The other night I found myself writing out plans and goals for 2022, instead of sleeping.
Truthfully I didn’t get very far, so I went back to bed and was not very successful at trying to sleep either.
I kept thinking about what I wanted to achieve and what kind of life I wanted to live.
The latter I am actually quite clear on.
Setting goals. Not so much. Just like I said in my previous post, I simply can’t put myself into that headspace at the moment.
I planned to set 5 Goals. I usually do. But I couldn’t come up with more than setting myself a reading challenge (the usual 200books a year)
Instead, I kept coming up with intentions.
Isn’t that the same you might ask?
Well, no. I don’t think so.
There is a difference between goals and intentions for me:
Intentions are key for moving towards anything, any direction. They are a driving force for everything in this life. They are the why in what we do. Any action gets meaning with intention. They are IMO key to success, though there’s no guarantee for it.
Goals are great because they help one achieve things. I like to tick off lists and goals. I generally like goals.
However, when one takes a step back and looks at life as a whole, goals are just the bottom line. They don’t necessarily equal success, they don’t define the meaning of actions.
They more like landmarks in this journey of life, that we set due to personal desires.
They also don’t adjust or take circumstances into account.
I am such a perfectionist that I will try and achieve my goals always. When I don’t manage to get them ticked off, I get highly self-critical. I tend to disregard any reason and simply keep pushing.
In 2021 I found myself exactly in that position. I had set goals and due to circumstances, they became impossible. I forgot that I am not in charge. I am not in control of the world. I can plan and try my best but I am not the Planner.
It really set me back. I felt paralyzed and stuck. I was unable to be creative. I felt kinda lost.
Until I was thrown out completely by a massive loss. Until I remembered.
So I disregarded all my goals. All of them. For a while, I just concentrated on my morning routines and generally ignored all aspirations. Just making it through the day, making time to heal and morn.
And after months I started writing down some micro-goals
So trying to set Goals for 2022, I find that I don’t want to set any of them. I feel a bit like a burnt child. Skittish. I worried to get stuck in the dark hole again to be disappointed in myself and lose trust in my abilities.
This is why I decided to just go with it. To set new and renew my intentions. I looked at what life I want, what is truly important to me and my why’s behind them all.
Somehow a list emerged, much less quantifiable but much more connected to my heart. It’s more subtle and also more diverse. It’s not quantifiable for many reasons but first and foremost, because the list describes more of a lifestyle. Most items on this list are somewhat connected and can’t be put into a time frame.
I found I was rather comfortable with this. I found that what I wrote on that list is my direction and most importantly a certainty that it will happen in its own time, unfolding as I move towards it.
Funny enough I felt very content with that and like I should have been doing this all along. I was not going to set any goals for 2022.
After writing down my intentions I saw a post by Julian DeSchutter on IG. He was talking about 7 things he wants to prioritize in 2022. It resonated so much with me and knew instantly what I would choose. So I wrote them down:
7 things I prioritize in 2022
- MORNING STILLNESS
Early mornings bring me clarity, peace and joy I carry throughout the whole day - INTENTIONALITY & REFLECTION
I believe Intentions are the source of success & contentment in life.
I need reflection to find clarity and work through my never-ending thoughts, but also to set intentions and find directions. - EXPLORE
I am happiest when I go on an adventure. Adventures being anything from going to a new place (even a new coffee shop), discovering artists & artisans, a morning walk, learning anything, travelling, learning about cultures & history to exploring nature. - CREATIVITY
Just enjoying the process. - MY HEALTH
- QUALITY TIME WITH (MY) PEOPLE
Make time for uninterrupted, meaningful interactions.
Enjoy good company - LIFSTYLE
Find a place to build a home.
Have less but quality possessions
Prioritize local & seasonal.
Slow down & enjoy the moment.
There is a sense of hope and new beginnings that emerged from this process. And I am savouring this feeling.
But then, on January 1st, I suddenly realised there are two goals I still wanna set myself. (I am the eternal overachiever I guess. )
The first is my reading goal. Same as always: Read 200 books.
The second is to take one photo every day. I will set no other boundaries. No theme no quality expectations. Not even that it needs to be taken with my canon. Just take one photo every single day.
Let’s see how this year unfolds…