Goal Ideas Based On Different Categories of Life (Self-Growth and Intentions)

Firstly, let me say that I put goals because everyone knows what goals are but I tend to veer from this idea lately. Goals feel like to-dos that you tick off or beat yourself up for not ticking off. Instead, I prefer the words intentions or ideas or vibes or themes or focuses. Something to think about, really, as goal-setting is all well and good and it totally depends on your personally how you do this but also consider how those words or the phrasing of your goals make you feel.

Secondly, 2020 has taught us that goals can be laughable! They can be completely thrown to the wind when it’s something that’s dependent on the state of the world or the actions of others! So, bear that in mind, too.

Here we go then, some categories and 10 goals (intentions) that you considers for 2021 for each one. (Some will go hand-in-hand, of course. Like mental health and physical health, because health is all interconnected.)

Mental Health



Journal your thoughts and feelingsSlow down instead of rushing through everythingFocus on and pay attention to your breathOrganise yourself better (for peace of mind!)Delete social media regularly for mind breaksSpeak to your loved ones about your day, your feelings, your thoughtsLearn more about emotions and psychologyFind and maintain a self-care (calming/healing) toolkit for you to trust and use regularly Re-evaluate your support system and cut out those who are adding to your stress without relieving itLearn about and track your sleep routine and hygiene to improve your rest



Physical Health



Walk moreDrink more waterPurposely raise your heart rate and get your sweat on routinelyStretch your body hourlyListen to your body when it speaks and get it checked out (pains, aches, bowel movements, reactions)Work to love your body (look at yourself naked, dress it well, be kind to it)Eat less meat (make it a challenge)Take up a sport or class (join a team or community)Have fun moving your body with less obvious forms of exercise (dance, swimming, climbing, yoga, etc.)Learn about and implement skin care, hair care, and teeth care routines



Financial Peace



Create a saving account for a trip awaySavings account for emergencies (and don’t touch it!)Savings account for a big investment (house, car, whatever)Learn more about how to invest your moneyStart budgeting better (tracking your money, setting tighter budgets to make your money go further)Change banks or savings accounts to get more interest and savings on your moneyGet a credit card/ improve your credit score (wisely!)Ask for a raise/ upskill so you can ask for a raiseNo-Buy challenge (where you challenge yourself to not buying clothes, or books, or takeout, or something for a period of time)Talk openly about money with love ones and friends (you can help one another do better!)



Relationships



Make a point of calling family members and friends more often Call, text, video call people on your commute or when walking the dogWrite letters to people you loveHave hard or deep conversations to bridge connection(Once we can) meet up for dinners with loved ones every other weekSpend more time with your household (without phones, TV or distractions)Spend less time complaining (complaining and discussing your feelings or problems are two different things)Spend more time with friends (if it’s always family, or vice versa)Let people in on your dreams, goals, and passions so you can share the experiencesWork on active listening skills and take an interest in the lives of others



Life Skills



Learn how to sew, knit, or generally care for and upcycle your clothingLearn a new language (without the goal of being fluent! Just have fun learning new phrases through YouTube or an app)Learn how to be a better conversationalistRead more books or in new genres than you usually wouldRead or watch channels that teach you new things about science, history, or the world (Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is a great start)Get away (as far as you can) when we can travel againChallenge yourself with new games or puzzles or to learn new wordsLearn about sustainability, the environment, and conscious consumptionLearn more about sex and pleasureLearn how to cut and style your own hair (saves you money on always getting it done!)



Creativity



Write more (online, in a journal, to friends, poetry, stories, whatever)Colour and drawRedecorate your space (home or office)Upcycle your stuffCheck out Pinterest boards for inspo on your space, hair, and clothing for a new style changeLearn how to play an instrumentCreate a collage, scrapbook or Pinterest boards for inspo and create ways to do vision boards or collect moments of your lifeRead books (or watch videos and shows) about the area of creativity that you want to improve onPlant flowers or vegetables and learn how to grow themGet curious, experimental and free with anything you create



Entertainment



Read outside your comfort zoneWatch the classics and critically acclaimed filmsWatch films and TV shows with more representation of non-white people, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ communityTry audiobooksWatch TV and YouTube more consciously; with more intention and purposeAsk for recommendations from others(Once we can) see new releases in the cinemaDecide to be less invested in celebrities and their lifestylesAnalyse stories and how they workTailor your content and entertainment consumption to inspire you (watch new films and TV, follow better accounts on Insta and YouTube etc.)

Happy New Year! Good luck!

Sincerely,

S. xx