At the beginning of the year I shared my “20 for 2020” goals and since we’re already over halfway (what!?) through 2020 it felt like a good time to check in with how the list is going. I do these lists every year in lieu of resolutions and it makes for a fun way to set some goals and see progress happen over the year.
When I first wrote this list I obviously did not know that we were headed for a global pandemic with months of social distancing – I probably would have chosen to put a few more house projects and a few less “let’s hang out with people” goals ha! Even though some goals aren’t possible to do right now, it is still fun to look at all I have been able to do this year, and it gives me some other things to continue to look forward to someday!
20 for 2020 Goals
1 – Plan a dreamy office/reading room. I’ve made definite progress on this goal! We have a room in our house that is currently a hot mess of random storage but I dream of it being a gem. I’ve started mapping out the plan for the room and working on a projected budget and timeline and it’s making me really excited for this project! I had so much fun participating in the One Room Challenge with my basement kitchen renovation that I’m thinking about doing this room during the ORC’s fall challenge in October. Stay tuned!
2- Select pictures for family photo albums. I was really hoping to have at least started in on this, but alas, I have not.
3 – Create family photo albums Since the photos aren’t selected, I have obviously not created the albums.
4 – Update the Simplify the Chaos website Done! I updated all the homepage’s menu tabs and I feel like it a much better navigational resource now. Now I just need to keep them updated as I add more and more content to the blog…
5 – Replace basement carpet. We made some strides towards this – we looked at carpet samples and had someone out here to measure the basement and give us a quote. However, COVID-19 hit and it just wasn’t the right time to have people over to our house to get work done. Then our A/C system died in June and we ended up having to replace the entire furnace. Pandemic + huge house expense + no one is hanging out in our basement anyways right now = this project is officially relegated to the back burner for the foreseeable future.
That being said I do have BIG NEWS on the basement front! You might remember that one of my “19 for 2019” goals was to get rid of the big ugly brown recliner from Justin’s college days and it didn’t happen last year. I’m happy to report that Justin finally gave me the green light to sell it and it went to its new home last week! Whoo hoo!
6 – Update book recommendations list. Done! You can check out the updated post of my top book recommendations here.
7 – Get a dip manicure. Haven’t done this yet, and I’m honestly not sure when I’ll feel comfortable enough to go to the nail salon. My birthday is in September, so depending on what COVID-19 is doing at that point, that might be a good time to check this one off the list!
8 – Invest in footwear with a purpose. I haven’t updated any part of my wardrobe this year because I’m not going anywhere ha! This goal is still really important to me and I’m on the hunt for a great pair of ethical shoes.
9 – Try at least 5 brand new (to me) foods. I was hoping to try a bunch of new foods on our trip to New Orleans, but that got cancelled due to coronavirus. We haven’t really been branching out with food since we’re just staying at home but I did try some of my dad’s homemade spicy Thai noodles for the first time and they were delicious!
10 – Set up a 529 for Vi. Done!
11 – Read 60 books. I have 37 books read so far this year and I definitely think I’ll meet this goal!
12 – Take a continuing education class. Not done, but I’ve started this process. I have looked into a few different options, and I’m working on narrowing down and choosing a class. One silver lining of the pandemic is there are a LOT of online options being offered right now which is just what I need. I hope to take a class during the fall semester.
13 – Host a big summer party. Well if ever there was a goal that didn’t anticipate a global pandemic, it’s this one. While we won’t get the big summer bash we hoped for, we have started to host small outdoor gatherings with a few friends. We stay outside and use the patio and pond – I’m very thankful that we’re able to have little get-togethers while keeping safe practices in place. This weekend my family is coming out to our house for a day of grilling, swimming, yard games, etc. and I’m really looking forward to that so it will count as our “big” summer party this year 😉
14 – Update Vi’s room. Done! I did a very simple scalloped accent wall and added a little gallery wall of artwork and now it feels fresh and fun and just right for our baby girl.
15 – Plan a family staycation. Ugh. This very week is the week that Justin took time off work (months ago) so that we could have a little summer staycation . . . but, pandemic. We are still going to enjoy lots of family time outdoors and we’re going to try to find at least one new-to-us park or nature walk in the area for our little family to explore outside. We will make the most of it!
16 – Take LJ to swimming lessons. I was planning to sign him up in the spring, but once again, COVID-19 had other plans. LJ has really taken to using his life jacket vest (similar to this one) and does a great job with it; however, I still want to enroll him in swimming lessons as soon as it feels safe to do.
17 – Create something. This was a really vague goal of mine at the beginning of the year, but I do feel like I have been able to stretch some creative muscles, particularly with home projects. Things like our using date night to build DIY shelves, making over an old dresser, tricking out the Secret Nook, and renovating the basement kitchen (especially painting the tile floors and counter top!) have been a fun way for me to channel creativity while staying home. And I’m definitely not done creating!
18 – Have professional family photos taken. We had a professional photographer scheduled to come out to our house in April…you see where this is going. #pandemic
19 – Actually use my InstantPot. I still haven’t touched this thing. I’m not sure what that says about how successful this goal will be – if I don’t use it in the middle of a pandemic where all of our meals are at home, will I ever use it? Time will tell. (If you have any great Instant Pot recipes, please send them my way!)
20 – Host at least 4 game nights. We did have one game night with my parents when they came to stay overnight with us. That isn’t exactly the type of game night I was envisioning but since this year is so crazy I will count it!
It feels insufficient to describe 2020 as a roller coaster – this year has truly been unlike any other year I have ever experienced. It is definitely not one I will ever forget, and it will be interesting to see what the second half of the year brings.
simplify the chaos 