My "22 for 22" List
Last year I really enjoyed thinking about (and even doing some of) the items on my "21 for 2021" list.
This list was a compilation of goals, bucket list items, tasks, habits, and random wish list products I have wanted to try or buy for ages. Basically anything I wanted to do, achieve, become or buy in 2022 :-)
I first heard about this framework on one of my favourite podcasts: Happier Podcast with Gretchen Rubin (and Liz Craft) and thought it was worth a try. (You can read more on Gretchen's blog here and here).
In 2021 I ticked off 13 of the 21 items on my list and made progress towards two more, which doesn't seem too bad to me 😊
So what am I hoping to get done in 2022?
1. Look after my décolletage. Maybe this seems vain, but I feel like the skin of my neck and décolletage could use some dedicated TLC. I am already using Beauty Pie's Neck & Check Super Lift Serum-Spray but I feel I should be more consistent, especially if I want to see results.
2. Use my Koia London voucher. Gretchen Rubin recommends adding some easy items to your list so you can start ticking things off and build momentum. This birthday voucher should be one of those 🤞🤞🤞
3. Watch more Eddie Murphy movies. I keep hearing about how brilliant Eddie Murphy is so I feel like I am missing out by not being a movie a person (I'm more a TV/sitcom person). To start catching up I want to watch The Nutty Professor this year.
4. Prepare a will. This has been at the back of my mind for while now. I don't have much but I should still make it easy!
5. Start a podcast! I listen to so many podcasts it's kind of bizarre I don't have one of my own. (Or rather it's kind of bizarre that I've never at least attempted one of my own). I also have an urge to talk about Star Trek Voyager all the time so I would love to combine the two. I do have a friend who might be interested so watch this space!
6. Build in more regular exercise. I've been quite good at maintaining my 10K steps, and a regular yoga practice. However, I would love to incorporate higher-intensity activities, now that life has opened up. I have signed up for netball, which is a start (as long as the league actually starts!) and I'd love to add at least one dance class a week.
7. Foster/adopt a cat OR go to a cat café. I ❤️ 🐱. That is all.
8. Do the Compulsory Basic Training test. While I was sorting out my driving licence I decided to do the motor cycle theory at the same time. Completing the CBT is the next step. And it has to be quite soon as my theory test expires in October!
9. Order an at-home HPV test. This is a carry-over from 2021. The test has actually gone down in price so I have no excuse! In addition, it's time for me to start a monthly breast exam. I have to be honest I feel super queasy just thinking about this, but it's also a no-brainer.
10. Investigate annual health check. Still on the health theme - I realised recently that I might be eligible for an annual health check through my private health insurance (that I get through work). I need to check this out. As they say, prevention is better than cure.
11. Maintain my 2021 reading habit. In late 2021 I joined Gretchen's #Read21in21 bandwagon, and loved it. I'm so focused on the process of reading that I am less concerned about what I read. If this sounds bad to you it's not! It just means that I spend more time reading and less time deciding what to read 📚
12. Tackle DIY projects. I have so many to choose from! Bedroom, kitchen, balcony, or spare room. But this year I want to complete at least two more rooms (aka two more DIY projects). It turns out I hate DIY, so wish me luck!
13. Incorporate new habits. In 2021 I worked on building a few new daily habits: flossing, hydration, reading and 10K steps (while still maintaining the regular yoga practice from 2020). In 2022 I want to try-out meditation, increase my fruit and vegetable consumption (aka my 5-a-day), and work on SUPERSTREAK regularly.
14. Become a magistrate. Wow, this is another thing I have wanted to do for ages. And now they are even advertising for magistrates on the radio and on social media. I feel like that is a sign!
15. Install a CO2 alarm. Self-explanatory I hope!
16. Visit UK-based friends. The last two years have been weird, but one of the silver linings was seeing more of my friends who live in the UK but not in London (as we were confined to local travel). I would like to keep this up as it's been awesome to see friends more regularly. Expensive train tickets are going to be a challenge, but I hope to make it happen!
17. Find a local winter pub and frequent it! Pubs always look so cosy in the winter and I feel like I don't take advantage of this. Maybe 2022 will be the year I finally get into pubs.
18. More team work. I love (LOVE) being part of a high-performing team. Next best is being part of a hard-working team (I guess this explains why I rowed for so long!). This impulse is part of the reason sitcom writing appeals to me so much (at least the way they do it in the United States). So this year I hope to engineer myself into a fun team, whether it's at work or in one of my hobbies.
19. Set up writing accountability. I was really hoping to find an in-person writing group, but it turns out that is tricky to set up and get going. However there are online versions like Writers' Hour from The Writers' Salon (which is where I am writing this very blog post!). I've also explored using Focusmate, which seems like a great way use accountability to get stuff done.
20. Outdoor trips from London. I just got back from five weeks in Cape Town (which was amazing). While I was there I went on a number of walks and day hikes (and also happened to read Wild). I'd love to keep up the hikes as it turns out I really enjoyed them. Plus I'll do anything to get my ten thousand steps 🤣
21. Get a colour consultation 🌈 Okay, this could be one of my random phases (where I think something is incredibly important and cannot continue life without it one moment, and then look back a few weeks later and wonder, what was I thinking!). But I do want to work on my style and streamlining my wardrobe, and right now I feel like step #1 is understanding what colours actually suit me.
22. Declutter. I feel noticeably better when I'm in a de-cluttered environment. But getting rid of stuff can feel stressful and requires a lot of decision making. How should dispose of this? What if I'll need this one day. What if I make a mistake?? But by the end of 2022 I don't want anything I don't need, use regularly, or love in my home. Clutter be gone!
Right, that's everything. It's already March as I write this so I better crack on! If you've got a "22 for 22" list please share in the comments below.
Natalie x