Earlier this week, I told you about how I would take some time to reflect on my goals for this year. Seeing as it’s been quite a weird year, with a sudden, but not entirely unexpected move from our apartment to a new one. Now that the dust has settled, I can see what a stressful year this has been and with all that’s going on in the world and prices rising for pretty much everything, I think it’s safe to say I’ve had a lot on my mind. In other blogs I’ve always said that setting goals for me is important and that they should be achievable. Of course, I never anticipated to be so distracted that I couldn’t really focus on my personal goals this year. But let’s have a look.

It’s been a very messy 2nd and 3rd quarter

Yes. It’s been a messy year, after the first quarter. Moving has cost us about two months and we’re still dealing with a bit of an aftermath with our old landlord. The move was a success though and our new home is shaping up to be a wonderful place where we can relax, host a group of guests, and do the things we both love. But that’s enough waffling, let’s look at my goals list once again!

– [ ] 1. Outline and finish writing the first Kevar novel, by December 2022
– [ ] 2. Lose weight and get into better shape, by December 2022
– [ ] 3. Write at least one weekly blog article on JeffreyDebris.com, by December 2022
– [ ] 4. Write at least one weekly blog article on TheGreenDream.blog , by December 2022
– [ ] 5. Read 40 books, by December 2022
– [ ] 6. Write 500 words on any of my projects daily, by December 2022
– [ ] 7. Take up drawing again and practice weekly/daily, by December 2022
– [ ] 8. Practice daily journaling, by December 2022
– [ ] 9. Increase my meditation habits, by meditating longer or twice a day, by December 2022
– [x] 10. Propose to Bren, by March 2022 (22-2-2022, 22:22?)

As you can see, there’s quite a lot left to be done, but seeing as most are supposed to be finished by the end of the year, well, there might still be a good chance to make things right.

1. Outline and finish writing the first Kevar novel, by December 2022

I have written three chapters of the book and outlined a bunch of chapters ahead. Also, during our move I’ve noted a couple of wonderful ideas that I want to incorporate into the story, but overall, I’m very much behind on writing the novel. It really saddens me to say that I won’t be able to finish writing the novel this year, within reason. Who knows, I might enter some sort of inspirational state and be able to write a lot this year, but if I’m being honest, I believe I will have to settle for finishing the manuscript in the first quarter of next year. Conclusion: Behind on schedule, by about four months

2. Lose weight and get into better shape, by December 2022

One of the first things I dropped during the time when we were packing and moving was going to the gym and although I did still get a lot of movement in and carried the Force knows how many boxes and furniture, I did lose weight, but I can’t really say I’ve gotten into better shape. I did pick up my habit of going to the gym and went three times this week, so I think by the end of this year, I’ll have met my goals. Also the last time I weighed, I was close to 74,5 kilograms, so I am still going strong! Conclusion: On track!

3. Write at least one weekly blog article on JeffreyDebris.com, by December 2022

Yea, writing a weekly blog article didn’t work out this year, however, I am making up for it by writing more now that I finally have the time and ideas about what to write. Blogging comes really easy for me and I often find myself capable of just writing a single blog in a short burst of effort and then continue working on other projects. As you know these are the subjects I like to write about:

• Video games
• Books
• Writing and goal setting practices
• Mindfulness and lifestyle mumbo jumbo
• Other hobbies like LEGO and drawing

As I said, I failed to write one every week, but hey, rules are there to be bent and so are goals. If I still end up writing 52 blogs by the end of the year, I’m happy. Conclusion: On track, from a certain point of view!

4. Write at least one weekly blog article on TheGreenDream.blog , by December 2022

Bren and I started a new blog this year, hoping we’d be able to write about all sorts of stuff like sustainable living, spirituality, mindfulness and share recipes for all kinds of things like vega(n) dishes and homemade cleaning products. Instead, Bren is heavily focussed on making The Green Dream Shop a success and I’m supporting her as best as I can, because I want her to make her dream come true. This means we’re not actively blogging on the website at the moment, but we definitely have the intention to do so in the near future! Conclusion: Off track, by a long shot

5. Read 40 books, by December 2022

Although the year started off with an increased lust for reading I entered a rut a couple of months ago when we started looking for a new place to live. Also, ‘Fox and I’ nearly caused a big reading dip and I was too stubborn to stop reading it, hoping it would turn out to become better, as some books tend to become better once you pass a certain amount of pages. I’m finally finished with it and vowed never to read a book again that doesn’t manage to capture my interest within 50-100 pages. Life is too short to read a book you don’t really like. I’m only on 18 of 40 books, so if I want to finish 40 books, I’d better start reading 😉 Conclusion: Off track, but I really don’t mind at all

6. Write 500 words on any of my projects daily, by December 2022

I easily write 500 words a day, sadly it’s not on any of my projects these past few months. I think it’s safe to say that I’ll just scratch this goal altogether and focus on picking it up where I left off. I still love doing daily writing, so I’ll try and do that, but maybe not put too much pressure on myself in the future. There are definitely days when you can’t write, because you’re away from home. Conclusion: Goal failed 😉 

7. Take up drawing again and practice weekly/daily, by December 2022

Now that we’ve moved places and the dust is settling, I am really looking to getting into more creative stuff and drawing is one of those things I’d love to pick up again. However, I’ve also taken an interest in molding stuff with clay and Bren has given me some clay that can be painted. I’ve had some ideas what I’d love to make and I really want to get into it, so I think I might change this goal into: Take up a new hobby. Who knows what it’ll bring me 🙂 Conclusion: Needs further evaluation

8. Practice daily journaling, by December 2022

Although the last few months were hectic, I’ve tried taking the time to do my daily journaling and only missed a couple of days. Those days I’m currently trying to fill in, or if I miss a day, I’ll write it the day after. I really love journaling and this year, I feel I’ll finally finish writing an entire journal full of entries. Conclusion: On track!

9. Increase my meditation habits, by meditating longer or twice a day, by December 2022

As I stated in my previous post, going to the gym and meditation were two things that went out of the window as soon as we were starting moving places. I’ve yet to pick up my meditation routine and I can tell that I haven’t done it in a while now. I really want to start meditating again, but getting into a rhythm with work (which has also moved to another office) and working out, I have to find some time to meditate. Preferably early in the morning, but maybe as a winding down from the day it could work too.

Conclusion: Needs further evaluation, given the new situation

10. Propose to Bren, by March 2022 (22-2-2022, 22:22?)

This was completed on February 22nd and we’re getting married next year! 😀

Overall conclusion

What a difference a couple of months can make! From really feeling it last time I was evaluating my goals to now realising this year went in a completely different direction and I might have to let go of some of them and just settle for accepting that the things are the way they are, because of some unforeseen circumstances. I’ve always stated that setting personal goals is not a mandatory thing, but rather a guideline and I should live by my Stoic philosophy of accepting that things are the way they are, especially if they’re (partially) outside of my control.

I hope this honest reflection has helped you too! How’s your year going so far? I hope you folks are out there achieving stuff and kicking butt! I’m still hoping to finish a couple of these goals and will work on the things I love doing this last part of the year. It sure has been a year with a lot of big changes, but they really were for the better and there’s always a new, fresh year around the corner 😉

Happy planning!

Jeffrey