There’s an interesting YouTube video by CGP Grey talking about New Year’s resolutions which struck a chord in me. I generally don’t do New Year’s resolutions precisely because I suck at them: I tend to forget about them quite quickly.

The idea of placing an overarching theme over a particular year appeals to me. I tend to suck in trying to skate towards a precise long term goal; I procrastinate a lot, and unless there’s a deadline attached I tend to avoid doing anything, which usually means personal projects end up unfinished. However, having some clarity on a theme – sort of a 1-year personal roadmap/mission statement – kind of makes it easier for me to at least keep such things at the top of my mind.

In a way, I’ve been doing themes already, at least a less structured version of it. 2018 was my year of blogging; admittedly, I slipped last year, having only written only over about half the number of posts than 2018. I’ll still probably try and be more regular in posting.

That said, I think 2020 will be the year of health and personal improvement for me. I’ve been going to the gym regularly since the start of the year, and I’ve been trying to be more active. I might try to pick up the clarinet again, who knows. But having that overarching theme kind of makes it easy to weigh things now, as I said: will this thing I’m about to choose be something aligning with that theme?

Aftewards though, there has to be some sort of check: how has my year been?

I’ll check in with you at the end of the year. So far though, it’s been pretty steady; fingers crossed.

Previously: Wall Time