What a year! In a whirlwind, I’m ~officially~ halfway done with college and I made it out (mostly) alive. Remember those goals I had for the year? Well, here is how they went and a sneak preview of what the summer could have in store for me!
This year was a rollercoaster of emotion. Life knocked me down a few times, but I came back better than ever, and am ready to take on the world. As you know, at the end of every quarter, I try to do a comprehensive life review-here are the Fall and Winter incarnations- to make sure that I am on the right track.
The Review
I borrowed these questions from Lisa Jacobs from Marketing Creativity, and they incorporated well with the ranking system I already had going to track my progress towards my goals.
The punchline is that even though I accomplished a ton, I did spread myself a little to thin towards the end of the year. With classes and a part-time job, in addition to race training, things would fall through the cracks.
I wouldn’t trade the experiences I had this spring for anything, but looking at next year, I’ll probably try to focus a little more on the things I am truly passionate about rather than trying to do everything that sounds cool.
So What Happened with those Goals
Exercise: I am stronger and faster than I have ever been before. Even though I didn’t end up going to Yoga once a week, I more than achieved the rest of my goals (I’m running a marathon in 2 weeks, which was beyond my wildest dreams when I made this list). Instead of getting up to 8 and 10lb weights, I’m using 20lb free weights and have started lifting regularly. I exercise almost every day and I finished that half marathon so I had to change the last goal to read a marathon.
Food: Ok let’s be real, I still can’t cook. I order a lot of take out. I am eating healthier than I ever have, though (because when I eat delicious, sugary, fatty trash I feel like trash when I exercise). My diet has always been a work in progress and hopefully this summer, without my precious meal plan, I’ll get a lot better at this.
Mental Health: When I made this section of goals, I was in a rough place mentally and the rest of this list seemed like a tall order. Even leaving the apartment daily was monumental, so I cannot describe how meaningful it is that this quarter I didn’t think once about this section of the goals.
Money: I still don’t know how to budget so that I actually save money, but I did a better job of spending money on useful things rather than one-time pointless purchases (I’m looking at you, late night candy runs). I also made money at my job during the year, so I had money to spend on transportation every now and then.
Academic:Â My spring grades aren’t out yet, so I don’t know about this section. Through the year, I just about maintained where I was. I did spend a little too much time on my other commitments rather than my academics this spring, and I think it will be reflected in the grades.
Career: I just finished an awesome job downtown, which opened tons of doors for me and gave me a little extra spending money. Even though I had to cut back on my tutoring hours, it was a job I was excited about and I learned tons about the field I hope to work in one day. It helped me get that awesome summer internship I cannot wait to start next week.
H.A.G.S.
I cannot say how excited I am that it is finally summer. I was so caught up with everything that was going on in the last two weeks between finals and finishing my job, that I didn’t realize how different life without them will be.
I start my full time job next week, which means I will have to commute to work every day and feed myself (if anyone in Chicago can teach me to cook, please call me so I can eat something other than pb&j). I will also be working a part-time job on the weekends, as well as continuing to post about my life here, on my Instagram @xoxorosana.blog, and on my new Facebook page!
In a couple weeks, I will be running my first full marathon (which sounds ridiculous no matter how many times I say it)! After that, I’m going to take a quick break from running to try some other kinds of exercise (that hopefully will keep me from getting hurt).
Do you have any tips for me before I start my job? Is there anything in Chicago this summer I should make sure to check out?
Most importantly, can you teach me to cook?
Join me, as I try to find that 25th hour this summer.
Xoxo, Rosana
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