When we create goals, we always have this pretty image of what success will look like. In my mind, someone, success always turns things that are hard into things that are easy- an image that is anything but reality.
We’re far enough into the year by now that I’ve caught on to the fact that none of this is every going to magically become easy. I’m never going to gravitate to my running shoes and head out the door, or to my keyboard for that days writing session. It’s always going to be hard, but it’s also always going to be worth it.
At this point in the year, I also have a pretty good idea of which goals I’m on track for, and in which areas I need to pull up my bootstraps.
- Writing definitely gets the bootstraps. I have NOT been disciplined in this area over the past few months.
- I’ve been reading pretty consistently. I’ve been about one book behind in my #52in52 almost all year, but at least I’m being consistent! I also think I might be on the best streak of reading good books that I’ve ever had in my life.
- While I’m still up in the air about a masters degree, I’ve discovered that Queen’s offers a Certificate in Media Studies that sounds right up my alley, and am looking to take some of those courses while I’m figuring out my future.
- I bought a whole bunch of apartment decorations while I was staycationing in April, and did a ridiculously large amount of cleaning. I still have a few things to follow through on (note to self: hang that mirror already!), but my apartment is making progress!
- I started my own form of bullet journaling at the beginning of the year to keep track of my life and the things I need to get done every week. 5 months in, and I haven’t missed a week yet!
- I’ve spent a little bit of time volunteering with the Kingston chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and helped at their Great Strides Walk last weekend. It was a great reminder of how much I like helping at events.
- I’ve joined the Board of Directors at Skate Kingston; this next year is going to be an adventure, and I’m incredibly excited!
- I was all prepared to launch one of my personal projects in April, but pulled it at the last minute due to potential duplication. I’m hoping it can reappear in the fall and be a success!
- I’ve been running off and on; not as much as I’d ideally like, but more often than in the past. I think I’m well off the ‘pace’ to hit 250 kms this year, but it’s definitely still possible! I ran the Limestone 5K at the end of April, and successfully crossed the finish line. It wasn’t a time I would boast about, but now I have a benchmark I can work to improve on! I’m planning to run another 5K at the beginning of July, and my goal is to go sub-30.
In all of my goal areas, I don’t yet feel as though I’ve quite hit the mark of where I’d like to be, but I also know I’m much closer than I was five months ago. And ultimately, that’s the real goal- progress.
