One of the best things about blogging is that you create a record of your successes and failures. You have the opportunity to look back and see how far you have progressed in your journey. You also have the chance to see where you have failed to meet goals and expectations set for yourself. This post is about the latter.

On Jan 8, 2008 I wrote a post listing some of the things I wanted to do during 2008. I did not complete a single thing on the list, but it serves as an interesting reminder of my journey through 2008

Lose 50 pounds. This was the first goal on my list. Clearly I have not reached that goal. My weight has been up and down throughout the year. I basically have lost and regained the same ten or so pounds over and over again. Never have I made less progress in anything.

Complete a 5k. I trained then I missed the first race I planned on running. I bailed to go to a wedding which ironically I didn’t go to but I didn’t go to the race either. I didn’t train for the second race a few months later, and I didn’t run it either. I completely planned on going anyway and running/walking the three miles but ended up catching a cold and sleeping through the race (and the below freezing weather that morning). I committed to two races and completed zero. Third time is the charm? I hope so.

Complete a triathlon. I planned on doing a triathlon this year. Did I? No. I at least trained for the 5k, but never got very far on the triathlon training. This is still the number one goal I want to accomplish so it will be pushed over to next year. I will for sure

Figure out the next step. Ah, the next step. The next step turned out to be a lot less grand than I originally thought. I learned to stop trying to plan out my next twenty years and just take things one day at a time. Right now I am working a low paying temp job instead of the glamorous high paying career I planned (doesn’t everyone plan for that?). I really enjoy the place I work for now and the next step in my life could be any number of things. I will just wait and see what comes.

So, I didn’t quite complete my goals. Thinking about the last year reminds me about how even the best planners can’t plan for everything. When I set out these goals on that day in January I had no idea how many major events would occur during the year that would consume my time and effort. I had no idea that this year I would be scammed out of hundreds of dollars, my half-sister would die, my school would be ravaged by a tornado, or any of the things that happened.

For the majority of 2008 I considered it the worst year ever. A few good things did happen during the year and even all the bad events came with some good. But never before have I had a year so full of days where I felt drained, empty, lost, confused, or hurt. Considering how these emotions normally drive me to eat I am surprised I do not weigh 400 pounds right now.

I plan on enjoying the last few weeks of the worst year ever. I will enjoy spending time with my friends and family celebrating the holidays. Then I will happily say goodbye to 2008 and start a new year that I hope will be a better one.