Well, 2020 didn’t quite turn out as expected, did it? Between Covid, Trump and climate change it feels as if the Apocalypse is close at hand. But that’s not a reason to give up, quite the contrary!
So as per usual, I’m reviewing my annual goals, to see how I’m faring. Like a coach in halftime, I take a cold, hard look at my strategy, and try to rouse and coax my team of me, myself and I into action once again, so as to reach those lofty aspirations from December. How am I doing then?
1. Travel to new countries
Hah. Nope. Nothing. Not even close. But hey, there’s six months left, right?
2. Walk at least 10k per day
Yep. Did a walkstreak of 201 days before a heatwave and a headache put an end to that. Still, doing well so far.
3. Read at least one non-fiction book per month
Yes. The Body (Bryson), Landmarks (Macfarlane), and The living mountain (Shepherd) stand out as the best ones.
4. Get certified as a paraglider (at long last!)
Not unless you count GTA V…
5. Learn a new tune on the piano each month
I was doing ok the first couple of months but then I lost focus. I wonder why…?
6. Make new friends and stay in touch with old friends more
I guess. Again, not very impressive results, but given the circumstances making new friends was never going to be easy, was it?
7. Write a book
Nope. I think you need to be in a better space mentally than I have been to undertake something like that.
8. Learn to draw and paint better
Yes, a little. Not in a v organised fashion tho.
9. Recover from injuries, exercise regularly and don’t get injured again
This has overshadowed my year more than CV, even. Nerve issues aren’t going anywhere. Back pain also seems semi-permanent, and it’s a vicious circle, since the problems keep me from exercising, which then makes the problems worse… glad I managed to stick with the 10k at least.
10. Improve French
Baby steps. No concerted efforts here either.
11. Play chess
Yep. Did play a LOT in the beginning of the year. Now WordFeud has taken over completely.
12. Learn to crawl
Not been anywhere near a pool for obvious reasons. Looking into building a swimming pond in the garden tho.
13. Run 10k again
I’ve actually run for an hour, but at such a snail’s pace that I was nowhere near 10k. Still, there is hope.
14. Go kayaking
Well, the plan now is to go rafting, and maybe kayaking later on.
15. Go hiking
See 1. And 2.
16. Keep bees
Daughter is v much against the idea, and my dreams of playing hive host were dashed when my bee keeper acquaintance had all but one of their hives die over winter, but at least I’ve planted a large patch of flowers just for bees and butterflies.
17. Keep chicken
I AM going to take down the kids’ swings at some point, and I think their crow’s nest could make a neat chicken coop, so… maybe?
18. Drink no alcohol
At least one ambition that is going well. I’ve had a glass of bubbles on three different occasions and that is it.
19. Eat no sugar
A force is met by an equally large force going in the opposite direction? As good as the No Booze is going, the No Sugar rule is being disregarded with gay abandon, sad to say. This is my biggest failing so far, not counting the injuries…
20. Be kind to yourself when you (inevitably) fail 1-19 at some point
Well… Covid-19 changed things radically, and like everyone else I struggled to adapt to quarantine and lockdown. There was virtually no work, but on the other hand distance schooling kept me more than occupied some days. The lack of human interaction was depressing but also a relief. I got an ulcer worrying about the risk of someone in the family contracting the virus, when clearly I could have used my time more fruitfully.
On the other hand, I do think Ambition 20 is more relevant than ever – there is no sense in beating yourself up over not getting all the things done that you had planned, especially when life throws you a giant curveball.
As I said elsewhere, at least Corona forced all of us to pause and reflect on our choices. In my case, it has meant that I have finally placed an order for solar panels and an e-bike, to minimize my carbon footprint. I have also realized that I don’t need very much to be content, but a connection to nature and my loved ones is a definitive must. I don’t know how I would have stayed sane without it.
So… let’s go out there and make the second half of 2020 better with what we’ve learned from the first half, shall we?
