This time next year

Bill over at A Silly Place passed on this pondering question – where will I be this time next year? He’s got some clear ideas about the inevitable and some general goals for himself this time next year. However, he generously shared the challenge with some other folks, including me. I’ve had to have a really good hard think, and I still haven’t come up with anything profound.

The This Time Next Year challenge was created by the very lovely Katie of Life With Ktkinnes.

Rules

• Thank the person who tagged you. So thank you lovely Bill.
• Write your goals for next year.
• Write how you’re going to achieve these goals.
• Tag at least five blogger friends.
• This last one is optional, but in 365 days, write a post about whether or not you’ve been successful!

My Goals

Before I start on any specifics, I’ll explain why this was so hard for me. You see I’m generally pretty contented. Life is good. We’re lucky to have everything we need and the things we’d like to change are rather out of our control – we can’t magic away COVID or Boris the numpty.

I’d like to have some peace and quiet when I’m in the bath, but that’s almost impossible, besides it’s not really a life goal is it?

Fitness

I’m going for the easy one first. For 2022, I’d love to keep my fitness improving. My Garmin tells me I have a VO2max of 47 and I’m as fit as a 20 year old. I want to keep that level, maybe even improve it. I’ve signed up for RED January (whether I’ll actually do it will depend on whether the schools are open or whether we’re back to the chaos of home learning) and I would probably like to do a “run every day” block sometime later in the year too. I’d like to run a half marathon every month or two – I’ve already got a new route planned for 31st January.

Work

Well, 2021 as rather a different year for me at work. Back in April I had an exciting and scary opportunity. You might say that nothing has come of it – my proposal was refused. However, while there is no concrete result of my efforts, I feel I’ve learned a lot about how to get things done, even if it doesn’t always work. I’ve also learned a lot about how to manage my manager – she needs time to come round to things.

For 2022, I want to keep moving in the same direction – pushing for real process improvements and making the lives of our team of technical writers easier, more integrated with other teams and producing better content for our users.

Home

Himself and I are planning some big changes to our house – probably. We’ve had some designs drawn up and we’re waiting for cost estimates. At the same time though, I’m keeping my eye on the housing market – what’s the point of spending lots of money on making a big mess if we can spend the same to get an already-done perfect home? It’s going to be a long, slow burn to get where we want but I’m already browsing teal kitchen tiles on Pinterest.

Friends and Family

There’s been some upheaval in my main mummies friendship group lately. Someone who I would previously have described as one of my closest friends has got sucked into a black hole of anti-vaxx. I have supported her right to her choices until recently when it became clear that she was talking about those of us who use common sense and trust in science to make safe, responsible choices behind our backs and essentially saying that we’re sheeple. Well enough is enough. Hugging me without telling me you are vaccinating was one thing. Sharing private conversations with unpleasant captions is another. If respect doesn’t go both ways, I will withdraw. Despite all that, I hope she knows that I would be there for her in a crisis if she needs me.

On the family side, we’ve just had a truly awesome Christmas seeing my parents, my brother and his wife, and my in laws over just a few days. I hope we get some more opportunities to spend lots of lovely time together, and to see himself’s sister and her family as the boys have certainly missed their cousins this Christmas. I just want contact with everyone. My parents will be 70 this year and I think they’re planning a week’s family holiday which would be absolutely brilliant.

Blogging

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I refuse to plan or hope for anything for my blog. It’s not something I set goals for. It’s just my personal therapy, emptying my head and random thoughts into a safe place.

My Tags

Michelle at Boomer Eco Crusader

Jamie at JamieAdStories

Jaclyn at Jaclynistic Vibes

Caroline at Enviroline

Molly at Transatlantic Notes

Mehsi at Twirling Book Princess