Goals 2025/26

[smallhobbit]

Every year it becomes harder to set goals, and yet again, particularly since I'm doing 25 Things in 2025, I wondered whether to bother, but 25 Things are short term, generally one-offs, and I don't think it hurts to look ahead and think about what I'd like to achieve in twelve months time.

So, lets go for a variety of goals:-

Goal No 1: Do a Themed Monthly Post
I've done this in the past, quite often with photos.  If anyone would like to suggest a theme, please do so, as I haven't yet decided on one.

Goal No 2: Accept the Unexpected
Now, I know the saying is usually, 'Expect the unexpected', but this is more working with the unexpected when it happens.  It's said that a battle plan never survives first contact with the enemy, but that's no reason to give up at that point.

Goal No 3: To Embrace My Personal Interests
Over the past few weeks I've been wondering why my daily To Do lists have had so much in the way of courses, crafting and writing, not to mention reading.  But it suddenly occurred to me, why worry about it - if I really didn't want to do as much, then I could cut back.  And if I do want to do all the courses/crafting/writing/reading&listening to books, then why not just enjoy it.  If it were impinging on other things then it would be a problem (I don't count dusting within that!), but it's not.  So what if I'm taking four online courses, stitching three or four different items, writing for three different challenges and have three books out of the library as well as the shelf and a bit of my own unread books - It's My Life!

Comments

[corvidology]

It is definitely your life and making time for things that bring you joy is always the right way to go! ♥

[smallhobbit]

Thank you for your vote of confidence :)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I do like the philosophy of #3. So what kinds of themes are you thinking of? Like Friday Five kind of things or more simple things (food, books, travel, etc.)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - the beauty of being retired and having launched the kids into their own lives!

As for the theme - I suppose something which reflects the changing year. Some years ago I posted a photo every month from the same spot, so I could go as simple as that. Or maybe something a little more involved - all suggestions gratefully received. I'm discounting books and crafts, because I do an end of month post anyway and travel (if it's interesting) I write about at the time.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Maybe a year? Then you could do personal and fictional.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Every year it becomes harder to set goals <<

O_O Oh, that sucks.

You might look at why that's happening. Less time or energy? Less predictability of schedule? Or maybe the methods you've been trying aren't the best fit?

It has taken me many years to build an approach that works for me, and I'm still tinkering with it all the time. Among my recent successes were one-day goals, which give me an immediate sense of accomplishment in January and also knock off things I would otherwise not get around to doing; and seasonal goals, which help spread the activity around more of the year.

>>Goal No 1: Do a Themed Monthly Post
I've done this in the past, quite often with photos. If anyone would like to suggest a theme, please do so, as I haven't yet decided on one.<<

Recurring Posts has a list of monthly themes, but some of the others would also work on that timeframe.

Books, crafts, theatre, and writing are all high-activity tags for you. Maybe one of those would make a good theme?


>>Goal No 2: Accept the Unexpected<<

I'd go with meditation for that. I tried looking up examples but the only ones online seem to be guided audio tracks. :/ Maybe try a library or bookstore; there are tons of books on meditation.


>>Goal No 3: To Embrace My Personal Interests<<

Go for it!

I highly recommend dating a hobby. Try one for a month or so -- buy a book, a beginner kit, take a workshop, etc. If you like it, you can do more; if not, no big deal.

Also, apparently reading 3 books on a topic makes you an expert. By that standard I'm an expert in almost everything, since I have inhaled whole libraries. But it really can be fun to jump into a new topic that way. Sometimes I hit a used book store and just buy random things that look fun.

I highly recommend YouTube for indulging interests. I've been watching videos on terrarium building, permaculture, and paleontology. Eons is awesome, and AntsCanada has three vivaria the size of walk-in closets. A previous round was things like hand-spinning and blending boards. Why anyone says YouTube is a waste of time is beyond me, I use it to binge information when I want to relax.

Re: Thoughts

[smallhobbit]

Thank you for your thoughts.

I've been retired for four years now and am quite happy with the way things are going, which is why I find it harder to select goals. Last year I did a personal review every month of various activities with a view to using the outcome to influence this year's goals, which confirmed that basically all was well. Much of what I do now has been influenced by goals in the past. Also, this year, the 25 things in 2025 have taken care of many of the smaller goals I might have, so I could have just opted out this year, but I was looking for annual rather than shorter goals. It is true that I do not have the energy I had when I was half this age, the age my kids currently are, but this is not a surprise, and therefore whatever I decide on has to reflect this.

The reason why the tags you've quoted are high-activity is that I'm already writing a monthly post on them. My current thinking is for something which reflects the changing year.

It's not so much the allowance for the unexpected, which I'm used to, but responding to it. Two recent examples: I was assisting at a church baptism last week, with the expectation of simply being at the back and welcoming people. Except that the mother and godparents were deaf, we had to find an interpreter in a hurry, and he came but had to bring his two children with him. So my quiet assistance meant entertaining and distracting the two-year old, very sweet but every so often she'd run up the front to daddy who couldn't both pick her up and sign at the same time. And then yesterday it was my turn to lead the prayers at church. I had them planned, but because it was Easter Sunday everything else took longer, so I had to do a hasty revamp of them.

I've done dating a hobby - which is what got me into cross stitch in the first place. And I used to go to a monthly craft group which gave the opportunity to dabble into different crafts, but the leader and ethos changed, it became less relaxed and I had other commitments for a few months, so I stopped going. The online courses I do have given me a wide variety of interests. In the past year I've learnt a lot about the night sky and space, many different sorts of mammals, the Greco-Roman world, and Japanese history amongst other things. Currently I'm learning about autism, transport and sustainability, and the use of numbers in science.

[rusty_armour]

I know I don't often comment on your "Goals" posts, but I do admire how you set these objectives for yourself. I really like Goal No 3. I'm someone who's often working on multiple things, even if it's just in terms of reading and writing. Actually, since university, I've found it next to impossible to limit myself to reading one thing at a time. I'm doing well if I'm just reading two things, so I can definitely relate to having three books out of the library at the same time. ;-)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I never expect people to comment, so it's lovely when they do!

The three books from the library is almost inevitable, since a library's unwritten rule is 'it is a truth universally acknowledged that three books reserved at different times will always arrive within a few days of each other' :D

[apachefirecat]

YES, it IS YOUR life, and you SHOULD enjoy it!!!

I very much have similar problems, as I'm sure you've guessed over the years. :)

But please allow me to point you to a particular video I shared today... It definitely hit home for me this week, after having worked almost 80 hours. Yes. In one week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvk6LtkmJdY&t=1s

[smallhobbit]

I enjoyed that video - thank you for sharing it.

80 hours is simply ridiculous!

[apachefirecat]

You're very welcome! It definitely rather DEMANDED my attention!

So says the woman finishing up on an almost 24-hour shift... Been here at work since 8pm last night and don't get off until 3pm today...