Reflecting on 2021

Congratulations—we’ve almost made it through one of the weirder years in modern times. Now’s the perfect time to reflect on everything that this year has brought, both personally and globally. Then, you can use the lessons and experiences to set intentions to make 2022 even better.

Reflecting on ‘21

Navigating a post-pandemic world has brought about many new ways of living. More of us are working at home and connecting mostly-virtually for the first time. For many, 2021 served as a reminder of the importance of slowing down to embrace the small wonders of the world.

While it may be difficult to imagine any good news, there was a lot to celebrate in 2021:

• It was a year for more mutual aid, with many communities around the globe stocking community fridges, teaching people how to grow their own food, or implementing programs to put wasted food to better use.
• Researchers made promising advances with a HIV vaccine, with early trials showing positive results for 97% of vaccine recipients.
• Globally, at least 77 countries have declared partial or full plastic bag bans, helping to curb the truckload of plastic that ends up in oceans every minute.
• The US made history by welcoming the first Black, Indian, and woman Vice President.

What about you? What achievements did this year bring? Were you one of the 65% of workers making a career change? Perhaps you’re part of the growing number of people prioritizing wellness? Maybe you visited a new place on your Vika+?

Before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, take some time to reflect on the year, using your reflections to both celebrate yourself and your efforts, as well as pave the path for your 2022 intentions.

Intentions for ‘22

Now’s the time to harness the already-building momentum towards supporting health and wellness. Here are a few things to consider as we welcome the new year:

Plan a New Year’s Resolution You Can Actually Stick To

While ‘dreaming big’ certainly has its place, the most effective resolutions focus on small steps to achieve big goals. Without realistic mini-goals, it could be all too easy to become overwhelmed and give up early on in the year.

Establishing new habits takes time and energy. Combining thoughts with actions will help to nudge you in the direction of lasting change. Harness your inspiration and passion so that you have a better shot of meeting your fitness goals.

Set S.M.A.R.T Fitness Goals

Whether you want to run a marathon or simply leave stress in nature and start incorporating walks or bike rides into your weekly routine, it’s helpful to set healthy, attainable goals. Here’s how to make S.M.A.R.T goals:

• S:Be specific. Instead of “I want to start working out in 2022,” get into the nitty gritty—”I want to go on a 5-mile bike ride to the beach every Sunday.” Establish the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of your fitness goals. The more specific you’re able to get, the easier it will be to work towards your goal.
• M:Make it measurable. Avoid difficult-to-measure words like “more” or “less” and instead choose metrics that will allow you to measure your progress. This could look like goals to do a minute-long plank everyday, or to be able to run a mile in under 10 minutes.
• A: Make it attainable. It’s okay to start small and build up to a big goal. You’ll want to be equipped for success—not overwhelmed and defeated by a goal that seems out of reach. If you do have a big goal in mind, break it down into smaller, easier-to-reach mini goals.
• R: Set realistic goals. As previously mentioned, your goals should fit into your lifestyle and shouldn’t be impossible to reach. If you’re planning a weekly Sunday ride, make sure there aren’t family commitments that could get in the way. Better yet, bring them along on your Packa!
• T: Make your goal time-specific. Having a specific start time and deadline will make it easier to schedule time and make a plan for achieving your goal.

Self-reflection is key to continue improving yourself. Be sure to carve out time to see the progress you’re making towards your goals, or determine if any adjustments need to be made. Also, give yourself some well-deserved credit. You’ll be setting goals and sticking to a schedule to become a better version of you—and that’s worth celebrating.