Last year, as with most years, I wrote down my visions for 2020. So naturally I was planning a 2020 vision review. Obviously when these were planned I had no idea what we would be hit with. A global pandemic a couple of months later and several lock downs covering most of the year. Therefore some of these goals now seem pretty futile. However, I am optimistic that I will be able to achieve most of these soon. Not everything was terrible last year, but there were just lots of restrictions. Let’s see how the 2020 vision review pans out..
1- Improve my financial health.
By this I mean improve my credit score, pay off as much debt as I can and start saving for my future. Basically make better decisions when it comes to spending and my monthly budget.
Well, I managed to be sensible for most of the year. I actually paid off quite a chunk off my credit card by the autumn, a positive 2020 vision review. But then November and December arrived. Christmas shopping for others included treating myself to maybe one or too things more than I should have. I also invested some money in some elearning courses. I’m blaming Covid for my lapse in self control and need for online retail therapy. I have kept tabs on my credit score using Experian though. It’s nice to see it getting healthier, even at the slow pace it is going.
2- Focus on my Mental health
Therapy, Self love (or at least self acceptance), Mindfulness, CBT I want to try out as many ways of helping myself as possible. I have been trying various things over the last couple of years but this year I am more determined than ever to improve things for myself so I can stop getting in my own way and go out and get what I deserve.
2020 has been a tough year for most of us. I have been relatively lucky actually. Some unfortunately have had to cope with more pain than others. We’ve lost lots of good people to this dreadful disease and during this pandemic. Not being able to visit loved ones in hospital when they are sick, not being able to go to funerals to say goodbye. It has all been a huge test of our mental health. I have been using various methods to try to keep my mental health in check. Mindfulness exercises, reading self development books, listening to podcasts, listening to music, watching films. Doing all I can to either process my emotions in a healthy way or to distract myself from them temporarily.
Luckily I have an amazing bunch of people around me. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I can’t wait to see them all again in person. However, 2020 did not include a full blown melt down so I’m chocking that up as a 2020 vision review win.
3- More visits to see friends and family.
There are some people I have not seen in months, others that I’ve been absent from for years and now I have the freedom of having my own car I want to change that.
Or so I thought… thanks Covid. Thankfully due to technology I have been able to catch up and reconnect with friends and family throughout the year. I had multiple virtual celebrations this year for birthdays, Christmas and new years which has really helped. I’ve been having virtual film nights too which have been great fun. Still looking forward to being able to see everyone in person eventually and get my over due dose of hugs, but not necessarily a huge 2020 vision review flop.
4- Go on a yearly trip away.
Not just the ones my mum books and invites me to but a trip away for me, even if it’s just 1 day each year I would like to go somewhere for me, possibly on my own to just experience and explore somewhere new but if I can go with someone then even better.
Again, this one didn’t happen to the extent I would have liked. The weekend away with my mum, step dad and younger brother was fortunately still able to go ahead. I managed to visit Jez a few times (and live with him for a few months during the first lock down too). I also had a weekend away with some of my friends to celebrate one of my besties turning 30.
Although I am still seriously needing to get my wanderlust fix after being stuck inside for the majority of the year the fact I was able to do these visits during a pandemic is a definite positive. This 2020 vision review isn’t as adventurous as I’d like but a lot better than some. For 2021 I’d be happy with pretty much anywhere so hopefully it can happen.
5- Get back into performing
Amateur dramatics shows, go to see a West End show, maybe even restart my YouTube channel. I’m currently in rehearsals for Carousel with my local musical theatre society, at the Christmas church service I went to I was invited to join the Monmouth Choral Society which I’m contemplating depending on commitment expectations and membership fees. My microphone is ready and waiting to be set up, there is a HUGE list of songs I want to cover and I’ve started getting the backing tracks downloaded so again it’s just finding time to do it.
Due to the drain on my mental health I didn’t have the energy to record songs. I still have a microphone. I have been downloading some backing tracks I could use. That’s a start, right? Sadly my am dram groups production of Carousel was due to be performed during the first UK lockdown. We’ve still not restarted rehearsals yet. I have no idea when/if it will get on stage but I am crossing my fingers. I miss being in the rehearsal room with all the crazy lot. Can’t wait to be back on stage with the amazing cast and crew.
6- Online courses.
I have several that I have purchased but not started so I need to get back into a routine and get as many qualifications under my belt as I can, get a portfolio done, set up my business name, social media accounts and website and become the self employed professional I have been dreaming about becoming for years.
So, I managed to complete one of the courses and made a start on a few others. However, being shut in the house I have been drawn in by Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and YouTube. I watch several things most evenings which distracts me from being productive most days. The aim is to find a better balance in the coming year.
7- Network.
I would like to start going to networking events to meet new people, make new connections, learn new skills and gain new perspectives.
This is something that I maybe could have done, as many now meet virtually. However, with so many other things going on it was not a priority. I’ve connected with some other businesses via my online retail therapy trips though. They could count as business Networking I suppose.
8- Help others with a daily act of kindness.
It can be something small or something massive but I would like to be able to do at least one kind/helpful thing for someone each and ever day.
I would like to think I’ve brightened someone’s day most days but I honestly don’t know. Most of my energy has been used trying to keep my own tank full. If I see someone struggling on social media I usually try to reach out. I also try to compliment things that make me smile or when people are being their authentic selves online.
9- Declutter.
Physically and figuratively. I have so much stuff in my store room that I don’t actually know if I need it but anything that doesn’t fit in my room atm gets shoved in there until I figure out if I want it or not. In 2020 I plan to go through everything in that room, get rid of/sell anything I no longer want or need via charity shops, carboot sales, Facebook, Gumtree, Ebay etc and declutter the space at my Granny’s house and the storeroom. If possible I’d like to no longer need the storeage room as that costs me £65 each month… but not sure if that’s a step too daring.
I moved house in August (alone thanks to Covid but I did it). Everything I own is now all under one roof for the first time in years. I’ve since had multiple sort throughs of the various bags and boxes. I’ve put aside MANY boxes of things I could sell. It may be donated to charities eventually but I want to try to sell the items first. Due to the need for social distancing I haven’t put it up for sale yet. Postage can get pricey and I don’t want people coming to my home and putting mine or my housemates health at risk. It is however something I would like to resolve before my next house move.
Mentally I’ve been decluttering by reading self development books, I had a short course of weekly therapy sessions at the start of the year (over the phone due to lock down) and have been trying to let my guard down and be more open about my struggles with friends, family and my partner.
10- Get Netflix back.
This may seem like a really small thing for me to include in my top 10 and I suppose it is but I have so many unfinished series and unwatched films on my list that I want to finish. I’ve not seen any of the Rupaul’s Drag Race All stars, the UK series or season 11 yet, I need to watch the latest series of The Crown ( I <3 Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham Carter) and there are a LOT of things on my list that I want to tick off.
This one was easy, I signed up almost immediately. A sure fire 2020 vision review win. Currently I also have a free trial of Amazon Prime and a generous friends login for Disney+. Lots of choice for me to go with my huge collection of DVD’s. I’ve caught up on Rupaul’s drag race and have started watching series 13. Still need to watch the All Stars series’ though. I watched lots of the Christmas Netflix films over December. I’m on series two of The Mandalorian via Disney+. I’m gradually getting through as much as I can across the various channels before I remember all the other more important things I need/can be doing with my time.
Looking back through my 10 goals I don’t think I did too badly. Especially as a lot of the ones I didn’t do too well on were out of my control.
Yes, 2020 was a crappy year but there were some good things that have come out of it too.
Reconnecting with friends I’ve not spoken to in years. A promotion at work. 11 out of 12 successful months within my Partylite business. My partner and I celebrated our first year together -we were unable to be together for that weekend but still. Jez and I managed to spend a lot of quality time together. We somehow managed to spend valentines, both our birthdays, halloween, christmas and new years together despite the lockdowns. Yay for support bubbles, Jez has helped me so much even when we are 150+ miles apart.
I am so lucky to have so many amazing people in my life. It has been so hard to see them hurting when I can’t even give them hugs. I know they are strong enough to get through anything that is thrown their way though.
Sending love to you all.
Happy New Year. Here’s to a fabulous 2021.
Until next time, TTFN.