Well, the new year kicked off with a bang, and there’s absolutely no sign that things will slow down anytime soon… That means now is the perfect time to assess 2020, deciding what we want to take with us into 2021 and what we want to leave behind. 

Visualize yourself in hiking gear with a backpack strapped to your shoulders. For many, the pack is huge and bursting at the seams after a year like 2020. It’s overstuffed with priorities, responsibilities, hopes and worries. If that crushing weight sounds all too familiar, it’s likely that you’re already feeling the symptoms of burnout. 

Let’s spend a few minutes exercising our life planning muscles, so we can walk into 2021 with a lighter load and more time and energy to focus on what’s truly important. You can do this! All you need to do is give me five minutes and jot down two lists. And who doesn’t love making lists? 

Step Two: Decide to Take It or Leave It (link: if you missed step 1) 

1. “Take It” List: Start by thinking back on 2020 and deciding what you want to keep in your pack. What energized you? What brought you happiness? What did you love? You can use your “Thank You 2020” list (link) to get started.

• • Here are some examples from my list:
    • Family Fun Time (games, joke-telling, wrestling)
    • Flexibility in my work and personal schedules
    • Asking for Support and Accepting Help
    • Outdoor Adventures (family walks, gardening, camping)
    • Renewed passion for Understanding and Being Connected with others, regardless of our differences
    • Reduced Carbon Footprint (less driving, year-round composting, no more paper napkins/towels)
    • Relationship Work (morning connect, joint financial planning, open communication)
    • Reconnecting with old friends

2. “Leave It” List: Next, think back on the things from 2020 that you want to remove from your pack. What drained your energy? What made you unhappy? What caused excessive stress? This list is critical and often forgotten. It may be significantly longer than your “keep it” list and that’s OK because the goal is to make space for you and give you room to grow.

• • Here are some examples from my list:
    • Being Addicted to the News
    • Poor Eating Habits (although I love our newfound love for baking)
    • Feeling Trapped and Waiting (Now is the time!)
    • Overscheduling my Life and my family’s lives
    • Not Listening with my Full Attention (putting my phone away, reducing social media time)
    • Unhealthy Relationships
    • Judgement that I am Not Enough. Ok, I can only honestly leave 50% of this one behind, but that’s huge progress
    • Unprocessed Grief (from the rapidly closed chapter of my military life, old relationships, our cat who passed away in Nov)

Finally, review your lists and highlight three things in each that will make the biggest difference in your life right now. These are your priorities for 2021: the things you will take and the things you will let go. Keep your list somewhere you will see it often and be brave about sharing it with your loved ones. Share yours in the comments here. 

Well done! You’ve started the personal growth process by just putting pen to paper. If you are looking for more ways to make 2021 your best year yet, my classes are now live. Prioritize My Life, Organize My Space. 

Last Week: Thanking 2020

This Week: Take It or Leave It

Next Week: Goal Setting