10 Things I Did in 2020 That I'll Keep Doing in 2021

In the first week of a new year, I frequently see people’s new resolutions, intentions, and goals. While I do have a list of things I hope to see come to light this year, I also wanted to acknowledge the little things that went well last year despite the craziness that I hope to continue doing this year. Here are 10 things I did in 2020 that I will continue doing in 2021:

Daily quiet time.
In addition to the 5 Surprised Things I’ve Loved About Working from Home, I found so much joy in the daily habit of morning quiet time. I wanted to break the instinct of reaching for my phone first thing every morning, so I used the time immediately after waking up to plop down on the floor, drink a glass of water, and write down my gratitudes, dreams from the night before, feelings towards the day, whatever I felt I needed that morning. It’s something I’ve loved and look forward to doing this year.
Mailing handwritten letters to single girlfriends.
Last year I came to the realization that many girls in my community make the decision to get married at a young age—possibly for the wrong reasons. My opinion: single women in their 20s just don’t have many reasons to celebrate because many exciting things surround getting married: showers, weddings, anniversaries, babies, you get what I mean. I sent a mass amount of handwritten cards to single friends near and far, and the response was overwhelming in the best way. I will absolutely be doing it again this year.
Stretching my back.
My posture is atrocious. I blame it on a combination of competitive gymnastics when I was younger, and the desk work that I do every day. This back stretcher randomly showed up at my doorstep as a surprise gift from my dad, and I used it during my work breaks. You can count on me using it every day this year.
Pictures now; post later.
Pictures & videos of happy things were little moments of hope for me in 2020. As we learned, life is so fragile and short. Snaps of small things like flowers on the side of the road or Zoom calls with family were a way for me to appreciate small moments. More times than not, I never posted as they were happening so I could appreciate the moments again later. Posting can always wait.
Counseling sessions
Did everyone and their mother start seeing a therapist or counselor in 2020? I don’t blame them. I did too. Every virtual counseling session I had, I walked away with things I could improve in my life. I look forward to attending more sessions this year.
Bullet journaling
I think many of you are familiar with my #bellabullet journals. I re-discovered a love for bullet journaling. It was a great way for me to exercise my creativity and mindfulness while being prepared for the next week. I look forward to sharing more bullet journals this year.

Read: Top Bullet Journal Tips for Beginners
Buying blank cards
Along with sending cards to girlfriends, another thing I loved doing in the snail mail department was buying completely blank cards, both front and back. I found so much fun designing and decorating my cards, and I figured it was a nice change for both my wallet and routine from buying card packs from Target or stationery stores.
Drying my vegetables completely before roasting them
One of the best purchases I made last year was this $30 salad spinner. I eat a lot of salad, so this thing gets a lot of use every week. It also works well for drying veggies before roasting, so things get nice and crispy in the oven. I’m looking forward to more delicious roasted vegetables this year!
Steaming my face
I was fortunate to be treated to a spa afternoon for my 24th birthday in quarantine. The esthetician recommended this $50 facial steamer for weekly use, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. It’s fun to use and it’s an instant de-stressor on hard days.
Hiking and picnics
It wasn’t until 2020 that I discovered a love for long trail walks and picnics outside. Austin is a great city to get out and explore, and I’m looking forward to finding new places to explore this year.