Welcome to 2021, friends! We’re over a week into the new year and a lot has happened where I am in America. This year I’ve decided to forgo my usual New Year’s resolutions and specific goal mapping in order to give myself more breathing room to grow. Instead, I decided to approach this year as more of a longevity lifestyle mindset. Meaning, I’m going to be pursuing things that aren’t specific to 2021 or tied to a timeline to happen. Three things I’ve been wanting to do but haven’t made the time for are how I want to tend to my mental health, specifically in 2021. These are generalizations with multiple tasks under them instead of something I would usually write out with a deadline and check off my resolutions list. 2020 was full of lessons, some I’m still unpacking, and I want to continue to maintain the growth I have made over the last twelve months. A way I will do this is by continuing to prioritize my mental health.
How To Care For Your Mental Health
Investing Into the Space
I’m spending 99% of my time at home (hopefully like most people) and I’ve noticed a large part of why I feel unsettled is because my space doesn’t quite reflect the tranquility I seek or represent me. In 2020 I made a few changes to my room like rearranging my furniture, and sprucing up my bedding. I’m going to continue this by painting my room a new color, getting a few things more organized, hanging up pieces for a gallery wall, and replacing my lighting.
Spending More Time Outdoors
I’m in the Midwest and a good chunk of the year is cold. The last few years I made it a point to become more active and now gyms are closed, I’ve found it challenging to stay active. I’m planning a socially distant spring road trip (so I’m not coming in contact with others) which will be spent outdoors. It’s nice to give myself something to plan and look forward to especially doing these cold, snowy months. I’ve also found so many incredible guides for how to be able to travel locally without putting others or myself at risk for COVID. I’m particularly looking forward to being able to spend more time outdoors within the next few months because I always feel like I’ve hit the “reset” button. My mind is always cleared and it helps me focus on life and tasks when I’m back indoors. The second half of 2021 and 2022 are going to be incredibly busy with work. I’m using this time to center, reflect, and be in the moment before everything picks up and I’m attached to my computer for long days.
Putting Yourself Out There + Connecting With Others
Believe it or not, I’m rather shy and putting myself out there is a bit scary for me. The world is still distancing and I’m not attending in person events, etc. I’m making it a priority this year to be open to new virtual opportunities and making new friends. I’m also going to try and seek these out. I’ve seen a lot of blog posts sharing ways people are staying connected during the pandemic. I’m going to revisit the list and choose a few to do. First on my radar are to connect with a small group and book club!
