So Christmas is over, and we’re into the second week of January. I decided unexpecedly to take three weeks off from blogging. Mainly, because I knew it would be a busy two weeks at work, and felt like I needed a break from doing anything extra. I have worked, long days through the Christmas and New Year period. But since my break from blogging, I’m feeling very energised and excited about the year ahead. There is some good news coming. Sorry, that’s just a teaser, but watch this space.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve spent much time, thinking about 2018 and what may be ahead in 2019. I feel that the year past, has been mainly a period of marking time for me, which I needed after a hectic few years. I had goals for 2018, many of which I reached, but there were others that I didn’t come anywhere near reaching. I’m not making myself wrong for that, as I can make amends by adding those goals to my list for the coming year.
Highlights of 2018 were our short breaks at Port Fairy and Sorrento in June. We did plan to do more of these extended trips away, during the year, but life seemed to get in the way, making it difficult to take a few days off. I had a fantastic girls weekend with 20 special friends at Coolangatta .
The only event I entered in 2018 was the The Bloody Long Walk in August. I had previously decided that I would no longer participate in events, but this walk is a very well organised and fun event, which I walk with my friend Tina, so I decided to make an exception.
As it turned out, The Bloody Long Walk was a bit of a disaster, as I had to retire at 20k due to injury. I knew at the starting line that the injury was going to make it difficult for me to finish, so wasn’t surprised when it became impossible to continue. In future, instead of participating in events, I’m going to rely on setting challenges for myself to reach.
I did manage to tick off a couple of big goals during the year. I started riding my road bike again, after a few years off it, due to injuries and fear. I had been very nervous about getting back on the road bike, so was ecstatic to get it done.
The other big goal was to get back in the pool, after an absence of 20 years, which I did later in the year. I found I still loved swimming and kept it up three times each week for the last two months of the year. I’m looking forward to getting back in the water next week, and building on the base I set down in 2018.
Looking forward to 2019
As I look forward to the coming year, I’ve given much thought to what may be ahead. The following are a few fitness goals that I intend to tick off by the end of the year
- Maxines Challenge – I will be kick starting the year with Maxine’s Challenge, which I’ve participated in and completed previously. The challenge is for 12 weeks. Previously, I’ve done a few challenges randomly when I felt like it. But in 2019, I intend to complete multiple challenges for the entire year. I would really like to tick off a few strength goals this year, and I see this challenge as I way to stay focused.
- Walking – Injury caused me to have an enforced break from walking long distances in the last few months of 2018. The injury seems to be ok now, so I intend to try to pick up where I left off and regularly walk long distances again. I will be reinstating the ‘night walk’ that I loved doing during the last year. That was a walk of about three hours around Bendigo, starting early evening. By the end of the year I will have completed a 35k walk, which will make up for having to pull out of the last 35k walk. .
- Cycling – I intend to continue riding my trail bike on the rail trail and continue with what I started on the road bike in 2018. My riding goal is 100k on the road bike by the end of 2019.
- Swimming – I will continue with swimming sessions, three times per week and continue following the Speedo training program. By the end of the year, I plan to be swimming 20 x 50m laps.
Blogging
A blogging highlight of 2018 was becoming part of the Mid Life Share The Love Community, created by Sue from sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond and Leanne from Cresting the hill. I very much look forward to continuing with this in 2019. I do intend to participate with this group more than I did in 2018. I found that some weeks I tended to become overwhelmed with my own blogging, which led to me networking less and occasionally reading less blogs than I would have liked. After giving it much thought, I realise that more organisation and less procrastination with my own blogging, will allow me to spend more time reading other blogs. I’ve been reading some amazing blogs this year. Many of them have been on topics that I hadn’t realised people were blogging about.
Retirement
I really do enjoy my job, which I’ve been doing for about 18 months. This was a job that I began after I sold my business, so I consider it to be my retirement job, even though I didn’t really retire. This job is perfect for a person who is retired, or transitioning to retirement, as the hours are random. That randomness is part of what I love. Some weeks I may work just a few hours and other weeks could be almost full time hours. This gives me the opportunity to test out retirement from time to time. In the last few months of 2018, I was seriously thinking of retiring in 2019. I do think that I was probably a bit run down and tired after a long year. I’ve now decided that I have no intention of retiring, so will be continuing with this job and don’t intend to think about retiring for at least a couple more years.
My Theme for 2019
All of the above are possible to achieve but will take organisation, planning and commitment, with the most important being commitment. Without total commitment, the organisation, planning, and execution won’t get done. With that in mind, I’ve decided that my theme for 2019 will be Commitment. Commitment will show up in all areas of my life – family, friends, fitness, health, blogging, reading, and gardening. Every area of my life in 2019 is going to be operated with Commitment in mind. This is my promise to myself.
As I mentioned earlier, I have some exciting news coming in regard to blogging. This will be later in the month, so please watch this space. You may wish to follow and get email updates, to ensure that you don’t miss out on the news.
You have great goals for 2019, Jennifer, and your commitment will make them happen. I look forward to reading your updates as the year progresses. Have a wonderful 2019! #MLSTL
Thank you Natalie. Great to have your support. Hope 2019 is kind to you
I really enjoyed your wrap up of 2018, Jen and am excited for you with all you have planned for 2019. Commitment was one of my words that I chose for 2019 to focus on, so great minds think alike and I believe we are on the right track. I look forward to reading your thoughts and experiences throughout the year. Thank you for the mention about our Midlife Share the Love Party and you are a valued member, whether you link up each week or just when you can. Blogging can really take over can’t it, especially if you want to connect with others. Just know that we all need to take breaks occasionally and it gives us time to regenerate and refocus. Wishing you a fabulous 2019 and thanks for linking up to our first #MLSTL in 2019. xx
Thanks for your comments Sue. Yoyre right Sue that blogging can be s not overwhelming at times. But isn’t it great! I couldn’t imagine life without my blogs or without reading many of the wonderful blogs that are out there
Happy New Year to you! I hear you re completing your own challenges as opposed to events and look forward to reading about your challenges over the next 12 months.
Happy New Year to you too Jo. Looking forward to a great year
Hi Jennifer – thanks so much for the #MLSTL shout out – I’m so glad you’re enjoying being a part of our group. It’s such a wonderful bunch of Midlifers and it’s a pleasure to open the link each week and see what comes through. I’m looking forward to finding out what your new blogging direction is going to be for the year and to see what you plan on filling your posts with – you lead such a varied life!
MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Thanks Leanne. I’m quite excited about my news but not quite ready to reveal all yet. Stay tuned
Good luck with your 2019 goals, Jennifer. I look forward to “seeing” you at #MLSTL and to hearing your big news.
Thanks Christie, do stay tuned. Best wishes for a fabulous year ahead
You have some good goals for 2019. I think easing into to retirement is good for some. I went in full force and love it but not everyone can do that.
Hi Victoria. I agree with you. In regards to retirement and most things in life, we have to choose the course of action that is right for us. Thanks for visiting.
I also really enjoy the #MLSTL community! It sounds like you have some great goals set for 2019. Your theme of Commitment will hopefully empower you to achieve them. I choose Journey for my word this year. For me, the year is about living fully each day as it comes, to be more spontaneous, and to allow myself to just be sometimes.
I love your word Pat. Journey makes me think of all the adventures just waiting for you in 2019. Look forward to reading about them.
Hi Jennifer, I really enjoyed this summary of your year of blogging and look forward to seeing what comes next for you. You articulated it all so well! It seems that commitment is a great word or theme for the year ahead and I wish you well.
Thankyou Deb. Pleased you enjoyed reading it. Feeling quite excited about the year ahead. Also look forward to following your adventures in 2019
What a life-affirming post this is! I found it really helpful to understand what kind of processes you use as you navigate this part of your life.
I know I too needed a blogging break and took 2 weeks off but it was just right and I was more energised upon return.
I need to increase my walking…I do wear a fit bit and I am getting around 6-7 K steps a day but want to do more. It has been incredibly humid lately so not the best conditions outdoors. I will also get back to the beach more for walking.
Denyse #MLSTL
Thanks for your comments Denyse. Interested to hear that you also felt like you needed a blogging break. As much as we love our blogs, it is time consuming and quite exhausting st time. Good to hear your rating to go again. Also good to hear that you’re trying to push yourself re steps and walking. Walking on the beach is s fantastic thing to do.
Your goals sound amazing. The Bloody Long Walk sounds intriguing. I’m in the U.S. but maybe I’ll need to look it up — I love walking. Thanks for your inspiring post! #MLSTL
Thanks Janet, I’m sure there are many similar walks in the US. Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year
Hi Jennifer, I commend you for being so highly motivated and committed to taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. It seems like you are really in tune with what your needs are. I look forward to following your blog in 2019. Happy New Year!
Thankyou for your support Christina. Happy New Year to you
Your fitness life always inspires me! My long-range goal is to participate in a “long” walk myself. My short-range goal is to succeed at closing all the rings on my Apple Watch five times a week. Baby steps is my 2019 motto.
Your goals are great Molly. Happy New Year. And good luck achieving those goals in 2019