A Mid-Year Update on the 21 in 2021 List

This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 6/21/21.

Can you believe we are already halfway through 2021?! I don’t know about you, but to me, it feels like this year is flying by. When I realized it was time to do a mid-year check-in on my 21 in 2021 list, I couldn’t believe it. 

At the start of 2021, I forewent making New Year’s resolutions for the second year in a row and instead made a bucket list of 21 things I want to do in 2021. I made a list with 20 things last year and found the experience to be really enjoyable! 

Around this time last year, I did a mid-year check-in on that 20 in 2020 list because, like all of us, 2020 turned out to be much different than how I was imagining it would be. So, I used being halfway through the year as a needed opportunity to revise my list accordingly.

And while we are *thankfully* not dealing with the exact same circumstances as last year, I decided I still wanted to do a mid-year check-in this year too. I liked the intention of taking a beat to revisit plans I had for the year and adjusting. Things, feelings and circumstances naturally ebb and flow, so something that was a goal or a priority at the beginning of the year may not feel as important now, and that’s fine!  

Even though it feels like 2021 is zooming by, there is still a lot of time left to enjoy what matters most to each of us. But in order to do that, we need to first spend time thinking about what actually are the things that matter most to us right now. So today, I’m sharing my 21 in 2021 check-in today in case it piques your interest or prompts you to reflect on how you want to spend your time in the second half of this year. Here’s the hoping the second half of this year is filled with fun, memorable times for all!  

21 in 2021 List:

1. Listen to The Daily most weekday mornings I started doing this, and while I like the podcast, I don’t think I need it to be part of my everyday routine. My intention with this one is to be more in tune with what’s happening, so maybe I need to try another source. Does anyone have a daily newsletter or news podcast they love?  
2. Buy a light that attaches to my laptop for better lighting in video calls Done!
3. Decide on a note-taking method for nonfiction books Done! To keep it simple I started transcribing my notes into one Google Doc. No fancy organization, although I did add a Table of Contents so that I can remember which books I have notes for.
4. Write in my new one-line-a-day journal most nights Still love doing this 
5. Write 12 monthly recaps to remember little things that happened Recaps from Jan-May are done, and June is coming in two weeks!
6. Organize photos from college to now This is a good reminder that I need to do this… 
7. Read 50 books Feels like it’s been SUCH a good year of reading. I’m currently at 26 books read for the year (right on track!) and my favorites include: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Happier at Home, Think Again and Drop the Ball for nonfiction and People We Meet on Vacation, Homegoing and Midnight Library for fiction. 
8. Read for 21 minutes every day Love that this is now part of my routine. Think I’ve only missed a few days!
9. Go the whole year without mindlessly scrolling social media before bed (see above) Similarly, love that this is just part of my routine. Of course, there are some days I still find myself scrolling before bed, but yay that it’s no longer automatic.
10. Help plan a unique celebration of life event for my grandma Happening in a few weeks! Can’t wait. 
11.  Purchase art for apartment Done!
12. Weekly phone call with a friend or family member I’ve realized a call feels daunting to me for some reason, which makes me likely to put this off. So instead of not reaching out altogether, I’m adjusting this one to proactively text a friend or family member each week. 
13. Say “yes” as much as possible when asked to do something by someone for the first time Going well! 
14. Make a meaningful donation to two different organizations Need to get on this. 
15. Join a running group Ugh. I’m currently dealing with a running inquiry (womp womp), but I’m hopeful I’ll feel better soon so keeping it on the list. 
16. Plan a virtual get-together or trip with friends or family members each quarter So far so good!
17. Go on a solo adventure monthly I love doing things solo, so I feel like I’ve done this, but I don’t have record of it. Going to start adding to my monthly recaps. 
18. Purchase a meaningful piece of jewelry Done!
19. Start a new monthly series for the newsletter Lighter & Brighter series!
20. Get a facial and learn more about my skin from an esthetician Have an appointment scheduled for July. 
21. Master baking a dessert and declare it my “go-to” dessert dish Need to get on this! Anyone have a favorite recipe? 

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