Update of my 22 for 2022 List
I haven’t always done a mid-year goal update, but I thought it would be fun to do one this year. That way, I can share where I’m at with my goals and what I’ll be focusing on in the second half of the year - particularly since we are now well past the halfway point!
Not only have I been working on my 22 for 2022 list, but I have also tried to remain focused on my word of the year, which was alignment. That has probably my favorite word of the year, and it's the one that's come up the most.
However, earlier this year, I felt like the word of the year had drifted to the back burner, so I made an iPhone background that used the word to bring it front of mind. And within a few months, I was able to replace my background again because I didn't feel like I needed it anymore. My life really feels like it is in alignment! There have been so many cool moments throughout the year where everything has lined up perfectly - and I was able to notice it largely, I suspect, because of my word of the year. So it has been fun to have that framework, and seeing how it has naturally integrated into my life has been really special.
In addition to my word of the year, however, I have also been focused on my 22 for 2022 list, which I broke down into 11 activities and 11 achievements. So far, I think I have done pretty well…
Try cryotherapy - DONE. I was able to check this goal off early in the year, and it was definitely a unique experience. I knew it wasn’t something I planned to make a regular part of my life (and it still is not), but I enjoyed trying something new at -147 degrees.
Try a sensory deprivation tank - DONE. I got this done the same day I tried cryotherapy because the two places were actually right down the street from each other. Some friends had cautioned me against doing the two extreme sensory experiences in one day, but it worked out great for me and made for one day packed with fun new experiences. Although I doubt I will make this a regular practice either, it was cool to experience (something close to) sensory deprivation.
Go on one trip with a friend - IN PROCESS. I have this trip planned but have yet to take it. I’m enjoying having it to look forward to, especially since so many of my other fun goals have already been checked off!
Take a typing class - IN PROCESS. This goal is one that I probably should’ve considered a bit more before beginning, but on a slow afternoon in January, I dove right into a free typing program that I found online. After going through the reintegration of all the correct positioning, etc, in the program, I realized that there were an additional 500 levels I could do to continue practicing. Although I am not sure I will complete all the levels, and I haven’t fully integrated the proper typing form into my regular practice (which actually wasn’t the goal), I’m happy with my progress and plan to continue to work on this throughout the rest of the year.
Start going to the gym again - DONE. While I was on spring break from school I was able to add the gym back into my daily routine, and I have not looked back! It definitely takes quite a bit of time since I go just about every day the gym is open, and it is located quite far from my house, but it has a set block of time, and I have really enjoyed getting back into this fitness habit.
Go to a Kraken game - DONE. Originally this goal was to see the northern lights, which I planned to do on a trip I took to Alaska. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and instead of trying and figuring out another way to make it happen, I decided I would switch the goal with something that had a similar intent. So, since seeing the northern lights was something on my bucket list I wanted to do for fun, I added something else that checked both of those boxes and loved it.
Go on a dog sled ride - DONE. Now, this I did get done on my trip to Alaska, and I got to do it out in the woods with a guy and his team who has won a bunch of races and even competed in the Iditarod. It was cold and different than I expected, but definitely such a thrill!
Visit a hot spring - DONE. This is something else that I got to check off in Alaska, up in the mountains and surrounded by snow. On our second dip in the hot springs, it was actually snowing, and the most magical experience. Since I also have some bigger goals on my list, it was nice to balance them out with fun, light experiences like this.
Get a faux tattoo - DONE. Technically, this goal is done. I got and have used some of my faux tattoos. I still have more to use and plan to do so as the summer goes on, but I have tried this activity. I’m still undecided about whether a more permanent tattoo is in my future, but the faux ones have been a fun thing to experiment with.
Go to the movies one time a month with someone - IN PROCESS. So far, I’m on track for checking off this goal. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with people within the context of storylines, actors, or universes that we mutually enjoy. It has made for a lot of great evenings and conversations. The coming months are looking a bit sparse for good new releases, and I’m starting to wonder how I’ll make that work, but I’m sure I will. I definitely plan to keep this up even after this year - although probably with less pressure to go every month.
Read books that I like more - IN PROCESS. So far, this is one of my favorite goals. I wasn’t entirely sure what this would look like, but so far, it has included giving up on about a dozen books once I started them and more intentionally picking most of the rest. Despite my concern, I’m actually reading more and getting through more books than I expected since I’m enjoying what I’m reading and actually want to spend additional time reading it (at least most of the time).
In addition to these activities, I’ve been working on checking off these 11 achievements this year:
Watch Ted Lasso - DONE. I got this done just a few weeks ago and have to admit to already watching it multiple times. I was definitely skeptical going in, but it fully lives up to the hype and more. I suspect I will have to re-check this off later in the year after watching season 3 whenever it comes out, but I am more than willing to do that.
Watch Frasier - DONE. I got this one started early in the year and enjoyed the psychological humor of this show, as well as its Seattle setting. So, getting through the entire show was relatively effortless. Also, I recently saw that there may be a revival of some kind, so this may be another goal that I have to re-check off at some point in the future.
Get TSA Pre-Check - DONE. This was my easy goal this year, and I checked it off early in January. It has already been such a plus on all the trips that I’ve taken this year, and it has removed the stress from several that I have planned for the future.
Do 50 pushups at one time, altogether- IN PROCESS. I have gotten close to this goal in several ways, but I’m not quite there yet. I’m not worried about it, though, I have confidence in my ability to keep pushing myself until I do.
Do an 8-minute mile - IN PROCESS. This one I have gotten super close to with an 8:06 mile. I have just a bit more to do to get there, and I know I will, probably before too long.
Get new shoes - IN PROCESS. I definitely had a slow start with this goal, and I’m still wearing a lot of shoes that definitely need to be replaced. I have started to purchase a few new ones as I find shoes that I like, but I still have a ways to go.
Get a robot vacuum -DONE. I was planning to wait until the end of the year to get a robot vacuum, but I found what I was looking for just last week and decided I may check vacuuming permanently off my to-do list - and I may as well do that now, rather than months from now.
Get a nice puffer coat - DONE. This was another easy goal that I wanted to check off before I went to Alaska, and thanks to some advice from a friend, I found what I needed and have been wearing it just about every day since.
Use all of my gift cards - IN PROCESS. I haven’t been doing great with this goal, but I am working on it. I’ve found that some I am more inclined to use some gift cards than others, which has been interesting to observe, and although I may not have used all my gift cards by the end of the year, I hope to be much closer than I am now.
Publish my book - IN PROCESS. I’m so excited about how close my book has gotten to publication and about the feedback I’ve gotten from the few other people who have had a chance to read it. There’s still a bit more work ahead before publication, but I’m right on schedule and hope you will have it in your hands very soon!
Graduate from grad school - IN PROCESS. This goal has definitely taken the most work and effort, but I’m steadily working through my program. Luckily, I am on track to graduate in December and have passed the halfway point. Finding a balance between this and everything else has been tricky, but that may actually be the most valuable skill I gain from this year.
Between the big things and the little things, there seems to be an odd sense of balance to my 22 for 2022 list, and I can’t wait to keep working towards checking everything off. And what’s more - all of it is in alignment with who I want to be and the life that I want to live.
I still have plenty to work on through the rest of the year, but I have managed to check off a lot of my fun smaller goals. As a result, I ended up making an entirely separate 22 for 2022 list with additional things I hope to do this year. Once again, some are pretty major, while most are just there to add a bit more excitement to my life! Although I don’t plan to share that list, I may just let you know how I do when the end of the year rolls around!
I will admit, a year with 44 goals feels pretty ambitious, but we will see how I do! And working on a list that long gives me hope that I can keep making my lists based on the year for several decades to come.
Until next time,