Setting goals for 2020: a shiny new decade

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In  my recent review of 2019, I mentioned setting goals for 2020. I didn’t make any last year as I was off work and feeling sorry for myself with neck problems. This year, especially as it is the start of a new decade, it feels like a good time for some resolutions.

Here are my goals for 2020.

Getting organised & decluttering

Decluttering always seems to be one of my resolutions at various points during the year. Where does all the stuff come from??

As a naturally frugal person, I am not somebody who buys endless things. Nevertheless, little bits and bobs find their way into the house, get tucked away somewhere because they ‘might come in useful’ and then forgotten about.

Mr Shoestring gets very annoyed with me for getting rid of these ‘might come in useful’ objects and sometimes he is right. A lot of the time, however, they sit around and we lose track of what we have and where it is.

I think I need to organise the things we have in a better way. With some kind of logical filing system we should be able to dispose of the items we haven’t used and are never likely to use, and keep things that genuinely will be useful. It will also stop us from buying items we already have but can’t find!

I am not, and never will be, a minimalist, but too much clutter stresses me out. Most of us like a little order in our lives so decluttering and getting better organised is the first of my goals for 2020.

Pilates

Regular readers will already know that I am a qualified yoga teacher and practice daily. However, recent back and neck problems have made me look at developing my core strength a little more.

When I was at my worst I was referred for some free Pilates classes. I really enjoyed them, but didn’t get the most of them as my movements were curtailed by the pain I was in.

I want to incorporate some Pilates movements into my morning exercise routine. One of my daughters bought me a great book on the subject, The Pilates Bible: The most comprehensive and accessible guide to Pilates ever*, as well as Fit-Flex Resistance Band*. I’m giving the book a good read through first to get a feel for what to include.

Pilates has a lot of similarities to yoga, actually, but there is more emphasis on strength, which is good for me I think.

Be more business focused

Since I took my redundancy, I have been working on different ways to bring in money as a self-employed person. I have tried eBay reselling and continued to write on this blog (I make a little money from the adverts and the odd affiliate link).

In addition, I have done bits of freelance writing work and helped at the General Election.

I enjoy the variety of different things, but I think I need to be more focused. At the moment, I give myself too many days off and get up too late! If I really want to make enough money working for myself I have to be more organised and disciplined. Otherwise I will have to get a job, and finding something I am qualified to do that pays enough won’t be easy. Wages in my area are shockingly low! It’s difficult to survive on what companies seem prepared to pay and I know that I can earn more working for myself.

In 2020 I will block out periods of time for each task every week so that I do two days of eBay, two days of blogging and have a day to do other random work or to spend on whatever requires the most time and effort.

My working days blend into evenings and weekends currently. I try to keep Sundays free, but that doesn’t always work. It’s important to allow some down time and not to think about work so much I think.

Get up earlier

I used to be up at 6 am when I was working and out of the house by 8 at the latest. Now I sometimes don’t roll out of bed until then…

It is good for me to have more sleep actually, as I have fibromyalgia. However, when I am feeling good I am going to get up at 6 and write. I am so much more creative and productive first thing. The joy of working for myself is that, if I need to, I can have a granny nap in the afternoon!

One of my goals for 2020 then is to set my alarm for 6 am every week day.

No spend January

I have already published a post on my plans for a no spend January. Most years I do this. It’s a great way to start the year feeling in control of your finances after the expense of Christmas.

I would love it if you would join me!

What are your goals for 2020? Do you make resolutions and stick to them, or do you think they are a waste of time? Let me know in the comments.

Have a fabulous 2020 – happy new year to all my  readers.