As I write this post, on the first day of January, I am trying to put the challenges of 2020 out of my mind, and instead, think about the year ahead. At the moment, I’m finding that quite difficult, sitting here with it’s legacy, a badly broken left arm.
One week before Christmas, I tripped in the garden and fell heavily on the pavers. The result was a visit to the Emergency Department, followed by surgery two days before Xmas Eve. Since then I’ve been heavily medicated, on pain meds, and doing very little.
I have had plenty of time to think about the year ahead, and what I hope will make it a great year. Each year at this time, as many bloggers do, I choose a Word of The Year (WOTY) for the coming year. While pondering my WOTY, over the past few weeks, all thoughts go to my hopes and dreams for 2021. For the coming year, the word ‘Health’ usually occurs to me, without a huge amount of thought, More than anything I would like 2021 to be about improving my health. It therefore seems appropriate that my WOTY for 2021 be HEALTH. I would even go further and say my theme for next year is #2021YearOfHealth.
2021 Year Of Health
Image: Pixabay
At this time of year, I usually set goals for the year ahead, but this year will be different. Instead of concentrating on goals, I plan to create my own health strategy for the year and focus on this, in monthly increments, as I set the plans in motion that are needed for improvement.
I intend to give full focus to my health, during the year ahead. I’ve had a few minor health issues during the past year, and along with the injuries that I’ve had along the way, I feel my health needs a kick-start. It definitely needs more focus, and I need to approach each day with more mindfulness than I’ve been doing recently.
I’m very aware that I have given more thought and focus to Covid-19, during the past year, than to my own health. I have dropped the ball slightly, and slipped into a few bad habits. I’m very keen now to reinstate my old good habits.
I have no plans to crash diet, or to do anything radical, to make the changes I’d like to make. My #2021YearOfHealth will be more about making small lasting changes for life. These changes will be sensible and fit in with recognised health guidelines. Changes will be in all areas of health where needed. I will be focusing on exercise, nutrition, mindset, wellness, lifestyle and anything else I decide needs improvement for optimum health.
January is my birthday month and with another birthday looming, I am becoming more aware of my own mortality. I would like to reach the next few birthdays knowing that I have done everything possible to keep myself healthy.
Lately, retirement has been on my mind, but though I have made no decision yet, I can feel myself getting closer to giving up work. Up until this past year, I thought of retirement as being far into the future. However, it was always in my mind, as I worked towards getting myself fit enough to be able to spend my retirement years on fitness activities. I lost sight of this a little during 2020. I’m passionate about being an active retiree, so am concerned to get my retirement goals back on track.
My hope, is that by the end of the year I will have lost those extra Covid kilos, that found me in 2020. I will be feeling proud of myself for getting my life back on track, and for learning more about staying healthy as we age.
I will be posting an update of my #2021YearOfHealth each month. I won’t be changing everything on day one. Even though I have become what I would call a little slack, I still live a relatively healthy lifestyle with basic healthy habits.
I’m hoping you will join me and support me in my #2021YearOfHealth. In my next post, I will be discussing my plans and thoughts for January.
When it comes right down to it, all I want from 2021 is good health, happiness and a little joy in every day. It would give me great joy to see my grandchildren and my son Steven and daughter, Lisa. It’s been over a year now, since I’ve seen any of them, and that is far too long.
Image:Pic Collage
How are you feeling about 2021? Have you chosen a word of the year or theme for 2021. I’d love to hear your thoughts and promise to reply to all comments.
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That sounds like the perfect word for 2021- health! I do hope your arm is healing? As always I’m sure I will find your posts inspirational and give me a kick up the pants to get more active too.
Hi Sue the arm is healing but I have a feeling it will be a long slow process. I hope you’re able to find something useful the posts to come. Happy New Year. Sending you positive vibes for 2021
I think we have all struggled in a few areas this year, but focussing and planning while you have time to is ideal. I retired at start of 2018 and now find myself working even more (and really thankful as my husband’s job was made redundant April 2019). We don’t know what 2021 will bring, but being positive and focusing on strength and fitness is a great way to start! Cheers!
Hi Pam, retirement certainly is tricky. I’ve done it twice so want to get it right next time. Sorry to hear your husband was made redundadant. Let’s hope 2021 is a great year for us all. Thanks for popping in again
Hi Jen – it’s certainly been a rough couple of years for you injury wise and this broken arm really caps things off. Perhaps it’s time to take a step back and reassess what being truly “healthy” means as we age? I think we try to deny the aging process and the affect it has on our bodies (when a trip means a break or a box lift means a calf tear). I think it comes down to balance and steady forward progress and I hope you find that each month as you recover and don’t try to push too far too quickly (despite the frustration that slowing down brings with it). I’ll also be interested to see how your retirement thinking progresses! In the meantime, Sue and I are hosting a #WOTY link party tomorrow if you want to add your post – and I’m also sharing my #WOTY and offering guest post opportunities if that interests you. xx
Hi Leanne I’m probably going to be looking at being more slow and steady from now on. We’ll see what the year bring. I will pop in for your link up tomorrow for sure. I’d be interested in a guest post, but would need to be after plaster comes off. Writing posts with just one hand is very tedious, so I’ll be doing less than usual for a few weeks
Count me in to cheer you on. I’m resetting things a tad too – had slipped into some bad habits – how easily does that happen and how hard is it to unwind it? Sending healing vibes for that arm of yours…
Thanks for your support Jo. I think the only way to get back on track is to get back to basics which is what I’m hoping to do.
Happy New Year, Jennifer! Health is an excellent WOTY. To me it’s the foundation and prerequisite for a good and happy life. I wish you speedy recovery for your arm and a great 2021. Feel free to join my weekly Weekend Coffee Share whenever you can. #lifethisweek
Thanks Natalie. Let’s hope it’s a healthy and happy year for us
Hi Jen, this is such a great word and one that many may not focus on because they feel their WOTY has to be something ‘different’ or ‘exciting’. If we don’t have our health we don’t have much else so I’m really looking forward to your focus on health this year and reading what you do. I was sorry to hear of your fall and hope your arm is mended soon. Take care and sending love, hugs and New Year wishes to you. xx
Thanks for your comments Sue. I just feel that I need to get back to basics next year, without trying to get too creative. Hope you have a healthy and happy 2021
Hi Jen, as an advocate for a healthy lifestyle I can certainly relate to your WOTY. I went through my own health challenges last year and am still trying to build my strength up. I wish you luck on your journey. It can be difficult to live a healthy lifestyle with injuries and the restrictions imposed by Covid-19. Take Care, Christina
I agree with your comments Christina. Best wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2021
I’m not really choosing a word but think I’d like to focus on my health this year as well. I mean I did last year, but not in a proactive way. I hope the arm is healing and not being too troublesome. It’s a terrible time of year to be incapacitated, even just a little.
But… here’s to 2021!
Thanks for popping in. The arm is slowly mending. Best wishes for a fabulous healthy 2021
Hi Jen, Happy new year to you and I love the idea of a year of health. I do hope your arm is improving and doesn’t hold you back too much. I always think of you as an active woman and I’m sure this year will be good for you 🙂
Thanks Deb. Let’s all hope 2021 is a big improvement on 2020
It’s like your arm is giving you messages to prioritise health in a way but also, these things do happen. Accidents. Nothing bad about your health, it just is.
Taking care of ourselves first sure is hard when we are used to making sure others are right before we are.
I hope your arm recovery goes well and that post-plaster physio gets your arm back doing what it needs to.
Welcome back to Life This Week in 2021 on my blog each Monday. Thank you for linking up this week. Next week the optional prompt is 2/51 Announcement on Mon11 Jan. Hope to see you back here then too. Take care, Denyse.
Thanks for your concern Denyse. I suspect I will be slowing down a little this year, but not completely. See you at #lifethisweek on Monday
Hi Jen, Sorry to hear about your arm, and I hope you get to see family soon, I agree a year is way to long. Enjoyed your thoughts on coming year, and was interested to hear that it is not only myself that thinks of ones own mortality as we age! I too, have a hope of being an active and fit retiree ., but like many bad habits have crept in, so more focus is needed. I always enjoy reading your posts. Best wishes for 2021.
It’s really great to hear from you Carmel. I’m sure many of have struggled since 2020 with our goals. I think we just keep plugging away. Happy New Year and here’s to a better 2021