The Perpetual Self-Improvement Game (Part Four)

 Happy New Year, and (depending which camp you're in) Happy New Decade!

It's been a heck of a year for us, one we're quite happy to put behind us.  Perhaps I'm dwelling too much on the negatives, but it seems there was more bad than good.  In any event, things worked out for the better in almost all cases, but the stress did enough psychological damage that I'm only JUST recovering.

With that in mind, it's time to trot out my annual list of resolutions.  I did fairly well on last year's list, however personal growth is ongoing, so most of last year's goals are also this year's goals.

1.  Get Fit.  I'm a bit lighter than I was last year, but not by much.  I cut out a LOT of junkfood in the latter half of the year and it's paying off.  Unfortunately, I haven't been getting much exercise apart from climbing stairs and walking to my bus stop.  2020's goal is to go for more walks and...

2.  Ride my bikes more often.  I managed to knock a couple of things off my cycling bucket list early on, and went exploring a few times.  I commuted to work a few times on my folding bike, but not enough.  Next year's goal is to cycle whenever possible, rain or shine.

3.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose.  I had fairly good success in this regard, repairing (or having repaired) a number of electronics or computers I normally would have tossed or e-cycled.  I also started using less plastic, but have a long way to go to be "plastic-free".  I know it won't have a huge impact on the environment, but it'll help a tiny bit.

4.  Reduce my stress level.  This is an area that really needs work.  I'm perpetually stressed and it's not helping my health.

5.  Be a better neighbour.  Baby steps.  We're at a point where we can have a cordial conversation with our neighbours now, any bad blood seems to have... drained?  We're a long way off from friendly barbecues together, but we're slowly getting there.

6. Be more engaged socially and politically.  Some success here.  Rachel and I stayed attentive and engaged throughout the provincial and federal election campaigns (voting at the advance polls both times).  In this non-election year, we're keeping abreast of things and will be making ourselves heard.

7.  Cut down on my electronics.  I got rid of 90% of my computer stuff when we moved to Charleswood a few years ago.  This year, I'm planning to get rid of a further 8% of that original number - leaving me with just 2% of my gear pre-move.  I'm only buying equipment as needed, and then only to replace broken/faulty parts for existing computers.

8.  Spend more time on creative pursuits.  I started writing scenarios, adventures, and campaigns again for pen-and-paper RPGs such as AD&D (First Edition), Car Wars, and GURPS (3rd Edition mostly, some 4th).  I recently came to the conclusion that it's not chiefly the role-playing I enjoy (although I do enjoy it), I just like writing stories and crafting worlds.  I'm going to continue playing and writing (blogging?) whenever possible...

9.  Build up momentum.  My sister-in-law inspired this one.  On Facebook, she asked if any of us had something special - a word or idea - they were welcoming (or wanted to welcome) in the coming year.  I had to think about it for a few seconds, and it came to me: MOMENTUM.  If I want to see one change in myself this year, it's to build up momentum.  I tend to work on things piecemeal, doing a bit of work on one project, then a bit more on another, and so on, coming back to the first project days/weeks/months/years/decades later.  By doing so, I'm really holding myself back and not progressing.  I had a metaphysical experience over the summer while riding my bike that would sum this up perfectly, one I'll share in next week's post.


And that's that.  See you on Friday for this week's Musical Interlude.