Thursday 31 December 2020

Get stuffed 2020!

 


Oh how I started the year naively thinking I'd be closer to my retirement goals and finally enjoying the life I wanted.  Even without Covid, this year has sucked for my family. Organising funerals in the midst of a pandemic wasn't nice.  Clearing out a hoarder's house definitely wasn't nice.  My youngest son's relationship broke down and he moved back home. Not nice for him.  And I finally severed ties with someone who just couldn't be a friend once our relationship had ended.  So yeah, 2020 can do one!!

But since I'm not a negative Nelly I can acknowledge the positives that have come from this year.  Like many others I have been forced to slow down and reassess what is important.  And practise gratitude for what I do have. Throughout the year my job was secure and my family stayed Covid free.

I can now look back at my 2020 goals and realise I have achieved some of them, to some degree.  

1.  I did work out a retirement plan then changed it, several times!  I'm changing stages in school next year and have committed another 2 years to my school.  So I'm still teaching but I have a few other things in the pipeline.

2.  My son is currently living in the extended part of the house so we'll see how the Air BnB concept 'could' work.

3.  I managed to save then spent my savings!!  Ah well!

4.  I did reclaim my back garden from the chickens.  It's a work in progress but it's much better than it was.

5.  Gigantic FAIL!  Neither fit nor healthy atm but I'm working on it.

6.  I did grow more fruit and vegetables thanks to my new allotment!

7.  I've made a few permanent changes that will help but I could definitely do a lot more.

I really have no ideas what my 2021 goals are yet.  Obviously to stay healthy and Covid free is in there, plus growing more stuff on my allotment.  I'll have a think and read what other people are planning.  But right now 2020 can get stuffed!!


15 comments:

  1. i think you did well, happy new year to you x

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    1. Thanks! Happy New Year to you too! :-)

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  2. All things considered, I think to have made any progress towards your goals is an achievement! It's great to see your determination and positivity. Have a happy and healthy new year. Vicki in the East Riding

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    1. Thanks! Even small progress is still progress. Happy New Year to you too :-)

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  3. Any progress in the year that has just ended is progress indeed! Keeping a positive state of mind is a definite advantage. I get annoyed with the moaners and whiners - we are still so fortunate to only have "first world" problems!

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    1. I completely agree! When I feel moany I have to remind myself how lucky I am. Happy New Year to you too!! :-)

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  4. Forgot to wish you a happy New Year. Hope Hogmany was stellar!

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  5. Happy New Year to you. Let's hope that 2021 is a good one and lets you get closer to your goals.

    If airbnb doesn't end up looking like a good idea, perhaps the rent a room scheme would appeal? I'm assuming it's allowed in Scotland. You could choose a lodger you like and not have to provide cleaning services etc. Not as much money to be earned, but potentially much less hassle and up to £7500 tax free (2019 figure).

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    1. Happy New Year to you too! Yes rent a room works here and being a university town there are lots of potential lodgers. So far the biggest issue is sharing my kitchen with my son. Different eating times and habits is creating a constantly messy kitchen especially as the dishwasher is broken. And 'someone' always needs reminding to wash his dishes!!

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    2. Given your experience so far with your son maybe not a student as a lodger then :)
      Do you have people who work in town and then go home for the weekends? Someone like that could be ideal as you would have the house to yourself a couple of days a week.

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  6. Sounds like your year wasn't 'too bad' all things considered! I was thinking of goals too but like you I need more time to think about it as I want to be realistic. I'm sorry to hear you need to teach for longer than you'd hoped but these days needs must I suppose. It sounds like you need to put some sort of mini kitchen in the extension. Look at some caravans for inspiration perhaps? I hope you have a very happy and healthy new year, I look forward to following along to watch your progress! (does that sound stalkerish!!) x

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    1. And a happy and healthy new year to you too! I don't 'need' to teach longer it's just the simplest solution atm. 2 more years plus the 'other things' I've got going on ;-) will mean a better retirement plan. A mini kitchen in the utility room would be a solution but a wee kitchen extension might be a better option if I stay in this house. Lots to think about :-) xxx

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  7. I hope all is well Ali and you're just too busy to blog at the moment, I can only imagine how hard it must be for teachers just now. Take care. x

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    1. Yes all is well thanks. Just very busy and spending far too long in front of a computer screen all day. Plus I have a new distraction in my life ;-) xxx

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    2. Well thats a cliffhanger if ever there was one lol. Glad you're well. xx

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