The sun has set on November 2021! As the final month approaches, how do those resolutions look?
November 2021 signaled cold mornings, a major benchmark, and… not much else. I can honestly say that with each 2021 resolution, I take two steps forward with one, one step back with another, and then leave one completely in the dust. I’m intending to end the year strong, but it considering how strong my potential felt at the beginning of the year, the end doesn’t feel as fulfilling as it could.
So, now it’s time to reflect on my 2021 resolutions, and my progress through November!
1. Redesigning the Blog.
I accomplished this goal in August!
2. Sharpen my Spanish.
Honestly, I don’t know what I did this month, but I found myself mentally speaking Spanish and translating Spanish speakers around me a lot this month! Immersion is key!
3. Learn a New Language.
I finally took a step with this resolution, eleven months into the game. Last week, I viewed some of my Italian basics infographics! Did I memorize anything? No. However, I did learn how to pronounce certain sounds, and say certain basic words!
4. Do Blogmas.
I fleshed out each post. Blogmas begins tomorrow!
5. Post Consistently on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
I have missed only three dates this whole year! Way to go me!
6. Take Care of My Hair.
My hair has felt healthy and happy lately! I should brush it at the beginning and end of every day, but in general, I’m not using AS much heat. In addition, I’m washing my hair after I sweat to prevent oil buildup. My hair falls just above my shoulders these days, and I miss having long hair! In 2022, I’m hoping to let it grow out again.
7. Read the Books I Didn’t Read Last Year.
I’m still reading the same two books! I don’t think I’m going to be able to read fourteen books, give or take, in a month. OR CAN I?
8. Moisturize with Sunscreen Every Day.
Habit = achieved!
9. Drink More Water.
My water consumption has gone well this month! I attribute, again, to Crystal Lite, Buble sparkling water, and sweating my face off while running. The temperature drop makes a crazy difference!
10. Play Chess Once a Week.
I think I played twice this month!
11. Finally watch “The Crown,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Undoing,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor.”
I completed this list! From my current list, throughout the month of November 2021, I made quite the dent! I finished “Mythic Quest,” “Sex and the City,” “Maid,” and “It’s a Sin.” I don’t think I’ll finish the list by the end of the year. However, I loved each of these shows from beginning to end, even if the latter two broke my heart. A lot.
12. Become a Master Listener on Audible and Earn All Audible Badges.
I listened to Audible several times this month, and somehow earned a badge!
13. Run a 30 Minute 5K.
In the first week of November, I ran my first ever 5K! I finished at around 38 minutes. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? Wow! I’m still so proud of myself. Certainly, I can’t shave off EIGHT minutes in a month’s time, but give me four months. Who knows?
14. Actually Use My Camera.
That camera has stayed nestled in its case for over a year. What a stone cold bummer.
15. Whiten My Teeth.
I think I did this twice this month!
16. Write More.
Unfortunately, I haven’t finished a project yet. However, I did flesh out one! This morning, I woke up at 4AM feeling a bit anxious. I tossed and turned trying to fall back to sleep, but eventually, my thoughts went BACK to that project, and even drifted to another! The winds are changing, I can feel it.
In November 2021, I wanted to work on these five goals:
- My reading. I failed miserably. I’m still working on “On Writing!”
- My teeth. I promised myself that I would whitestrip twice this month. Check. Just the two times, but check nonetheless.
- My television. I finished “Sex and the City,” “Maid,” “It’s a Sin,” and “Mythic Quest.” Not all of the shows I intended to watch, but not too bad!
- Blogmas posts. Each post has been fleshed out for posting! Cool beans!
- Learn a new language. I intended to watch that ASL video on Youtube, and I did not. I made an inch of progress with Italian, but that doesn’t feel like much of a victory!
November 2021: A Reflection and What Comes Next
One month left in 2021! I will be writing almost every day, and hopefully reading every day to go with it. The intention remains to close out 2021 strong!
In December, I want to focus on these five goals:
- My reading. The same thing I wrote last month could apply here. I’m going to throw “On Writing” into the ocean if I don’t finish it by the end of the year. All the same books on my list remain, and I’ve mentally added two others! I am a true masochist for the written word.
- Play Chess Once a Week. I’m going to attempt this this month! Somehow, I will fit it where I can.
- My television. I don’t even think I’ve made an updated list for the shows I’ve watched this year! My intention for December consists of watching as many shows as I can, so that I have a clean state for 2022. In 2022, I would rather focus on film and writing, and save my tv show watching to the series I’m expecting!
- Blogmas posts. Tomorrow marks Blogmas! Let the games begin!
- Run a 30 Minute 5K. After finishing the 5K at the beginning of this month, I tapered down my running to once or twice a week. Registration for the next 5K begins next week, so it’s time to stop coasting and get roasting… my personal record.
I went into this post thinking I had nothing to show for November. However, looking back, I’m proud of my progress, where it’s been made! And now, I’m lacing up my metaphorical sneakers to sprint toward the 2021 finish line. Physically, I’m on my couch, but real sneakers could slip onto my feet in ten hours time. Who knows?