21 for 2021

While going through my things over the holiday break I came across a list I wrote more than 10 years back. I wrote it while I was living in Berlin (the good old days). In it I listed all my resolutions for 2010. At the time I was 32 and maybe still a bit naïve. It was vague and unrealistic. You know the kind of list that stated things such as *loose 5 kilos* or *study more Japanese and Swedish*.

I wrote this list and of course shortly after the New Year had started 99% of the resolutions I had were forgotten. Nevertheless, the list has traveled with me on my move back home to Wiesbaden/Germany and then off to Malmö/Sweden. From time to I come across it and think to myself:  “Just why didn’t you stick with it?”

I admit I have difficulties sticking to new habits. I always wondered why I just couldn’t be like some of my friends that easily went on a new excerise regime or studied a new language. Besides that I also don’t like to do things other people ask me to do (especially when it’s someone I don’t like). I realized this behavior while reading Gretchen Rubins book Better than Before – at first I thought I must be an Obliger since I can meet deadlines at work but when I took the test I was surprised that I actually came out as a Rebel. Who would have thought?

I also listen to her weekly podcast that she hosts with her sister and there another thing that stuck with me was their 21 for 2021 list. First I thought this was just another way of writing down your New Years resolutions but I quickly understood the concept: Putting actions behind the things you want to achieve. This is when it made click in my mind. I had been so focused on either generic resolutions that were either too big (like getting better in a language – but how and how much studying and for what?) or pointless (loosing 5 kilos – but how and why? And what comes afterwards?).

So this year when I sat down to think about my goals for 2021 I used Gretchen’s method and came up with my own 21 for 2021 list:

1. Run two 10k runs in 2021 – and hopefully drop some weight
2. Get my apartment move ready – everything can be packed within 1 day
3. Get my Botox freshened up – I’m going to be 44 this year….
4. Eat more vegetables – at least one meal per day
5. Get more sleep – 8 hours every night by setting a bedtime routine (including a new grooming routine) and be in bed by 10:00pm
6. Improve my Swedish by studying for 20 minutes per day – consistency is key
7. Work with a coach on achieving my goals
8. Talk to one friend not living in Sweden per day – no matter if it’s email, call, text or face to face
9. Introduce 3 new plants to my apartment and not have them die – I’m known for having the black thumb
10. Host 6 crappy dinner parties – to keep the apartment in check, see more friends, cook more and work on my perfectionism
11. Bake 1 new cake recipe per months – and share with friends during an afternoon tea (are you interested in the recipe?)
12. Get a massage or chiropractic adjustment per month
13. Set up a stock portfolio and invest in it every month
14. Finally pay back my credit card bill (it’s about time)
15. Set 5 blogging goals for the new blog – to make it a success in 2021
16. Decide and book flights with the COVID credits I have left
17. Set up a meeting with my financial advisor to go over my assets and retirement plans
18. Read 21 minutes every day in 21
19. Work on my core strength by doing Yoga and strength training to be back pain-free by the end of the year – with my trainer
20. Meditate for 10 minutes every morning before work – I need a way to calm my monkey mind
21. … and last but not least: get the COVID vaccine!

I must admit at first I thought I might not make it to the end but once I got going it was easy to come up with attainable goals for 2021. Yippie!

In the next couple of month I will update you on my progress and share my experience… and hopefully some tips and tricks along the way!

Tell me, what are your plans and goals for 2021?

Take care

Florian