2021 Goals Revisited
The year is winding down and its come that time I get reflective on the past 12 months. I don’t think anyone will deny it’s been a difficult year. We are still in the midst of this pandemic and I think plague fatigue is really setting in. We were all probably hoping this past year would look different than it did. Still, I am thankful to have come through and to be putting this year behind me. There are still good and beautiful things and I’m choosing to live in that perspective. I set some pretty lofty goals for this year and I’m excited to look back and see how I did! So here is a quick recap of how my 2021 goals went!
FIRST 2021 GOAL
No new clothes. Let’s get this awkward part out of the way first, I did in fact buy some new clothes. I really did try buy the item in question second hand but after a few failures it was starting to feel like a waste of my time and money. That all being said I bought two pairs of jeans new from the store. I really don’t have *that* many regrets about the purchase. I’ve worn both pairs of jeans several times a week and I just really couldn’t find anything that fit correctly when I tried to thrift. I obviously would have liked to be able to say I succeeded 100% with this, especially because I got so close, but I didn’t. I’m still incredibly proud of what I did manage.
Other than the good feelings that come with accomplishing one of my 2021 goals also had some unexpected perks to this goal. I’ve realized how truly unhappy it makes me to have a closet packed full of clothes. I definitely enjoyed buying clothes but having all those clothes was awful. It made me feel stressed and overwhelmed about putting together outfits. When I started this challenge I thought I would become a dragon hoarding clothes because I COULDN’T HAVE ANY NEW ONES!!! As the year went on quite the opposite happened. I kept sorting through and getting rid of clothes.
After my wardrobe was extremely paired down I wore so much more of it. None of this to say I have a small amount of clothes, I’m sure there are people with much less, but the clothes I do have I really love and love to wear. I can reach into my closet and pull something out at random knowing I will like to wear it.
This probably surprises no one but not being overwhelmed by a growing mountain of impulse purchased clothes has improved my life. Full transparency once this year is over I probably will buy some new clothes. That sounds a bit questionable considering everything I just said. However, I plan on being much more intentional with my purchases. There is an ease to shopping new when you know what you need that you don’t have with other options. I still want to primarily thrift and sew my clothes but darn it all I really want a neutral blazer that fits me right!
If you see me out on a shopping spree please call me out. If I’m making a considered purchase just walk on by.
SECOND 2021 GOAL
This part of my 2021 goals I was less successful in completing. I got pretty distracted with other sewing projects and only made six out of the nine projects I was hoping to get to. The last couple months of this year I was really struggling with sewing. Mostly with getting the right fit and having the motivation. There were some trickier projects I had left to the end of the year and then couldn’t even really start in on. I did learn this year that I need to stop trying to make raglan sleeves a thing. They are not meant for my body type and trying to work with them again will drive me insane.
1/9 Wilder Gown by Friday Pattern Co.
Look, I tried. I really tried but I made at least six versions of this dress hoping to make one I really liked… that did not happen. It just doesn’t suit my body and after all these versions I didn’t care enough to try and mess around with even more alterations. This one is going to be a pass for me.
Buy the pattern here: Wilder Gown
2/9 Cottesloe Swimsuit by Megan Nielsen
I probably should have anticipated that summer ending and me still not having started in on this project was the kiss of death. I have purchased the fabric to make a first version. I’m really considering keeping this on my Make Nine and adding it to next years.
Buy the pattern here: Cottseloe Swimsuit
3/9 Gilbert Top by Helens Closet
So far I have only made one version of this top. While I really like it and the pattern there are a few changes that will need to be made so it will fit my body better. I made it a bit too short and the sleeves need some alteration. Shouldn’t be too difficult so I am hoping to make more versions in 2022.
Buy the pattern here: Gilbert Top
4/9 Stellan Tee by French Navy
I have made so many of these shirts this year! This pattern is such a versatile basic. One time I made one because I didn’t feel like doing laundry. I definitely see myself making even more in the next year. I’ve even used the pattern to hack a dress and a sleeve with loose sleeves.
Get the pattern here: Stellan Tee
5/9 Ginger Jeans by Closet Core Patterns
Didn’t even get to a planning stage for these. I overwhelmed myself and didn’t have the energy or capacity to take on a project that would be this much work.
Buy the pattern here: Ginger Jeans
6/9 Ogden Cami by True Bias
This project promised a lot but let me tell you IT DELIVERED! I didn’t have to make any major adjustments to fit my bust. I just shortened the straps a little and lengthened the lining. Love this pattern so much I’m planning on hacking it into a dress.
Buy the pattern here: Ogden Cami
7/9 Frikka Hoodie by Fibre Mood
I had a pretty major falling out with Fibre Mood this year. More specifically with their instructions. IN short they are seriously lacking in details. After being really disappointed with the experience I had with them I wasn’t keen to even try making this pattern.
Buy the pattern here: Frikka Hoodie
8/9 Jumpsuit by Peppermint Magazine
I made this jumpsuit in a really light Kokka cotton and it is just delightful. I do think I should size up for my next one but there will definitely be a next one.
Get the pattern here: Peppermint Jumpsuit
9/9 Playsuit by Peppermint Magazine
I never actually made this playsuit, instead I hacked the pattern to be a short dress with tie up sleeves. I wear this more than any other things I’ve made. Wearing this makes me realize how much more likely I am to wear clothes if they are black. Something to remember for next year I think.
Get pattern here: Peppermint Playsuit
Did I complete this part of my 2021 goals in it’s entirety? No, but I am still happy with how much I got done.
THIRD 2021 GOAL
Being in the midst of a global pandemic for a seemingly endless amount of time has really taken a toll on my mental health and outlook on life. So I spent 2021 trying to really focus in on the things that brought me joy and made me feel grateful for all the good still happening in life. My focus is looking for the brightness more and more everyday.
You can see all my posts about this on the blog. I’d recommend you start with: Best of January
So what’s next? Well check in tomorrow to see what I’m challenging myself with in 2022!
I’d love to how you did with your 2021 goals.
Happy New Year
Hannah
