2020: New things I tried

We often make goals to “try new things” or “be more spontaneous” but then do neither. Last year I kept a list of all the new things I tried to see how much I’m trying/learning/growing/etc. Considering the year was weird thanks to covid, I’m quite proud of myself for the things I tried!

Here are some of the new things I got around to:

(Business: this was the year to “pivot” and try new things! Covid changed the way a lot of people do business and I enjoyed exploring new ways to grow mine.)

Joined a few different networking groups (I was able to keep this up all year and it was a great source of motivation and accountability)

Started incorporating videos of myself in my instagram stories (I read an article that talked about how we are overloaded with images whereas videos make us pause because it’s a break in the overload)

Did a virtual interview with Michele Mateus Photography (see her website here).

Held my first instagram sale

Participated as an artist in the New West Cultural Crawl (October)

(Personal)

Started yoga (In January, I bought a yoga pass to work on strength and flexibility. Only used it until March but worth it!)

Tried a new fitness class (Orange Theory - this happened in January and I loved it! This is my usual style of workout)

Tried a float tank (After Orange Theory I tried a float tank. This was weird but also relaxing. I can see why people love it)

Bought a yellow sweater (I NEVER wear yellow but I was influenced by Jen Pistor - see her blog here)

What about you? Is there anything new you got around to trying in 2020? Is there anything new you’d like to try in 2021?

New word for 2020: Discipline

As I hopped into bed last night, I thought about my word for 2020: streamline. I chose that word because "I knew that my focus for the new year had to be quality over quantity. To take on less projects but ones with more value that really speak to me. To find more efficient ways to get things done faster while still being true to my standards."

Then covid19 hit and all my plans were cancelled or postponed! Talk about the universe giving me what I wanted: you want less projects? HERE YOU GO!

I am bummed that my events have been postponed  but I also realize that it was actually a good thing. I was ready for a few projects but also a little overwhelmed.

Anyways, we're going on a month at home and it occurred to me that my discipline sucks. I'm not being harsh on myself, I'm all for giving myself grace. But I think maybe I give myself too much grace. I will literally stop what I am doing to go nap because I'm just too tired (I'm never tired enough that I can't finish writing an email...common girl).

Last night I played a game on my phone for three hours and I didn't even notice the three hours had passed. The day before I did the same. Now don't get me wrong, the game was fun and brought me joy. But when I was done playing, I also thought, I could have played the game, read, and worked on a personal project that would have filled my soul and made me happier than this game.

So last night while I was loathing myself for going to bed so late because I was addicted to a video game, it dawned on me that I really aught to change my word for 2020 to DISCIPLINE. It's like we're in a wrinkle in time where the universe is giving us all the time we want to get those projects we've always wanted to get done and somehow we're not doing them. I have been doing a lot to be honest. I have a million projects on the go. But the things I dream about the most are the ones I have been skirting around because they require me to dig deep and it's much more satisfying to tick the easier back-burner jobs and goals off my list.

Today I woke up rejuvinated and on a mission to not waste this precious time. I can't change the situation we're all in and stressing about it isn't going to get me anywhere. Might as well put my energy into finding the discipline I need to get successfully get things done!

How are you coping with your new covid19 normal?

Word for 2020: Streamline

Last year I did a lot. My word for 2019 was ENERGY. The thing with energy is that the more you do, the more energy you have. Which can be great! But sometimes, when you're super motivated and energized, you commit to more than you probably should. Or at least I do. I learned a lot because of everything I took on last year, but I also found myself burning out after intense bouts of work.

I didn't really have to think much about my word for 2020: the word just naturally popped into my head as soon as I started thinking about my 2020 goals. I knew that my focus for the new year had to be quality over quantity. To take on less projects but ones with more value that really speak to me. To find more efficient ways to get things done faster while still being true to my standards.

I'm really looking forward to 2020! How about you? What's your word for 2020?