reflections & Goals 2018

So, we’re a couple of weeks into 2018 and I’ve been a bit delayed in reflecting on last year and setting some goals for 2018. In part due to school holidays only finishing last week and life has now returned to some sort of normality, however chaotic that may be.

A Year of Global Tragic Events

2017 was a year in which many tragic events occurred globally – the numerous terrorist atrocities and natural disasters destroyed lives, homes, and livelihoods.  These events could easily evoke feelings of powerlessness and fear. 

Not long after the Manchester bombings our family was attending a large event in Hyde Park and it was the first time we have discussed what to do if anything happened.  There was also another occasion when I was in the car with my 13-year-old son and he was expressing concern over events that were happening and the actions of President Trump which he feared could start a war.  All I could say to him was that we had little control over these events and what was important was that we were the best people we could be, live the best life we could and probably, most importantly, be kind. 

It is easy sometimes to feel like what we do doesn’t really matter in the great scheme of things, but we can never be 100% sure who or what our actions are influencing. 

There were times over the year when I had to remind myself what I had said to him as yet another horrifying news headline appeared: – do my best, show up, appreciate, and put my energy into living.

A Good Time for Reflection - did I reach my goals?

I’m not big into New Year’s Resolutions, having made the same ones for years, not achieving them and therefore feeling like I’d failed, so for a few years I didn’t bother.  However, the start of a New Year is a good time to reflect, reset and focus on what you want to achieve.

At the beginning of 2017 I compiled a list of goals for the year and thought about how I would achieve them.  Some were completed, a couple became unimportant and a few were incomplete. 

Does this mean I failed?  No is the answer, in fact I made progress in all but 1 of them and I believe that if I hadn’t physically written them down as concrete goals the same progress would not have been achieved.  For example, one of the yearlong goals was to complete 200 workouts; I didn’t hit 200 but I did complete 172.  It may seem silly but putting a cross in a box each time I finished a workout I found really satisfying! 

So, my goals for 2018 have been written down.  Some are yearlong actions others are more specific to work towards that will be ticked off as they are completed.

As last year, not one of them is weight related.  All the “New Year, New Me” hype every January

I find irritating as so much focusses on losing weight as if that should be the paramount aim – being smaller, taking up less space.  This feeds into people’s negative body image and feelings that somehow, we are not good enough if we do not fit the “ideal”.  It also feeds off feelings of guilt from over indulging over the Christmas and New Year period rather than just enjoying the celebrations.

My goal for 2018

In a nutshell, my aim for 2018 is to continue to strive to improve and learn to participate fully in life.  To endeavour to appreciate and focus on the positive and not berate myself when I slip up.  To accept progress and not expect perfection.

Do you set goals or resolutions for the year? Let me know in the comments.

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How a Banana Boat Made Me Realise It’s OK to say No!

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The Power of Words