~~ Twenty for Twenty – January Journey ~~

If you have read my December blogathon posts, you are probably aware that I had/have aimed for twenty simple (ahem) goals for this year 2020.

The main reason I declared it here in this space was to make sure I was accountable to providing regular status updates even if you are not interested to know 😛  I knew that if I was accountable somewhere  – I would be pretty diligent in tracking things and would not end up taking it easy 😛  – Having said that, it’s not that I am not accountable otherwise – but I have always noticed that when it comes to taking care of myself or putting my own happiness first, I don’t take it very seriously. Most of us are like that, isn’t it? Hence the need to be accountable somewhere.  Most of the stuff in the goal list actually is about prioritizing myself and my own happiness over other things – and since its not an inherent inbuilt quality yet, I hope to cultivate it slowly through these goals.

So even if you want to or not want to know  – here’s how I progressed in January with these goals….

20 for 20 – Career

Work life balance: Though I have not completely let go – I have taken the first step towards consciously not checking work emails/chats until I reach office. At times, if I am expecting some important communication, I still do it. But not daily anymore.

Get certified: Learning progress towards getting certified was not as expected in January. Need to invest time over weekends.

Appreciate often: Doing it as and when applicable.  Will continue doing it.

20 for 20 – Reading/Writing

Blog at least once a month (1/12): January post

One Blogathon per year (0/1):  Haven’t dared to start this yet.

Finish the draft of novel: Haven’t dared to start this yet.

Reading challenge(0/20): Though I did pick up a book to read, haven’t completed it yet. Reading “The Restaurant at the End of the Universe” by Douglas Adams.

Sync the external blog space with all the posts: Haven’t started this one yet.

20 for 20 – Others

Travel/Vacation :

Take a break per month to unwind – even if for a day (1/12) – I like to believe that I am that optimistic person who keeps looking for that light at the end of tunnel in every situation – but then at times, I do get overwhelmed, frustrated and go into a “God, why only me” mode. I took a day off to rest after such an overwhelming week which resulted in a sleepless night pondering over every personal and work related situation that was frustrating me.  The day I took a break, I switched my phone to aeroplane mode for almost the whole day –  slept most part of the day, picked a new book to read and spent quality time with family. That’s all I needed and I felt quite refreshed by evening. Its so important not to get lost in the process of being on top every single thing in life. Its so important to know that the to-do’s can wait for a day. Sometimes this kind of break is what the body and mind needs and craves for and we need to listen to it and take that break – after all, we are not well-oiled machines to just keep going on and on 😛

Explore local weekend getaways – try visiting at least 5 new places close by (0/5) – None in January

Plan proper vacations – Try to cover at least 2 from my bucket list (0/2) – Yet to plan the actual destination and dates. Months have been finalized.

Health :

• Meditate: Has been difficult. But I have been doing it on and off throughout the month. Need to bring in consistency.
• Walk at least for half hour every day – 14/366
• Squeeze in 10 mins of yoga every day – 3/366
• Drink more water – Been doing it diligently on weekdays. Its the weekends that I waver away, need to keep a check.

General:

• Stay strictly offline after 10pm – Go to bed at a reasonable time  – 10/366
• Declutter – Let go of unwanted stuff – Haven’t dared to let go of any stuff yet.
• Watch a movie per week – 1/53 –  Movie – Arthur
• Go to a stand-up comedy show (0/1) – Nothing planned yet.
• Resume dance classes – Restarted classes, however a note to self: Be regular 🙂

Did you set any goals for yourself this year?  How are you progressing? Do let me know 🙂