20 for 20

I am finally giving in and writing an official blog article. I have procrastinated greatly, considering that I obtained this site about one year ago. Who knows where this will take me or who this blog may inspire or entertain, but I am surrendering. I am not going to trouble this audience with an extensive background story. Rather, I am choosing to move along organically and explain things as I go.

In preparation for 2020, my eldest sister roped me into an accountability game. My sisters and I created a “20 for 20” list of goals we want to accomplish this year. Here’s mine:

Note: Bolded items are already in progress.

1. Sing one song in its entirety at least once a day.

2. Read 6 non-fiction books (one every other month).

3. Write 1 blog article at the beginning of each month.

4. Train safely for a half marathon and continue ultra marathon training.

5. Take Victor (and Jolie, if weather permits) on a walk outside on a trail or at a park at least twice a month.

6. Transfer my piano from my parents’ home to my house.

7. Play piano for a least 5 productive minutes a day once the piano is acquired and tuned.

8. Catch up with a friend at least once a week.

9. Perform at least 3 strict pull ups.

10. Meditate at least 3 times a week.

11. Continue to drink 90 ounces of water each day.

12. Fit into an old pair of jeans.

13. Declutter the garage.

14. Prune the front and back yards.

15. Declutter my closet and donate excess to the Philippines.

16. Take Victor and Jolie outside of NJ to a place where they can appreciate the outdoors.

17. Have a date night with my husband at least once a month.

18. Cook more and eat at the dinner table.

19. Teach Victor how to swim properly.

20. Teach Victor how to bike without training wheels.

Choosing to focus on items 2, 3, and 5 for today.

Six non-fiction books may not seem like a lofty goal. However, this is in addition to the fiction books I read weekly (about 3 per week). I feel like my brain has been stagnating and hopefully the non-fiction morass will jumpstart my neurons. I hope to finish the following books within the next 3-4 months.

I opted to low-ball the amount of blog articles I will publish because I wanted to actually accomplish this goal each month. I toyed around with the idea of weekly articles, but this idea died before I could even voice it aloud. I know myself enough to foresee that if I fail at weekly blogs, I will completely shut down and shun writing. My overarching goal is mainly to grease my writing gears and get them to move incessantly. My perfectionist upbringing has prevented me from committing to writing in the past. I chose to dive right in, without drafting. I feel pretty wild.

And now my final thought for today. I want my children to both appreciate and feel empowered by nature. I want them to yearn the outdoors, no matter the weather. I want them to be amazed by whatever they observe on our walks outside. My hope is that as adults, they will respect and preserve nature and inspire others to do the same.

Maybe this list will inspire you. If anything, it is pushing me to improve my dismal blogging skills.