Sharing My 2021 Goals
Hello 2021. Looking back, 2020 was a wild and at times terrible ride. And recent events have proven that 2021 is going to continue to challenge us in new ways. Earlier on in January I had some quiet time to pause and reflect on ways I can use what I learned in 2020 to grow and thrive this year. I’d like to share my goals in case any resonate with you as well.
Set goals again. This is definitely an important place for me to start. I spent so much of 2020 in survival mode, that my main goal was usually to stay sane and stay healthy. Even though 2021 will still have challenges, I’m using this time of transition into the new year to let myself have a little more room to dream and think bigger about what I want for the year.
Stand up for what’s important to me. In 2020 I learned how to recognize and speak up about anti-racism and that definitely doesn’t stop when the calendar year ends. I’ll continue to educate myself and to invest in change-makers fighting for racial justice. For example, the redesigners for justice at Creative Reaction Lab, the informative and action-driven Anti-Racism Daily newsletter and Rachel Rickett’s spiritual activism resources.
Spread the word about my blog and design principles. I’ve had this blog going full steam ahead for six months now and I’m ready to really put some oomph into promoting what I share here and using it to connect with more like-minded folks out there. And folks who think differently. I love learning new things and welcome humane debate.
Keep moving. Oof, what a year for not getting enough steps in on the regular. I’ve noticed a big difference in my mood, focus and ability to handle tough crap when I don’t move my body, so I want to make an effort to do something active (10-minute Yoga with Adrienne videos, yes please!) each day.
Get the COVID vaccine. Yes, yes and yes to this. I already put so many meds into my body to cope with MS and not having a thyroid, so… yeah, I’m always game for more. Especially if it’s going to help me, my family and my community be safer and healthier. Of course, I’ll continue to take all precautions as well!
Ask for and accept help when I need it. I’m getting to the point in my business when I don’t always need to go it alone. I want to keep hiring folks to help me with the parts of my work that I struggle with the most (big shoutout to Holly, who helps me with this blog!!) so I can keep focusing on the parts I do best.
Keep hand lettering as a creative and emotional outlet. 2020 was definitely a tough year for my hand lettering practice. On my @humanpluskindco account, it felt harder to know what was worth sharing, what would be valuable to post. It was difficult to letter for myself because I had so many stressful feelings that I didn’t much want to confront. Still, with the help of the SSLetters community, I at least got to letter once a month. If I letter for myself once a week in 2021, that would be an improvement!
Declutter my craft supplies. I’ve got a closet full of potential projects and half ideas in my home and I want to get clear on what I actually want to do or make with all this STUFF. If you have any ideas for cool crafts you’d recommend that use a heat gun, a box full of beads and/or rubber stamp making supplies do hit me up. While I’m at it, has anyone ever actually finished a scrapbook? I need to know if this is actually an achievable feat. I’m curious to see what I’m left with after this process!
Recalibrate my relationship with social media. In quarantine times, “scrolling for connection” has been a big part of my coping but I am not feeling a lot of benefits of being plugged in so much of the time. I want to aim for more intentional, purposeful connection in 2021.
Try not to push through the hard stuff as much. 2020 was definitely a year where I was ‘sucking it up’ a whole lot. Everything felt so big and scary and terrible out there, that it was hard to feel like taking a moment to breathe would really make a difference. You can probably guess, but that’s not been working out well for my cortisol levels or mental health! I definitely know I can be better with this one in 2021.
What about you? What are your goals, hopes, dreams, dare I say resolutions for 2021? I’d love to know what you’ve set your sights on as we enter this new year. Tweet me at @heeeybattabatta (that’s heeey with three e’s). Wishing you all a happy, healthy, safe New Year!
CHANGEMAKER OF THE MONTH
For this month’s change maker of the month, I’m spotlighting and donating to Fuel The People, an organization that’s fueling the DC community with meals from local BIack & POC chefs & restaurants. I learned about this org recently from local artist Connor Czora who is selling their work as a fundraiser right now.