By Chris Laub
Sticking with goals is all about accountability—it’s too easy to let the year pass you by without maintaining the commitment that you had on January 1. So, we’re here to be a source of encouragement to help you make good on all of it. We’re almost through with February and it’s time to check in on the progress you’ve made on your 2022 endeavors. If you’re doing great, keep the momentum going! If you’ve lost a bit of steam, let’s re-evaluate and shift priorities to reinvigorate your vision for the year.
Kicking Off 2022
First, let’s take a moment to reflect on the start of the year. How have the last two months gone for you? Has it felt stressful and overwhelming or low-key and doable? What kept you on your game plan, what threw you off of it, and why? Reflect honestly on your overall takeaways from the year so far—this will help you identify areas that may need a little extra love in your life.
The Great Juggling Act of Work and Life
If spending more time with family was on your to-do list for 2022, what’s the reality of that looking like for you now? You may find yourself continuing on with old patterns, such as late nights at the office, overcommitting yourself, or saying “yes” when you really want to scream “no.” If your home has now become your office, that’s an additional hurdle to overcome as you work to define boundaries and turn off your work brain come five o’clock.
Here’s something that could shake up these habits: a break! Sounds obvious enough, but don’t underestimate the simplicity of this solution. Unplugging periodically is a healthy act of self-care that can also make you more creative and driven at work if you’re experiencing burnout. This could be as elaborate as a week-long vacation or even just a lunchtime (or other time) walk during your workday. Although it’s still winter—puddles are very much a thing out there—Vionic has waterproof styles that will keep your feet feeling great the next time you decide to step away from it all. (Say hello to the outdoorsy chic of our hiker-inspired Spencer Boot or our sporty active-through-street-smart Guinn Sneaker.) Whatever your motivation is in pressing pause, don’t let the elements stop you from taking that much needed mind-clearing stroll!
New Habits Lead to New Results
It can be easy to stay steadfast with routines you are used to, even if they aren’t best serving you. Ask yourself: what changes do you need to make to feel happy? What do you need in your life to feel fulfilled, connected and content?
This may involve taking some time for rest and relaxation, whether it be having a family movie night, going for a hike or scheduling a nap into your day to reclaim your edge. Or, it may involve branching out and trying something new, like pottery, golf, tennis, pickleball or even a new recipe or cocktail. Often, an activity like volunteering which takes the focus off of you and puts it onto others, or a cause that’s completely outside of yourself, is a great way to gain perspective on that which you feel is eluding you.
Give Your Loved Ones Some Love
To reconnect with your partner, put a date night on the calendar! Or, try going out with another couple for a social evening. A romantic vacation may be needed for you and your partner to get away and have some quiet time for great conversations, delicious meals and the rest you need. Add some spice to your life to expand, grow and thrive!
More Marathon, Less Race
In all the scenarios you’ve been asked to consider here, some points of action are more esoteric than others—there’s no one solution that fits all or everyone. When monitoring your progress with any goal and evaluating it against how your 2022 is going, it’s helpful to remember that every day presents a fresh opportunity to start the year anew. Good luck with everything, we’ll be back in touch again soon!
About the Author:
Chris Laub is a member of Vionic’s Brand Marketing team. In addition to Vionic, he loves to stay active, play sports, travel, and enjoy delicious food. He enjoys entertainment including movies, tv shows, and music.