2020 has been… different.
I recognise that I’ve been very fortunate during this pandemic as I haven’t lost anyone and I am in good health. However, it goes without saying that everyone’s lives have changed.
At the beginning of the year I set out some goals for the year ahead.
I’ve achieved around half of the goals that I set for myself and at least tried to achieve all but one. The exception being: learning to drive. I’m in my early twenties now and the thought of me driving is terrifying. I have absolutely no trust in myself but I know that it’s an important skill to have.
Buying a flat on my own was the plan at the end of 2019/early 2020. But due to personal reasons that didn’t work out, however it’s been better in the long run. My partner and I rented for a while and now we own our own house! It’s definitely better than a one bedroom flat with the shower in the hallway (I really saw a flat for sale like that).
As for the final unfulfilled goal of 2020, it was to get my products in 1 stockist. That didn’t plan out. I contacted shops around March just before the UK lockdown. It was bad timing on my part but nobody predicted the lasting effects that the pandemic would have. This is still very much a goal for 2021.
The 2021 goals are just really an extension of the things I wish I’d got done this year. I’m not going to beat myself up about not achieving everything because it’s been a tough year. I still want to learn to drive. I want to finish the children’s book that I’m currently working on.
Self publishing ‘Lions Hate Pigeons’ was a learning curve and this next book will be self published too. I’ve learned from my mistakes with the first book and this time I’m going to try a kickstarter to fund the new book. Kickstarter will allow me to produce a higher quality print finish to my book (Hardback! I’m so excited) that I was unable to afford when publishing ‘Lions Hate Pigeons’. Before I think about starting a kickstarter, I better get drawing.
Getting an agent was a big focus in 2020 and still is now. Improvements can be made to my portfolio and that’s what I’m working on now.
If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that I’m more resilient than I ever thought I was. Roll on 2021.
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