Mid-Year Review: 20 Things I Want to Do in 2020

Photo I took last night in our yard, using
skills I learned in my photography class

1. "20 for 20" (20 minutes of exercise for 20 days each month)

On track: I'm averaging 20.6 days per month of at least 20 minutes of exercise.

2. Finish needlepoint project

No progress: I have a cross stitch project I bought in England in 1998. I've done everything except some outlining and detail work. I haven't worked on it yet this year, but I pulled it out of the closet and I've committed to doing something this week while I'm on staycation.

3. Go to specialist for my shoulder pain

Completed: I went to the doctor was diagnosed with internal impingement, which should be easily addressed with some physical therapy. I started physical therapy, but didn't stick with it due to the pandemic. I've been sporadic about doing my exercises.

4. Train for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler

Completed: When I set this goal at the beginning of the year, I specifically chose "train" rather than "run" because I wasn't sure if my body would be able to run it. Little did I know the pandemic wouldn't allow anyone to run it! I trained until the pandemic shut our in-person training program down. At that point I was having some Achilles pain and decided that continuing to run on my own wasn't necessary to mark this goal complete.

5. Take a photography course

Completed: I took an online iPhone photography course from Udemy and learned a lot about settings, composition, and editing. 

6. Draw a doodle each day

Completed: I did this every day in January and decided it wasn't something I was going to do for the whole year. Daily was too often. It was a fun creative outlet, though, and I've been doodling more often, enjoying it, and actually believing that I'm good at it. 

7. Take Freddy to a museum

No progress: This hasn't happened yet, and with the pandemic it certainly isn't going to happen anytime soon. Maybe we'll do an online museum tour.

8. Organize iPad layout to match iPhone

Minimal progress: My iPhone's layout is well-organized and efficient. My iPad's is not. I've chipped away at this a bit, but the number of apps on my iPad and the sheer amount of disorganization makes it daunting. 

9. Develop a regular strength training practice

No progress: I've done strength training a few times this year, but certainly nothing I would consider regular or consistent. 

10. Develop a regular meditation practice

Minimal progress: I've mediated more often than I've done strength training, but I'm still far from regular or consistent.

11. Do a special activity with Freddy monthly (e.g., tinker/doodle crate, bake)

On track: While this hasn't emerged in quite the way I visualized it, we have done projects together each month ranging from baking to building with LEGO to coloring. During the pandemic we've done a lot of walking together. Lately we've been playing LEGO Harry Potter on the Wii.

12. Set up a task list system like Josh's

No progress: this is like fixing the layout on my iPad - really daunting to undertake, but I know it would improve my efficiency.

13. Reduce my body fat percentage

Minimal progress: I was doing well on this until the pandemic. I've been steadily sliding backwards as I indulge in comfort eating. It's time to recognize that the pandemic isn't ending anytime soon and I need to take control of my choices here.

14. Take a coding course

No progress: I've looked at a couple of courses through Codecademy and Lynda. I haven't decided what to take yet, but I'm thinking an html web design course might be interesting and practical.

15. Do the full Happiness Project program

On track: I've been fully committed to this. I'm following the monthly resolution setting guides and evaluating what worked, what didn't, and what I learned at month's end. I'm turning what I've learned into possible "personal commandments" that I'll review at the end of the year.

16. Do the full Uncluttered program

Minimal progress: the Uncluttered program runs "live" three times a year, although I have access to it for life and can follow it at any time. I started the first live course at the beginning of the year and made it through the first month before deciding it wasn't the right time to be undertaking it. The second live course has been running during the pandemic which definitely hasn't been the right time. The third live course starts September 10. I think I may continue to progress through the course at my own pace over the summer. 

17. Keep a bullet journal

On track: I've been keeping a bullet journal since the beginning of the year. It works really well for me.

18. Develop a consistent morning practice

On track: At a minimum, I make my bed each morning. If I have a little more time, I include some yoga, affirmations, and aromatherapy. Ideally I'd like to include meditation and strength training, and perhaps some reading in a longer version of my morning practice. 

19. Research Lego Serious Play training (attend training?)

Completed: I researched this early in the year and was considering attending training sometime in the fall. With the pandemic, I'm definitely not going to training this year. Perhaps another year, although I don't feel a strong pull on this.

20. Select and read at least 1 book from Josh's word cloud reading project

Completed: I read Pride and Prejudice. I thoroughly enjoyed it!