Final yr on this very day, I wrote that I had “combined feelings about leaving 2019 behind”. Properly, I can inform you for sure that my feelings are NOT combined within the slightest about 2020 ending. It’s been a tough yr for everybody, and I do know we’re all greater than prepared for 2021.
My phrase for 2020 was OPTIMIZE. I had excessive hopes for streamlining all areas of my life, however little did I do know after I selected this phrase that life can be something however optimum within the months to return.
2020 began out fairly splendidly. In January, I eradicated refined sugar from my eating regimen and returned to my energy coaching bootcamp twice every week. I additionally joined an train accountability group. That very same month, I launched my e-book, Progressive Revenue for Music Therapists: Past Direct Service & Non-public Apply, and celebrated at a shock launch celebration thrown by my finest pal.
The yr continued to go easily by the start of March, when my household went to Marco Island, Florida for trip. We got here residence and COVID-19 hit just some days later; that’s when my optimization plans fell aside on the seams.
As an alternative, I went into triage mode, each at residence and at work. That’s the place I stayed till Might, when the varsity yr ended and I might breathe just a little. At that time, I revisited my phrase for the yr, and regarded for tactics to use it in each attainable nook and cranny.
After I look again on the yr general, I believe I did my finest (given the circumstances) to optimize my life, each personally and professionally. Listed below are just a few highlights:
- Accomplished a whole yr of 30-day exercise challenges by my accountability group.
- Arrange auto-orders for the gadgets I buy frequently.
- Gave my electronic mail system and sequences an entire makeover.
- Purged and reorganized each room and closet in my home.
- Opened a brand new enterprise with my husband.
- Redecorated my completed basement and created a devoted exercise area.
- High quality-tuned our digital choices by Music Remedy Connections.
- Upgraded to a brand new and greater automotive.
2020 was not a complete loss. After I suppose again to this yr, I hope to recollect not the unhappiness and tragedy, however as an alternative, evenings spent on our deck with household and buddies (socially distanced, in fact), numerous hours on the pool, date nights at residence with my husband after the youngsters went to mattress, and the resilience proven by everybody I do know (and don’t know) as we made it by.
And now, on to my phrase for 2021: EMPOWERED. I selected this phrase as a result of for many of 2020, I felt something however. Like everybody else, I used to be compelled to make choices primarily based on circumstances exterior of my management, and that lack of energy over my very own life affected me in nearly each space.
I do know there’ll nonetheless be many issues out of my fingers within the new yr, however I’m going to try to not let that override my private energy, confidence, and happiness. As an alternative, I need to make use of my capabilities to create, talk, and general simply “be” on this planet with out worry of judgement or the unknown.
Like final yr, I don’t have any large particular targets for 2021. I need to do extra of the issues that make me really feel empowered — figuring out frequently, utilizing my expertise to create assets and supply providers, and educating my kids the best way to be their finest selves. I need to procrastinate much less, and as an alternative dive head-first into challenges (whereas not taking up undesirable or pointless ones).
Selecting a phrase for the yr is, to me, a lot more practical than making resolutions or setting lofty targets. That phrase is like my north star, serving to information my actions and reminding me of my intentions. Have you ever chosen a phrase for 2021? Share within the feedback or join with me on Instagram. Joyful New Yr, and should 2021 convey all of us the peace and pleasure we’ve been eager for.