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Remember the times when we could do the fun things that made us happy? The times before the pandemic when we could spend time and connect with our friends and family, travel and explore new places, or even have "me" time at our favorite spots?
No matter what makes you happy, it was probably affected by the challenges of 2020. Now that 2021 is here and many are developing their New Year’s resolutions, it's a great time to stop and review what our happiness goals are as well.
What are happiness goals?
Life success is not complete without doing things that make you happy. For most people, when they envision their future goals, personal happiness is an end result they strive for. With the start of 2021, the time is right to determine what your happiness goals are and how they can fit into the new way of living during and after the pandemic.
Ways to determine your happiness goals
Goal-setting for moms can be divided into several categories. We tend to focus on our children and families, but don't forget personal goals that are just for you or that will put you ahead when you review your goals at the end of the year.
1. Start with your passions
To determine your goals, start with what you are passionate about and prioritize each item. Your passions should lead you to the ideas and activities that make you most happy.
2. Be realistic
Make sure to include some realistic timelines and keep the restrictions of social distancing in mind. There may be activities that you simply cannot or may not be ready to do given the uncertainty of the year. But don't let this stop you from focusing on these goals. They may just have to be accomplished differently.
3. Stretch yourself
Lastly, stretching yourself means that you are growing and getting closer to your goals and dreams. When you include a goal that will force you to stretch out of your comfort zone and achieve that goal, you will undoubtedly increase your happiness. How great will you feel?!
How to adjust your happiness goals for 2021
Given the restrictions we're still experiencing in 2021, some of your goals may have to be accomplished differently. But you can still look forward to the feeling that comes with checking off a hard-won goal. Here are a few ideas to help spark some new ways to reach your goals this year.
If you were dreaming of expanding your circle of friends or growing closer to loved ones and cannot see them physically, you may have to get creative with how you spend time together. Videoconference game nights and double dates can help you get that quality time while staying safe and healthy.
For those moms who want to learn a new skill or freshen up on some classes, now is definitely the time! With so many organizations and companies offering online classes, training, and conferences, you can literally attend almost any event you have an interest in.
Pursuing your passion when you have a home to care for and children to raise can sometimes hit the back burner. With the loss of work commutes (for those who are working from home), you might find that you have some extra time in the day, and this time can be focused on your passions. If you are keeping your children home for safety reasons, perhaps they can join in on your passion and enjoy it with you. There is no written rule that your happiness goals can't involve the entire family.
If gaining financial freedom would help to increase your happiness and reduce stress and anxiety, this time of scaling back and prioritizing your expenses makes that easier because we can't go out and do as many things as we used to do. We’ve spent a year entertaining ourselves at home, making meals instead of eating out, and generally living with less. This may be a good lifestyle to continue if you want to save a little more and be conscious of your spending.
Whatever your happiness goals are for the year, there are ways you can get creative in how you achieve them and still get to that end-of-year excitement. You might just have to think outside the box!
