It’s almost 2024, marking the last post of the year! What have I accomplished this year? Have I succeeded in any of my goals? How will I make changes for the next year? Since so much was measurable, were any actually obtainable? (Should I make some data visualizations in the future so it’s not just an infinite scroll of text? I can make that happen!)
First, which goals did I omit in December?
- Design tiny house
- Make art for its own sake once/week
My tiny house is nowhere completion. Since I am now in grad school, with an anticipated graduation of spring 2025, I may consider putting off this goal until early 2025. It takes a long time to construct, certainly. And while I enjoy the movability, funds and time are going to school. Resources and limitations seem to be a theme for many goals.
Likewise, I did not have the capacity to just make art this month. I want to do things “just because”, without publishing or deadline. Yet I still have this insatiable need to be perfect, even when it’s just for me. Hopefully, in the new year, I will give room for practicing. Messing up is part of art. Cognitively knowing this is not the same thing as doing that, and so my plan is to start with prompts and memories, digging into “still writing.” Wish me luck!
What goals were works in progress?
- Visit somewhere
- Take myself on dates once/week
- Run for fun once/week
- Develop daily arms/abs routines
Notice how I put visit “somewhere” instead of France? Obviously I did not internationally travel this year, and it’s a lesson in not putting extreme wishes in these annual goal sheets. So, yes, I low-key visited the homeland this month, and it’s been wonderful returning to some of my favorite places. Many of these times are with others, like my brother, cousin, or childhood friends. I am grateful to maintain these strong relationships while also learning to become my own best friend.
Taking myself on dates throughout the year has shown me what I like in my own company. I am resourceful, not just for getting a good deal, but also for accessibility. While I have learned that my extroverted introvert self loves feedback, I still enjoy my alone time, reading at the library, watching a documentary, going for an urban spelunk, or reading for hours.
And that leads to some stuff I’ve learned about running. Climate change has gifted me many sunny runs this month, even donning shorts in December! But more importantly, I have learned how to organize my days so to get running and abs/arms trainings in regularly. While I also making healthier swaps. Smaller meals throughout the day is key for me, and actually enjoying food matters. That currently looks like pairing fats and carbs, documenting when I get sick, and giving myself grace.
I am still working on what my movement goal(s) for 2024 is (are). I know the end-state, which is to look and feel confident for Allie’s wedding in the summer, but I have to reverse-engineer some changes. Keeping a pairing of running after work, then hitting up DU’s gym, uses resources like time (and proximity) wisely. But it will feel different when grad school comes again in early January.
Which goals did I commit to this month?
- Finish bookshelf/read 40 books
- Research Omit to Commit
- Support an org once/month
- Keep swapping to vegan, local wares
Since the quarter ended up a few weeks ago, I finished strong on my Goodreads goal of reading 40 books (in fact, I am writing my review for my 40th book of the year after scheduling this post!). While I did not finish my bookshelf, I made a commitment to shed unloved clothes from my closet. And that has led to some swaps of more vegan, local wares while also recognizing that it’s okay to keep stuff that works once and a while (looking at you, chunky winter boots).
But one lesson from this year is that it’s not about how much or how little a collection is. It’s how much time is spent on these things, and how much care is given. I think that measurement of caring is difficult and highly subjective, but we are what we pay attention to.
On that note, caring is a key resource of Omit to Commit because it is akin to attention. Caring means spending time and energy, when the dividends may not be so obvious. It is putting the slow work in, building routines, because it is just what you do. I think that’s why so many people assign their identity or identities to what they repeat by showing affiliation.
And that’s a key reason why I love volunteering. I become part of something much bigger than me. This month, it was PawsCo, and I know the months ahead will require ample time at DU, supporting organizations to lift up students. I will be with the College of Education Student Association as Treasurer and the Library Information Science Student and Alumni Association as VP. These positions help me see fresh perspectives of the college.
There are so many lessons from this year! While I have yet to read through my bookshelf and I can’t say I’m completely vegan, I am proud of the work I’ve done on myself. Still deciding what my word for next year will be, as 2024 will include grad school the entire year. Maybe perspectives, transitions, or perseverance? It also marks the 6th year of me annually publishing my goals, and my hope is to have 6 goals, one for each of my core values with the ability to write about them at least twice/year. Resolutions aren’t needed here since goals are my tradition, but if they’re yours, I’d love to hear some! Or how about reflections? Let’s make 2024 full, engaging, and fun. Happy New Year!