January is the month for resolutions; making them, revising them, and keeping them, but in an unprecedented year like 2020 was, how do we set goals in such a complex time as 2021 is sure to be?
I did a bit of research (yes I'm a librarian and it's my stock in trade), and the consensus seems to be we should be making small bite-size goals—looking inward and really seeing what we can do for self-care, or even a one-word theme might be helpful.
I think of my 2020 vision board still gathering dust on the wall of my office; there were thoughts of more travel, more live music, all things that may not happen in 2021 either. So how to move forward and still look forward to what's to come? Here is my list and I hope it might help you all as well.
- Breathe: Though it goes without saying its something we are already doing, make a practice out of mindfully meditating and focusing on your breath.
- Get a good night's sleep: Yes this is easier said than done, but many books have come out in the last year I found very helpful.
- Be kind to yourself: So you didn't make a sourdough starter or binge (insert popular bingey Netflix show here) that show, it's okay.
- Limit news and social media: Watching the 24 hour news cycle is not good for you. If you can, limit your time doom scrolling at 3 a.m. (refer to item 2), and watching the news 24/7, it will be there when you wake up, and it will be there after work, you don't need to look at it all day long.
- Go on a walk: You don't have to get 10,000 steps in; even a daily or nightly walk around the block can help increase your sense of well being.
- Read: It wouldn't be a library list if I didn't add this on here! Fiction is a great distraction but read about social justice, the environment, and implicit bias as well.
That's it. If you want to add more, do it, but give yourself a break if you don't.