I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to work through my PowerSheets. In December, I already knew what I wanted my word of the year to be, but I was really looking forward to working out what that would actually look like for me in 2021.
My word for 2020 was “strengthen” and that definitely didn’t shake out in the way I intended it to. But, I did realize that word still applied. I had to find a new level of strength to go through a separation, a pregnancy, two moves, and adjusting to life as a mom of two! Looking back now, that word wasn’t wasted, even if my PowerSheets fell by the wayside by the end of the year. 2020 really took a lot of air out of me.
However, 2021? I’m off to a pretty good start. Last year broke me in a lot of ways. My body went through hell from IVF, pregnancy, and delivery. My heart went through the worst heartbreak. My finances and business took a nosedive. Just sooo many areas that took a turn for the worse, just like it did for so many people this past year.
So, the word I chose for 2021 is…
HEAL.
I did a lot of healing by the end of last year that I’m really proud of, but I have soooo much farther to go! I need to heal my heart, my body, my expenses, my faith, my business. I could go on and on!
Working through my PowerSheets this time had a much different feel about it because of what I had just walked through. It felt like there was so much power and potential to truly make 2021 my best year yet!
It feels like February is practically over, and I’ve been making pretty good progress on my goals so far. I’m so psyched! I’m also just genuinely excited about my overarching goals for the year! I created eight goals for myself!
1. Deepen my faith.
I’ve been working on this one so intensely, and I’m already seeing the impact on my life. It’s been feeling soo good and I’m so excited to keep pursuing God with my whole heart! I can’t wait to share more about what He is doing in my life, and the tools I’m using to help with this goal!
2. Cultivate contentment.
This past year, I used shopping as a coping mechanism. And I don’t even consider what I did as “shopping” but the point is that I was spending money, somewhat carelessly. That’s not who I am, and it doesn’t feel good. I live a very simple and minimal lifestyle, and I was starting to lose sight of that. So, I’m doing another “no-spend” year, and I’m loving it.
3. Take care of my body.
Phew. This one is harder than it ever has been. I went through IVF, a brutal pregnancy, and a very rough labor and delivery in less than a year. My body is strong, for all it’s been through, but it needs some TLC, that’s for sure! Focusing on moving my body, eating foods that make me feel good, and being proactive about my health (like starting pelvic floor rehab!).
4. Love my children well.
Lily and James are my absolute world. Literally the only reason I was able to make it through this past year. I want to love them in the ways that they feel most loved. I want to create a relationship with them where they know I’m always going to be there no matter what. I can’t quite articulate exactly what this goal means to me, but I’m super excited about it.
5. Reduce consumer debt.
In March of 2020, I paid off the last of all my debt outside of my student loans. It felt really effing great. That lasted about four months. When I moved back to Maine, I ended up accumulating consumer debt again, and it was unavoidable. I’m doing really well with this goal right now, and I haven’t added any new debt since August, and that feels really really good! Can’t wait to see those balances shrink!
6. Grow my business.
Pandemic, morning sickness, moving states, and a birth can sure shake a business up! Things definitely took a hit last year, but I’m so freaking fired up to focus on this again this year!! This business is not something I plan to give up on, ever. But, it’s going to take a lot of work to re-establish myself as a photographer in Southern Maine!
My other two goals feel deeply personal, so it’s not something I want to share publicly. 🙂
I think this is the most excited I’ve felt about goals I’ve created in a long time. It’s also been super fun coming up with the mini goals and action steps for each one!
Tell me, do you like to set goals?! If so, what are your goals for this year??
P.S. Don’t have PowerSheets, but want a super intentional way of setting meaningful goals? Check out this blog series >>HERE<<
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.
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[…] many people, 2021 was incredibly challenging for me. It was also a year of tremendous growth. I set my word for the year as “heal,” and as I sit here in the new year, reflecting, I can see that for the first […]