I regularly share my favorite things with you all. So as I was trying to put together a list of my most favorite things of the year I was kind of surprised to find that, if I’m being truly honest, my most favorite things of 2021 aren’t actually things at all. Or at least, they aren’t really things that can be purchased. And actually, three out of these five things are basically free of cost.
In no particular order, these are my 5 most favorite things of 2021.
1. Grocery Delivery
Not to be overly dramatic, but grocery delivery has changed my life. Seriously. It’s something I started doing regularly in 2020 due to the pandemic, but in 2021, even as the world started opening up again, I continued to have my groceries delivered. I’ve always, since childhood, disliked, dare I say, even hated, grocery shopping.
But having them delivered in 2020 felt like a prudent decision. Whereas I struggled with feeling guilty over continuing to pay for grocery delivery in 2021. But I realized that it’s okay to outsource even if it’s not necessary. I shouldn’t feel guilty for paying for a service that gives me freedom and helps me to make room in my schedule for other things.
And actually, because grocery shopping is no longer a dreaded, time-consuming weekly chore of mine, I’ve actually had more time to meal plan and have even enjoyed preparing meals for my family more than I did before.
So from a cost/benefit viewpoint, I’m spending more to have groceries delivered, but I’m spending less on take-out meals.
This may seem really silly. But in all honesty, this has really been a revelation to me this year. The idea that just because I can do something myself doesn’t mean I need to do it myself…..letting go of feeling guilty for spending money on a service that feels like an unnecessary expense or “luxury”…..understanding that time is just as valuable as money, maybe even more so……who knew these would all be lessons I would learn from having my groceries delivered? 😉
2. Daily Journaling
I’ve journaled on and off for years, but in 2021, I decided to make this practice a daily thing. And oh. my. goodness. I’m kicking myself for not committing to this daily practice sooner! Daily journaling has been game-changing for me. There is truly a special kind of magic that happens when you put pen to paper. Laying it all out on the page. It’s cathartic. This year has been a lot. And writing it down has helped me so much. It’s given my thoughts a safe space to land. Getting them out of my head, releasing the words onto the paper has helped me to reflect, to process, and to heal.
If the idea of journaling is new to you, or if you feel like you’d like to try it but just aren’t sure where or how to start, here’s how I journal. Maybe this will jump-start your own journaling ritual.
Making and writing down three daily promises I’m making to myself helps me to focus on and prioritize what’s most important. And it really forces me to be honest about what I care about most. I mean, sometimes it’s as simple as writing down – I will walk for 30 minutes or I’m going to do one load of laundry, and other times it’s about making a phone call I’ve been dreading or tackling something I’ve been putting off for far too long. But once I write these things in the promise section that immediately moves these items to the very top of my priority list.
Making three promises to myself every day as opposed to making a to-do list…..there’s something about a promise that feels more significant yet just making three of them feels very doable.
And at the start of the next day, I look back on the previous day’s promises to check in with myself.
3. Making My Bed Every Day
It’s the simplest thing, but it makes such a huge impact on my mindset. It helps me to start the day on a positive, productive note. It’s such a small thing and it takes no time at all, but accomplishing this little task every morning makes me feel ready to tackle the day. Coming on the heels of 2020 when I often would leave the bed unmade for weeks, making this one of my resolutions felt daunting. But after committing to doing it for about the first 20 or so days in January, this small task became a habit, a mindless part of my morning routine, like brushing my teeth. And as I sit here typing, just now taking the time to reflect…… I really do feel like this one simple thing has likely had an even bigger impact on me than I’ve realized.
And speaking of daily promises, for the first month of the year, I literally wrote down “make the bed” as one of my promises. 😉
4. My Pump It Up Playlist
2021 proved to be a much tougher year for me than 2020. The year started with so much hope, and a lot of really wonderful things did happen this year. But emotionally, this year has been much harder for me in many ways. And I found myself reaching up to keep myself from drowning. Music has always been a balm for me. And I’ve always had a running list of songs that I’ve turned to when I’ve needed a boost. But this year I finally created a Spotify playlist. My Pump It Up playlist is aptly titled, filled with songs that pump me up, put a smile on my face, and comfort my soul.
I highly recommend creating your own Pump It Up playlist if you don’t already have one. Fill it with songs that bring back happy memories, songs that make you want to sing and/or dance, lyrics that inspire you, and pump you up!
5. Pilates
Many of you already know that in the early months of 2021 I herniated a disc in my lower back and found myself bedridden for a solid week. It was the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced in my life. I had two steroid epidurals and went to physical therapy, but nothing has restored my strength more than pilates. I started taking reformer classes at a local, private studio with a classically trained Pilates instructor, and after just a few classes I could feel my strength returning and body moving much more easily. I’ve been truly amazed at how much pilates has helped me. I’ve felt more in tune with my body this year than ever before. And I really feel like the mind-body connection in pilates has really been great for me both physically and emotionally.
So those are my top 5 most favorite things of 2021!
What did you fall in love with this year? What new habits, rituals, or services have had a positive impact on your life this year?
Totally agree with having groceries delivered. I have hated grocery shopping for deCades. Its so stupid.
Take a buggy, fill up buGgy, take everything out of buggy, taake bags and put in buggy, take bags out of buggy and put in car, take bags out of car, caRry bags to kitchen and put everything on shelfs , Absolutely crazy. I had 3 daughters at home, a husband, a dog and a cat. Lots of shoppIng!
Totally agree with a playlist of favourite music. Always loved music but i found that in 2021 i played them much more often then i ever have. Seems i Need to for my mental/emotional well being and i need to play them loud. I feel like a teenager again.
One TIP about the bed. Straighten your bed but fold Your top shEet anD comforter so they sit on the bottom quarter of the bed. This allows Your mattress to air out. I do it every 4/5 days.
Happy new year. May 2022 bring back some normalcy to our lives. And please, everyone get your vaccines. Lets all pull together and get this done.