Remember how much anticipation we all had for the year 2020? Just the number itself presented a whole host of opportunities for creative spins on the hopes and dreams that a new year brings.
Even I was emboldened enough to put forth a set of 20 Targets for ’20 for myself. The easiest of which was to report on my progress of achieving those targets on the 20th of each month that, of course, I never did. Didn’t even publish a monthly post on the progress in January. I’ll get to an assessment on reaching the other 19 targets shortly. Needless to say, I won’t be publishing any goals, targets, challenges, resolutions, etc for 2021. Well, I might sort of, but it won’t be just yet.
At this point last year, much of the world was just beginning to hear about a mysterious and apparently deadly virus affecting people in a faraway city. I’d ventured to say that many didn’t even know that there was a city in China named Wuhan and they’d never heard the term “wet market”. News reports in the following days and early weeks of 2020 focused mostly the day-to-day events. Very little of the information ventured into the topic of the virus’s potential spread. Perhaps that was due to some of the intentional “misinformation” coming from oversight agencies and governments who may have been protecting other interests. We had no idea the impact COVID-19 would have had and continues to have on our lives. Hindsight is 20/20, indeed!
Even so, I’d like to go over what did occur in the year 2020. Retirement went as planned, Drum Roll, Please, ticked off Another Year – 5th Blog Anniversary, and “celebrated” my Long-Awaited Beddian Birthday. What didn’t occur due to social distancing guidelines were any in-person celebrations for these events. Nor did we log any travel miles or attend in person two weddings as well as several funerals.
Blog-wise, this post is the 50th one published this year which means I fell far short of my typical plans for three posts a week. I will be pondering on this in my planning for future posts. The top five view getters and the year first published were:
DIY: Retirement Survival Kit (2016)
Pearls – Magnificent 8 Collaboration (2020)
Would You, Could You? Puffer Jacket & Hiking Boots (2020)
Age-Appropriate: Can Your Mother Wear Combat Boots? (2015)
Drum Roll, Please (2020)
And those 20 targets for the year 2020 I set for myself? I missed on all of them, a couple of them like getting massages and hosting gatherings due to social distancing guidelines. Mostly, I’d set expectations for myself that were not realistic. Even developing a daily practice of meditation or devoting 20 minutes a day to writing mostly fell to the wayside. With a smaller list, I might have had more success. Lesson learned.
At this point, my thoughts now turn to 2021, and of course, I wonder what the year will hold. It might be best not to plan too far in advance, though. Instead, I’ve chosen to see tomorrow as just the day after today. And December 31, 2021 as 364 days later. Each day in between presents as an opportunity for new starts and new accomplishments.
If I were to name one goal for the year, it would be to work on evolving my style and wardrobe now that I can dress solely as I desire without needing to conform to “office appropriate”. It’s only been in the last couple of months that I’ve dressed every day as if I were going out and about even though I mostly didn’t. There were so very few photo-worthy outfits to report on back in May, June, and July that I “retired” my weekly recap. I plan to start publishing an updated version in the new year.
The outfit in these photos serves as an example of the direction I think my style is heading. A blend of thrifting finds and retail purchases. A mix of classic elements and trending details. An exploration of proportions and textures.
I hope that the new year is filled with new adventures and accomplishments for you. And that you and those you love are healthy and happy. As for me, this evening will be spent as most have been for much of the year. Dinner at home with our son and then The Husband and I will be searching for our next TV viewing binge. How are you bidding farewell to 2020? And what are you planning for 2021?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
13 Comments
It will be a normal evening tonight as we won’t have any family coming over. Kids hope to stay up later but we shall see. I am hoping to thrift more and spend less on clothes next year. Make better decisions on my purchases and continue to spend time outdoors!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Happy new year! I wish you lots of happiness and good health in 2021!
Thank you, Nancy. I wish the same for you and hope that your year to come is as fabulous as you are.
Great post and fun outfit, Rena! I really love those boots and they look perfect with that cute skirt. 2020 really caught us all off guard, didn’t it? I am making no plans for the new year except to focus on gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life. Living in the present moment is my intention since we never really do know what will be thrown at us next…as we all learned this past year! May 2021 be better in a million ways for all of us! Thanks for linking with me and thanks for your continued support and friendship!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thinking back on it, I’ve personally had worse years than 2020 but for all in general, last year was a real doozy for sure. And I’m most grateful for your support and friendship as well. On to better things in 2021.
We always end up spending our New Years Eve at home and end up in bed at just about the same time as always! I prefer that as I am not a fan of crowds anyway. LOL.
I know what you mean about not being a fan of crowds, COVID or not. Just too bad that even small gatherings were not safe to do. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I think we should all just LIVE in 2021! I am debating that to be my word for 2021, also. Last year was definitely tough and unexpected. I remember about your bedian birthday, also – cool! You look great and yes to retirement and dressing however you want. Loving this black+cream look Rena. T
hank you for linking up with Mireille and I for Sunday Showcase and welcome by every Thursday to link up with me. =)
Happy New Year 2021 dear Rena and let it be very healthy and as normal as possible for all of us!
Ada, thank you for your kind compliments. I like your idea that we should all just LIVE in 2021 and by that emphasis, I guess you mean to do so to the fullest extent possible. I couldn’t agree more.
What a year that was! Trying to have more positive thoughts this year. Great outfit too. Do stop by the #chicandstylish #linkup every Thursday. Jacqui x
I will definitely put your link-up on my list.
What a lovely outfit, I love that sweater and skirt combo. I did not celebrate New Years Eve because I didn’t think there was anything worth celebrating. Yes, 2020 was horrible, but I don’t have much hope for a better 2o21.
Personally, I’ve had years worse than 2020 but overall it was not a year that will be remembered with fondness. I’m feeling much more optimistic about 2021.