In early April, I set some spring goals for spring with COVID-19 in mind. Now, let’s revisit them…
- Apply for ten jobs a week: At the end of April, I got a call back for a job I was pretty confident I would get, so I let myself relax for a bit. After a slow interview process and lack of communication, it was only a week ago that I came to terms with the fact that I didn’t get it. I will restart the process again now even though the job market is pretty sparse at the moment.
- Keep up with my reading challenge by reading one book a week: I’ve just finished my reading challenge of 52 books in 2020 yesterday!
- Continue to pay off debt and save money: I’m well ahead of my savings goal and also ahead (less so) on my debt pay-off plans. I will hold off on getting even further for now while I don’t have a job.
- Stretch and run a few times a week: It’s to [censored] hot to run or any outdoor activity for that matter, but in Oregon I walked and hiked regularly and at home I’ve started swimming for exercise in my backyard.
- Bake and cook more: I should really stop kidding myself with this, shouldn’t I?
Since we’re halfway through the year now, I also would like to revisit my big goals for 2020. These were set before COVID-19 and will probably be revised with the pandemic in mind…
Visit two new countries: International travel looks more or less off the table for the rest of the year. I’m not scared of COVID in other countries but rather being a carrier myself to countries that have more or less eliminated it (damn, if this isn’t a huge wake-up call for U.S. healthcare, I don’t know what is). I rescheduled my divemaster trip to Honduras for October, but I will have to evaluate the statistics closer to that time.- Visit three new southwest sights: On the other hand, camping and car-travel is relatively low-risk so I think I will try to see more of the western U.S. during this time.
- Visit
twoone new state: I got to see a lot of Oregon, driving through it three times and exploring Portland, Newport, Seaside and Cannon Beach. Where should I drive to next? - Read
52 books: I’ve just finished my 52nd book the other day! I hope to read on at least at a similar pace (one book a week) regardless of my circumstances for the rest of the year. It brings me so much joy. - Become more mindful of personal finance: I continually saved at least 15% and owed 20% to paying off debt with a respectable amount left over to spend on myself (the whole no rent thing really helps a lot). I’m really proud of myself!
- Apply for jobs and network: I’ve talked to a few of my higher-ups about the next steps after observing. Like I said, the job market is sparse at the moment, but I hope my name will come to mind when a position opens up. I’ve applied for a lot of jobs and heard next to nothing. At this point, I’m just throwing a bunch of shit at the wall and hoping something sticks.
Finally, here are my goals for summer…
- Continue reading at a pace of about one book a week
- Apply for ten jobs a week
- Stretch and exercise a few times a week
- Practice Spanish daily
- Clean out closet
- Watch more movies and T.V. shows
- Try something creative (painting, embroidery, etc.)
- Organize and declutter my computer (photos and documents as well as online)
What are your lockdown goals?
Photo by Mitchell Luo.
