when we meet new people, or when we want to get a job we need to give a certain first impression. That impression can be totally different from the one we think we are giving.
Improve my Social Circle
It’s not news that in London “everyone leaves”. 2020 was a very different year, some of my friends left the city and despite the restrictions to met other people, I couldn’t help but feel the lack of friendships. I want to put some effort into meeting new people in 2021, whether assisting with different activities or even being more open to people when I travel (if we get to travel this year!).
Fix my baby teeth
Fun fact, I have a few baby teeth! And they look smaller than their neighbouring frontal ones. I have been extremely indecisive about this topic. After doing some research, I came to the conclusion that the only way to fix the aesthetic looks on it and protect it from breaking in a future was by getting veneers. Yet, is a bit tricky to insert veneers in order to protect because part of the process is to shave the tooth, for instance.
Because of the dilemma, I have been delaying the process to get them done for 2 years and I thought it would be a good idea to decide a time and date to get it fixed. Even though I am still not sure how I am going to do it, I will continue my research and will keep you updated on it.
Have you written your 2021 resolutions or you prefer improvising along the year? Thank you for reading and see you again in my next post!
24 Comments
Erica
These all seem very doable. I’m a bit overzealous when I set goals- workout, write, and practice such and such everyday!!!! Then forget the next day until I find my notes five years later.
Kiira Smith
That’s too relatable, hopefully get better this year!
Karen
Cool update. Your goals make a lot of sense, I have decided to make mine all about connections:
Build new friendships and professional connections.
Seek out opportunities to meet new people, volunteer, and contribute to causes.
Find roommates to move out of my parent’s house and into a college apartment.
We’ll see how it goes!
Kiira Smith
I love them! Moving out of your parents home is a massive step, kudos to you for making that choice!
Joanna
Pretty good list!
Mine are: gain a bit of weight/muscle (I am too skinny atm), try to save $250 per month, develop a hobby, some designer bags and shoes I want to purchase, read/listen to a book a week or every two weeks, cook more and eat out less
Kiira Smith
We have some resolutions in common, you may enjoy using a few apps that help you track your expenses, those are awesome if you are trying to save money 🙂
Zoe
Nice update. I am a person who listens to music a lot and so I totally get what you mean about music making you feel in a certain way. I think it’s great and Im sure you will discover some new things!
Kiira Smith
Thank you Zoe I have started listening to new songs and I am loving it 😁
Mike
Uff recording yourself is tough but you can benefit so much from it. Well worth it!!
Kiira Smith
Thank you Mike! I hope it works for me 🙂
Jamie
Great list, I hope you crush them! My goals:
get a promotion
be healthy
get a driving license
pay more attention to my hobbies
cultivate healthy friendships and relationships
Kiira Smith
Well done! Getting a driving licence is very exciting, good luck with them💪
Sienna
My 2021 resolutions:
Use social media less. I had a traumatic year and want to learn to be comfortable with myself without external validation.
Spend another year with my lovely dog. She’s getting older but that’s not stopping her! I can’t wait to see how much she grows with me next year.
Save more money and monitor my spending better.
Lose weight. I was very depressed and stress ate my way through a lot of things.
Kiira Smith
I understand the Social Media struggle. It could help you to what the Documentary “The Social Dilemma”. It’s super cute that you love spending time with your dog, I hope you meet all your resolutions ♥️
Sarah
Good resolutions! Oh man I can’t believe it’s been a whole year rip. I didn’t do any of mine.
My only resolution this year is foreal get into therapy, I am slowly spiraling lol
Kiira Smith
Hey Sarah! Going to therapy is a wonderful decision and it shows that you have self-awareness. Don’t worry about last year, the first priority should be your mental health 🙂
Tom
My 2020 Resolutions were a complete fail. Between the pandemic, lockdown, and a serious injury, I wasn’t able to maintain any of my resolutions.
2021 Resolutions
Continue PT exercises on a regular basis
Generate and implement a regular cleaning schedule
Cook 2 new recipes per month, and/or perfect 2 old ones. Or use meal replacements for extended periods.
Continue learning to cook unprocessed meats.
2021 Post-pandemic
Finish my kitties’ memory book(s)
Get a gym membership and personal trainer.
Find a local therapist, if staying in-area.
Start tracking and logging foods. Cut down on snacking.
Work on social skills and attending meetups.
Kiira Smith
That’s amazing Tom you are going to be busy! As you mentioned it is safe to say that last year didn’t count when it comes to resolutions. Well done deciding to attend therapy, mental health should be a priority always🙂
John Malone
Great list, I would say the excercising and journaling ones are very important.
I have simply proposed myself to be happier this year. Hard to measure of course! but I will be practising some mindfulness, try to do more frequently things I enjoy etc
Kiira Smith
That’s a great one! Like you said it is hard to measure happiness, but practicing mindfulness or even journaling too can help a lot 🙂
Warda
Great list! You’re going to smash 2021!
Kiira Smith
Hehe I will try! Thank you Warda 💟
Charles
Mine for this year:
Read 1 book a month
Once I’ve lost a bit of weight, start running again (probably around 50 lbs)
Maintain financial health by saving money
Kiira Smith
Well done! Check the Saving Money apps, some of them are pretty good 🙂