July 2 is "halfway day" - the midpoint of 2022. It feels like a perfect time to check in and reflect on my one word theme - which was actually 2 words and my 22 for 22 list.
If you're not familiar with one word themes they are an alternative to New Year's Resolutions. You choose a word or phrase or mantra or theme that you keep throughout the year. This practice is done by many folks including well known folks like Gretchen Rubin, Ali Edwards, and Susannah Conway.
I've been selecting one word themes for many years. This year, my one word theme was actually two words; it was the first time I've ever not been able to choose just one word. The words are: persist and simplify.
When I chose them, persist had a very, very specific meaning for me - one that was decimated when I left my job of 23 years on January 14. That said, it has still served me well because I picked myself back up, dusted myself off, and just kept moving forward. Simplify also became really important after that January 14 marker as it was time to decide what mattered most to me in this life and to focus on that. With all my time now being my own I got to create the future I wanted and not live someone else's version of my life.
Photo by Ali Pazani, downloaded from Pexels 07-02-22
Each January, I also make a list of things that I'd like to get done during the year. This list has as many things on it as the number in the year - so this year there are 22. Today is a good time to check in on that list and see how I'm making progress.
Plan for a very good death at the end of a very good life - I've made virtually no progress on this and have actually gone a bit backwards. Since leaving my employer I've moved all of my financial stuff to new providers and have a lot of updating to do. I need to get much more focused on this as the year wraps up.
Work in intermittent packets on larger projects every day - This has been hit or miss. I have a LOT of large projects in play right now but have had a difficult time keeping each of them moving by working on them in smaller chunks. Definitely an opportunity to refresh.
Do a full happiness project - I started out great and then it all fizzled. Definitely am NOT doing a full one this year but perhaps a fourth quarter mini project might still happen.
Get back to a consistent morning routine that includes at least reading, writing, and exercise - I'm getting there but now thinking maybe this is a bedtime routine and not a morning routine now that life has changed so much.
Kona and I complete K9 CGC - DONE!! 😍
From G - Figure out what part of my life is just for me - I asked my bestie to give me one item for my list and she gave me this. Definitely this one is making some headway this year.
Tackle email - I've made progress but my inbox still isn't at 0 every day.
Find a church - I have identified a church I want to try and now just need to get motivated to go.
Host Thanksgiving - This is coming up and I'm excited to have my family here for the first time ever for a major holiday.
Send the Cards - Nope. Epic Fail
Create daily (video, tweet, write, cook, bake, craft, etc.); Establish a public sharing schedule - This one is going pretty well. While I haven't necessarily created every day, I have established a minimium weekly schedule and have hit it 18 of 20 weeks so far this year that I've been doing it. I report on my progress in my weekly newsletter.
Rest daily with intention (rest22in22) - I do this when it fits my schedule and I'm enjoying this
Fully embrace the kitchen - While I love my updated kitchen I can't say I've fully embraced it. I will redouble my efforts in the second half of the year.
Continue to simplify and minimize - I've done some good work here and have much more to do but definitely making progress.
Travel by Amtrak to Glacier National Park - DONE! 😍 Looking forward to posting the photos and video from this in the near future.
Work with a personal stylist to shop my wardrobe - I think this is going to get deleted and replaced with something else. My new life just doesn't require this.
Celebrate minor holidays and the liturgical calendar - Definitely In Progress! I bought some low cost things like kitchen towels and a couple of little mantle decorations for each minor holiday and I've enjoyed putting them up and taking them down. I have a dedicated storage spot for them which is easily accessible so it has been pretty easy so far.
Meal plan consistently and waste less food - Haven't done much with this one but will get back into it.
Throw a dinner party. Hire a makeup artist and photographer - I talked with a friend about this but haven't gotten very far with it. Not sure this will happen. Might add it to next year's list.
Read at least two books by C.S. Lewis - I've read Mere Christianity and think this will easily get done this year.
Add an item - I launched my company! 😍
Delete or revise an item - I deleted #16 (working with a personal stylist) - so this is done! 😍
So, all in all, I'm pretty pleased with where I am. I hold this intention very loosely and know that simply but putting these things out into the ether I increase the chances of them occurring if they are supposed to.
Do you have things you're reviewing on Halfway Day?