Last year was the first year in a long time that I did not write a list of goals and big to-do's for the year. I got overwhelmed with 23 in 2023 and just did not want to add another thing. Instead, I wanted to focus on rhythms, and this was actually REALLY HELPFUL for me.
After a year of paying attention to flow, I am much less likely to think OH MY GOSH THINGS ARE JUST AWFUL and much more likely to stand back and just, like, notice how things are going without necessarily judging them because I am looking for rhythms. Also, instead of being super entrenched in routines, I am much more likely to change things up because I know that most elements of my life sort of fluctuate. This has been really great for me, a creature of habit who tends to be a little rigid.
Last night, for example, I did not clean the kitchen up until 9pm because Tuesday nights are rough, and the big kids all eat late dinners or snacks and pack their lunches after Minnie goes to bed and everyone is finally home. Usually, I kill myself getting everything cleaned up before dance at 6:15 (hard especially because we get home from school pick up/ dive team drop off at 5:20 and need to be BACK IN THE CAR by 6) because I always clean the kitchen right after dinner. Last night, though, I just didn't because we were rushing and because I knew it would get messed up again before (my) bedtime. I have observed the rhythm of my typical Tuesdays enough to stop making the same dumb mistakes. At the very end of the year (we have only had these particular Tuesdays since mid-September, though).
Minne brought a baby panda and an American Girl diaper bag and a dolly stroller with her to Dorothy's class last night. Not only did she play with the older girls (7-9 y/os), but she also got to watch a rec class perform their holiday dance. Adorable all around.
Anyway, I think I want to get back on the list-of-goals bandwagon. In a way that does not tempt fate or assume everything will be awesome all the time. But! I have a few things for my 25 for 25 list that are not actionable goals. I want to FINALLY finish the novel I have been working on forever and avoided ALL YEAR LONG. But saying "finish my book" is not effective. Does anyone have suggestions for concrete things I could put on my list that would help me achieve the goal? Similarly, I want to do a better job of working when I am not in my office-- really critical when I teach online this spring but also generally good for my workflow. Right now, I start and end the week strong and flail in the middle. Can anyone help steer me in the right goal direction?
Anyone have anything great on their 25 for 25 lists that might inspire me (or others)? Anyone playing with the number 25 in any cool ways (Organizing principle? Mapping onto quintiles? Using 2-5 as a range?)
After telling Sarah on her podcast that I hate planners because I am un upholder who tips rebel and I am perfectly happy just using a notebook, I found THE CUTEST one at Urban Outfitters (a place I am too old to shop at, yes, but I was there to find stocking stuffers for Dorothy and something for our family Christmas Eve yankee swap (the theme is purple, and the price limit is $35 if you have any suggestions)). It is not dated (I LOVE THIS!) and has 2 pages for each day. The perfect mix of structure but not, like prescriptive structure.
