December Challenge - pt. 3 create your dream year

Yep, it is the last day of 2020. To be totally honest, this year went by FAST. People often rant about how distratous and horrible 2020 was, but I feel like it was a great time for growth and improvements within ourselves. What better times are there when we get to enjoy solitude without the distractions of social FOMOs (with the prerequisites that you’ve grounded yourself). If you feel like you have fallen behind on this journey, then it’s not too late to get started now. Nothing is ever late if you start NOW.

* inspired by Lavendaire's ARTIST OF LIFE WORKBOOK

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In order to create a dream 2021, the first step is to reflect on 2020. Open your journal, start answering these prompts with total honesty.

• List all of your highlights and accomplishments from 2020

• What worked?

• What didn’t work?

• What lessons did you learn from this past year?

• What are you grateful for (physical things, situations, people)?

Some of my highlights from 2020 is that I was able to identify my personal flaws correctly and begin to fix the deep rooted problems. I also realized the hecticness of my lifestyle and decided to start a new season of peace in the year ahead. Try to review your 2020 holistically and without judgement. Correctly identify the areas that aren’t working well and find ways to incorporate changes in 2021.

Before jumping into planning for the new year, we are going to discover more about ourselves! Ask yourself…

• What do I need more of in my life?

• What would make me happy? What is bothering me? What am I afraid of?

• What are some of my priorities?

• What/Who inspires me the most? Why am I drawn to those inspirations?

• At the end of my life, what do I want my legacy to be?

Now it’s time for planning for the new year.

What is your theme for 2021? Your new year theme is a word or phrase that represents what you want to bring into your life and continue to focus on throughout the year. It will be your guiding light! For instance, my theme of the year would be faith, which ties closely to my religious belief and spiritual journey. I found that in 2020, I struggled with anxiety over uncontrollable situations. In order to stay grounded, I need to press into God and put my whole heart into the great plans he has set for me!

Identify your theme and think of ways to embody it in 2021. How do you want to evolve? What do you want to release? You might want to work on self-control, self-acceptance, compassion, or whatever you’ve designed your year to be!

After setting the tone of 2021, we’re going to set goals in specific areas of our lives. These include health, relationship, career/academic, and personal growth goals.

Health:

• How do you want your body to feel?

• To make that happen, what do I have to do?

Relationship:

• Who are the most important people in your life?

• What can you do to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with them?

• What kind of people do you want to invite to your future life?

Career/Academic:

• What do you want to do more of?

• What do you want to do less of?

• What is something that seems scary/exciting for you?

Personal Growth:

• What would you like to learn?

• What is an ideal book list?

• What are the life lessons you’re working towards?

After setting the little goals under specific areas, choose five goals you’d like to accomplish in the new year. Challenge yourself, but also make them doable. You will have more motivation by knowing that you have the ability to accomplish them. If it’s possible, find someone to keep yourself accountable.

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. Let’s make 2021 the dream year together!