Looking Ahead Involves Looking Back

I am enjoying a laid back day off today, and a relatively light weekend ahead.  I will try to catch up on hobbies.  And I also hope to start thinking ahead for the coming year.  With that forward look though, I will try to look back and think about all I have accomplished in 2023.

I often get tunnel-visioned in my busy life, seeing only the day ahead or the week ahead, primarily looking at the present.  I often fail to see how much better my life has become.  A comfortable home.  Good health.  A career that brings me satisfaction and accomplishment.  Relationships with family and friends.  Progression in my hobbies and past-times.

Maybe this could be my new hobby. I am definitely not a strong skater. Let’s say I have a lot of potential. Hoping my family can help teach me their ways!

In the year ahead, I hope I can keep up this habit of looking to my future and looking at the past.  I think this gives me greater appreciation for how much I have, and how much I have grown.  And how much more living and growing I have to do.

Some goals I have for the year include:

  • -Running a half marathon in the summer. I invested in working with a coach to hone my skills and keep improving.
  • -Blogging more often, as a way to reflect and grow.
  • -Spending quality time with my family and friends.  Aiming for time with family every 1-2 weeks and time with friends once a month or more.
  • -Traveling with intention and for joy.
  • -Continuing to learn languages with Duolingo.
  • -Continuing to play piano and guitar as an outlet for creativity and relaxation.
  • -Reading 40 books. I am definitely behind right now but I can feel things starting to pickup. Thank you snow days and cold weather, driving us inside!

  • Yay for snow days!
  • -Continuing to save and invest, spending money and time with intention to optimize comfort and joy in life.  Avoiding squandering my money or time on things that are not going to return comfort or joy.
  • -Learn a new skill.  I am thinking of trying something in the arts and crafts realm.

 

I will use this post as a way to reflect at the halfway point and endpoint of the year ahead to gauge how I am growing and meeting my goals.  I know perfection is impossible but progression is definitely achievable and laudable.  Growing just a little bit each day or week or year will be tremendous.  Now it is time to go back to my day off and enjoy this time to unwind and ponder.