I’m not going to kid myself with workout or budget related goals. 2022 is going to be the year to go easy on ourselves and the same goes for goal setting. I picked five realistic goals that you can adapt to fit your lifestyle. 

Read 52 Books

Now this may seem like a lot for some people, but this year without much effort I read nearly 70 books. So 52 seems like a doable number of one book a week. Reading is one of my favorite (and only) ways to wind down after a stressful day of work and is something I take great pleasure in. 

90% Morning Pages Success Rate

I’m nearly a month into daily morning pages and find myself loving the process. I’ll be writing a post about my experience and what the heck morning pages are for, but basically it’s writing a few pages every single morning. The pages can be about anything, but there has to be three pages longhand every day. I know it’s unrealistic to try and not miss a single day, but my goal is 90% success. Set a goal like this for working out, eating healthier, etc. 

8 Concerts or Events

COVID allowing, I’d love to go to eight concerts or events in 2022. I miss live music, basketball games, and just having something to look forward to. I’ll wear a mask and wash my hands religiously. 

Travel 3 Times

There was a time I would travel somewhere nearly every month. I crave it despite it seeming to go against everything about my nature. I love packing for the trip, planning everything out, and getting away from the stresses of work. Three times feels completely doable with one already planned for January and a birthday trip in the works for June.

Bake 6 New Things

Baking is something that often falls to the wayside when my life gets hectic. I would love to try a few recipes in 2022 that I haven’t yet, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself by doing one every month. Give yourself a number to strive towards instead of just “bake more.” That way you know when you’re successful.

The key to successful goals is to make them realistic. Maybe you already have plans in the works that a goal just solidifies. Maybe you’ve started a hobby and just want the motivation to stick with it. I much rather make goals I’m excited about rather than ones I dread that will leave me feeling like a failure when I inevitably fail at them. I also strongly recommend keeping your goals to around 4-6. Too many and they start to just feel like work.

What are your goals for 2022?

With 2022 right around the corner, it’s time to start preparing to start the new year off right. With new planners kicking off, here are a few thing to plan for in January.

Schedule health and wellness appointments for the entire year

Usually the next dentist appointment is scheduled at the end of the last one, but just in case they haven’t been, now is a good time to book appointments. You’ll be ahead of the curve and get more available dates and times. Schedule your yearly physical and any other check-ups you may need in the coming year.

Plan out vacations and time off

After you’ve booked all your health and wellness appointments you’ll be set to plan out upcoming time off and vacations. It’s so important to have something to look forward to throughout the year, so add some time off and trips to keep things exciting. Even if you just have a staycation.

Finish holiday gifts

Make sure you’re wrapping up your gift giving in January to say thanks to anyone you want to acknowledge from the past year. We usually send gifts to our clients and partners who have helped us be successful in the previous year.

Review your financial plan for the year

Have a big trip coming up or renovating your place? Review your financial plans for the upcoming year so your funds will be where you need them just in case you have an unexpected car payment or pet medical bill. Set up an auto deposit into your savings account every month to help you save more this upcoming year.

Plan out benchmarks and smaller items for yearly goals

It’s great to have plans and goals for the upcoming year, but save yourself the heartache by scheduling out benchmarks and break down your goals into actionable steps. Want to read 12 books next year? Write down reminders each month to help keep you on track. That way November doesn’t roll around and you’ve completely forgotten all the goals you made at the start of the year.

Check expirations dates on passports, licenses, etc.

Nothing is worse than getting ready for a trip to find out your passport is expired. Check all your major documents to see if anything needs to be renewed this year and write it down in your planner. That way you’ll have plenty of time to prepare and won’t be caught off guard.

Schedule meeting for taxes

Now is a good time to get on top of next year’s tax season. I know it sucks, but you’ll thank me later.

Clean out your fridge and pantry

With all the holiday parties over and the leftovers piled up, now is a great time to go through your fridge and pantry to get rid of expired, old food. Check expiration dates, clean the shelves of crumbs and stains, and reorganize.

Make reservations for important holidays and occasions

Book hotels, restaurants, and other important occasions now so they’re all set and out of the way. Alex and I eat at the same restaurant on our anniversary every year, so might as well book the reservation now rather than waiting until the event gets too close and we can’t get a good time. If it’s too far in advance to book at some places, write down a reminder in your planner when you’re able to book.

Doing a few of these things now before the start of the year will help clear your mind and set 2022 up for success.

Six months into 2021 and it felt time to check in on how progress is going on my 21 Things to Do in 2021 List. If you want to see the reasoning behind these 21 things, go check out that post first.

Create an embroidery design from my own pattern

The photo of the embroidery project farther down in this post is in fact my own creation! I still very much love doing kits, but it was fun to try something on my own.

Do a pull-up

So I’m definitely not there yet, but I’m WAY closer than I was at the start of 2021. With rock climbing a couple of times a week I see a lot of progress and I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to do this by the end of the year.

Visit my best friend in Washington or her here

My best friend Lauren came to visit for a number of days in February and it was completely glorious. Days of Stardew Valley, junk food, and staying in our pjs all day.

Create more than five board game videos

I’ve done two board game videos so far and think I can definitely hit five by the end of the year!

Read 12 books

Done and dusted. This one was actually way easier than I expected. I plowed through a ton of books in the first few months of the year. Of course now I’m back to not reading at all…

Go for a hike

Now what exactly counts as a hike? I feel like I’ve been on quite a few walks and adventures, but don’t know if they count as a “hike.”

Housewarming for my sister

My older sister and her husband are building a house that will be hopefully finished sometime in November. I’d love to help them throw a party to celebrate.

Keep up with Powersheets

This one is marked in a different color because I completely abandoned Powersheets just a few short weeks after 2021 started. I just don’t like structuring my goals this way and it put a lot of pressure on me for no reason. So off the 21 things list…

30 day yoga challenge

With all the rock climbing we’ve been doing I just haven’t felt the urge to do yoga, but with the heat of the summer making rock climbing too hot, this may be my summer activity after all.

Bake macarons

I have legitimately everything I need to make macarons, but the fear of failure and constant warnings from the internet about their difficulty have put me off of the idea. I still haven’t mustered the energy to give them a go.

Climb the hardest wall at the rock climbing gym

Now that I know more about rock climbing, this to do had good intentions, but is a bit off base. I’ve climbed some seriously difficult routes for myself, but the “hardest rock wall” is probably out of the question.

Play all unplayed board games

Alex and I are slowly making our way through our unplayed collection now that we can have a few friends over.

Mulch flower beds

We bought WAY too much mulch and it took ages, but our flowerbeds have never looked better. Plus I added a few new peony bushes this year.

Take a week off work

When Lauren came to town I took a week off work and it was amazing. Alex and I are making an effort to take more time off work this year and I think it’s been hugely beneficial to our mental health.

Finish the master bedroom

Well, there’s a dresser now but no headboard…but I feel like this room makes me content as it is…so does that mean it’s done?

Propagate plants

I tried my hand at propagation this year and I’m loving it. I’ve propagated around five different plants now and it’s way easier that I thought.

Solar system embroidery

I’m still deeply into embroidery, but this is a project I just haven’t felt inspired to do.

Organize pins by theme

One procrastinating day earlier this year found me organizing all of our pins and I love being able to see them based on theme now.

Miniature coffee shop model

Another project I haven’t felt the motivation to do. It seems like it will be a really great winter activity.

Declutter house of unnecessary things

I’m on a lifelong journey of ridding myself of unnecessary fluff in my life. Our house is more decluttered than ever before, but is it ever really DONE?

Celebrate my husband’s 30th birthday

Alex’s 30th birthday wasn’t as big as I had hoped it would be (here’s looking at you COVID), but I still think he had a great time celebrating with our “pod” of friends we hung out with to keep sane.

So overall I’m still really happy with these 21 things and it’s fun to try and accomplish these rather than goals. Even though technically that’s exactly what these are. Just without the pressure…

We’re all more than happy to kick 2020 to the curb. Unfortunately as much as we can hope, I doubt January 1st will look that different. So I’m focusing on the positive and sharing my to do list to have something to look forward to in the upcoming year. What would be on your 2021 list?

Create an embroidery design from my own pattern

I’ve done a number of pre-made kits, but I’m excited to try my hand at drawing my own pattern and embroidering it. If you’re new to embroidery or are interested in learning more, check out this post on how to get started with embroidery.

Do a pull-up

Even at my strongest I’ve never been able to do a pull-up. I’m making it a goal that by the end of the year to do just one. With all this rock climbing I’m well on my way. If it doesn’t happen I’ll be bummed, but I’ll still be a hell of a lot stronger than when 2021 started.

Visit my best friend in Washington or her here

I’ve had the great misfortune i having my best friend live out of state for the majority of our 15 year friendship. We always make an effort to see each other at least once a year and I’d love to find a way to safely see her in 2021. Plus another trip out to Washington would be lovely.

Create more than five board game videos

I must admit, I’m a chicken when it comes to filming my board game videos. They’re the hardest videos for me to make because I want them to be perfect, filmed well, and full of details. I go as far as to write a script and shot list for each video to make sure I don’t miss anything. I’d love to do more in 2021. 

Read 12 books

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I used to LOVE reading. I would devour books whole, stay up way past my bedtime, and be in a real funk after a great story ended. I went through a phase of reading this past year, but had trouble sustaining it. I would love to read just one book a month because I truly do love it when I’m reading, I just have to get myself to remember that.

Go for a hike

I’m trying my damn best to be more active and increase my recreational activities. Michigan has countless hiking trails and really great views. I’m determined to take advantage of at least one of them.

Housewarming for my sister

My older sister and her husband are building a house in 2021 and I would love to throw her a housewarming no matter what it looks like pandemic wise. In person or online, I’d really love to celebrate this awesome accomplishment.

Keep up with Powersheets

Now if any of these to do list items won’t happen, it’s probably this one. I’ve tried to keep up with Powersheets in the past and have failed miserably, but this year I’m really happy with my goals and want to put my best effort into routinely checking back on how they’re going.

30 day yoga challenge

Another one of those things I usually only get to day 16 of before falling off the bandwagon, but I refuse to let perfect be the enemy of good. I’m partial to Yoga with Adriene on YouTube who has a 30 day yoga journey starting in January.

Bake macarons

I have legitimately everything I need to make macarons, but the fear of failure and constant warnings from the internet about their difficulty have put me off of the idea. This year I’ll try, even if it results in a messy kitchen and nothing else to show for it.

Climb the hardest wall at the rock climbing gym

It’s the one you see right when you walk in. It’s tall, covered in crazy angles, and even the best climbers in the gym seem iffy about it. Now I’m not saying it’ll be pretty, but I want to get to the top of that route by the end of the year.

Play all unplayed board games

My husband and I are board game addicts and find ourselves with a handful on our shelves we have yet to even play. We played two of them on Christmas day and it was glorious. We’ll play the rest of them by year’s end.

Mulch flower beds

One of those adulting things I’ve put off for two years too long. I love my houseplants to death, but have really no interest in outdoor gardening despite my best efforts. I’ll be so happy with how our home looks with the mulch refreshed. Now to just keep reminding myself of that fact to encourage me to actually do it.

Take a week off work

I don’t even have to go anywhere, but I would love to take one random week off of work and turn everything off. Watch historical dramas, bake, play video games, and feel the gloriousness of being bored.

Finish the master bedroom

I’m so close to having the master bedroom fully decorated and I just need to finish it off. My husband has offered to make us a headboard and we need a dresser to deal with his constant floor-drobe issues, and it’ll be complete.

Propagate plants

I think it’s time to take my plant lady ways to new heights and start trying to propagate my plants. I would love it if every gift I gave in 2021 included a plant created from one in my collection.

Solar system embroidery

Alex and I had this collective idea for me to do a series of planet based embroidery. I think it will look so awesome to have all these finished hoops lined up in various sizes of the planets. It’s definitely going to be quite the undertaking.

Organize pins by theme

I have a lot of enamel pins. Like a lot. I’d love to take the time to organize them by theme and style one lazy weekend. 

Miniature coffee shop model

I’ve been itching to get started on my second miniature model. This coffee shop one is AMAZING and they’re so fun to put together. With my focus on crafting and hobbies in 2021, this is high on the list of things to create.

Declutter house of unnecessary things

I’m on a lifelong journey of ridding myself of unnecessary fluff in my life. I saw somewhere recently that said all that clutter in your house used to be money. That’s really stuck with me and although I cannot get even a quarter of that money back, I can rid myself of mental clutter and not feel like I’m one of those people who need a twelve person moving crew and two trucks to hold all of my posessions.

Celebrate my husband’s 30th birthday

Again I know it’s not going to be quite the same as years past, but I definitely want to do something special for Alex to celebrate his 30th year. Now the question is what. I’d love any ideas or help!

With only a few hours left until 2020 is a distant, horrible memory, I’m excited to start 2021 with positivity and a list of things to accomplish.