The Archive Check: Looking Back at a Pivot Year
As we plan our future goals, there is immense value in looking back at the expectations we once set for ourselves. Pulling this post out of the archives from the end of 2020 offers a fascinating time capsule. Written right after a year of unprecedented lockdowns and altered plans, this honest review of my resolutions serves as a gentle reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and some of the best personal milestones come from simply adapting to change.
We have all been through seasons where our carefully planned timelines get completely thrown out the window. Usually, I’m the person getting my goal reflection posts up in the middle of February, so finally getting my act together to look back on time felt like a massive victory in itself.
When I sat down at the beginning of 2020 to set my goals, who knew we were about to experience a worldwide pause. Looking back at those resolutions from the other side of that year is an amazing exercise in shifting perspective.
From learning my way around the kitchen to embracing a more intentional beauty collection, here is my honest personal growth reflection on how my 2020 goals actually turned out.
Lose Weight
My weight fluctuated a lot throughout the year, but by the end of it, I landed right around the same place I started. Instead of beating myself up about it, I chose not to be upset. Having a healthy mindset means recognising that life happens, but knowing deep down that I have the capability and tools to reach my fitness targets when the timing is right. I’ve done it once, and I know I can do it again.
Continuing to Learn How to Cook
If there was one standout highlight from this list, it was in the kitchen. While there is always more to learn, I spent the year creating meals I never thought I was capable of making.
There is something deeply satisfying about cooking a fresh dish from scratch rather than just punching buttons on a microwave for a ready meal. It became a hobby I genuinely enjoy, and the absolute biggest bonus was that, touch wood, nothing went horribly wrong in the process!
Completely Use Up a Powder Product
I wouldn’t exactly call this goal a failure, but progress was definitely slowed down by the circumstances. Spending months in lockdown meant my everyday makeup routine completely went on the back burner.
While I didn’t completely empty a single compact, I did manage to hit pan on a fair few powder products. It kept me focused on the ultimate goal of downsizing my collection and being more mindful of what I store in my vanity drawers.
Drink Less Fizzy Drinks
I’d say I had my fair share of good days and bad days with this, but it was definitely a massive improvement compared to the year before. Swapping out Pepsi Max for juice felt like a great stepping stone, with the next mission being a transition from juice to pure water. It’s all about taking things one manageable step at a time.
Shop My Stash
This was an absolute triumph that brought me so much joy. I barely bought any new beauty launches throughout the year. Choosing instead to dive deep into the products I already owned.
This approach is actually how I completely rediscovered my love for the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette. Which quickly become one of my most used items of the entire year. It was incredibly refreshing to slow down. Appreciate the value of what I already purchased, and stop constantly looking for the next best thing on the high street.
The Value of Looking Back
Revisiting this archive reminds me that a true personal growth reflection isn’t about giving yourself a perfect scorecard. It’s about celebrating the practical skills you built. Recognising the areas where you showed flexibility, and finding contentment in the quiet wins. Life rarely goes exactly according to script, but looking back. I’d like to think I did pretty well with the hand I was dealt, even given the circumstances.
Let’s chat in the comments!
When you look back at past goals you set for yourself. What are the small, unexpected victories that you are most proud of? Have you ever done a “shop my stash” challenge with your own collection?
Thank you for reading!
That’s a great idea to do! I always put goals for myself but never look at the end of it how I did! I’m glad you’re having fun in the kitchen xx
I am so glad you think so! I think it’s so important to look back and reflect. Thank you xx
Sounds like a success to me! Well done Hannah! Xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
Thank you so much!xx
Me too.. I’ve done good at not buying things I don’t need like extra clothes or beauty products. Hope I can kind of keep this up in 2021 as well.
Happy Holidays!
http://www.fashionradi.com
So glad to hear you’ve improved as well! I hope you’re able to stick to it too. Happy Holidays xx
These are some great goals!! I love to cook and would love to do more of it next year, trying different recipes xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Thank you I’m glad you think so! I hope you’re able to explore different recipes next year xx
These are such great goals for 2020. I have the same one about losing weight. I need to eat healthier in the new year for sure!
I am glad you think so! Good luck, I hope you’re able to do it xx
I didn’t really have any goals for 2020 as some pretty difficult personal stuff has been going on the whole year but I am looking to making some for 2021. I have to think about them a bit more but I hope they will be useful, etc. I think you have done really well with your goals this year, congrats!
I am sorry to hear that, I hope you have an amazing 2021. Thank you so much, I appreciate it xx
I love that you write 2020 goals because on my blog, I also list my monthly goals and it’s great to reflect to see what you’ve accomplished 🙂
I hope you do well with your monthly goals! It really is xx
I feel like, considering the year we’ve had, you’ve made some great progress!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. I hope you have an amazing 2021 xx
Oh so nice that you learned How to Cook! Congratulations darling
Merry Christmas!
Thank you! It’s such a great skill to have xx
I never remember to keep track of any goals I set so I always forget if I’ve made any progress. I’ve definitely been shopping my stash more this year and I’ve managed to use up quite a few products which I’m pleased about!
Tash
Ah, no way! That’s good to hear, it’s always nice to use what you have xx
Congrats on smashing your goals – it’s been quite the year so you’ve done brilliantly. I don’t set goals any more because I get too downhearted when I don’t meet them but I love hearing about other people’s successes 🙂
Thank you, I’m glad you think so! I know what you mean, I used to be the same xx
I’m looking to losing some weight in 2021, I hope I’ll be able to stick to it! I love these goals you made at the start of 2020! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Good luck with it! Thank you so much xx
I know sticking to goals can be hard during a pandemic. But more time at home so more time to cook lol! And that is good to get away from drinks like coke and pepsi I NEVER drink this, it is very bad for you.
Allie
It really can! That is so true, it’s been a good year of cooking haha! I know, it’s a bad habit xx
You´ve done so well on your goals, I loved this blog post idea !
xo, Shannen
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it xx
Well done!! Great to see some positivity at the end of this awful year. You should be proud 🙂
https://www.wooloftheking.com/
Thank you so much!xx
I feel your pain with fluctuating weight. It’s always a battle, and not an easy one. But any progress is good progress, and as you keep learning to cook, you’ll be able to do more.
I get what you mean, and totally agree with you! Progress is progress. That is such a good point xx
I love reading posts like this! I need to take some of these into my own life for 2021! xxx
I am so glad you like them! I hope you have an amazing 2021 xx
Well done on reaching some of these goals. I definitely agree lockdown has had an effect on so much, including some of my goals too.
Thank you! It was definitely a strange year xx
Great job on your goals! Well done!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you xx
Thank you for sharing how you got on with your goals this year, using up products and buying less is on mine for next year 🙂
It’s no problem, thank you for stopping by! I hope it goes well for you xx
I love how your goals were such that still completely obtainable despite the pandemic. I didn’t set any goals for my self, but my hopes to travel more and find more steady job in either hospitality or media got kinda push back by the whole situation.
These are such a beautiful goals. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Oh I want to learn how to cook >< have been planning to do it for so long! I definitely have to add this as my goal for next year. Thank you for sharing x
You did a great job working towards your goals this past year! Hitting pan is a major accomplishment – next year I want to shop my stash more and do a better job using up more of my collection, too!
You’ve made some major progress and success, hunn! Good for you xx
lenne | lennezulkiflly.com
I always love reading posts like these! It reminds me (and also thinking at my personal goals for 2020) that it’s okay when things don’t turn out exactly as we planned them so long ago. With the lockdown we must have all improved our cooking skills haha!
Julia x
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It’s always good to reflect on goals!
I think you’ve made great progress considering we didn’t know what the year would hold when you made these goals
Here’s hoping 2021 has something better on the horizon
Alice | aliceinsheffield.com
You should be so proud at all you’ve achieved in 2020! It’s was such a difficult year, and for you to have accomplished quite a bit of your goals is amazing! I hope you’re even more successful with your 2021 goals 🙂 xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
You did really well! I can’t even remember my 2020 goals but Covid wiped most of the year out for me so I don’t care about not achieving them – just being alive is enough for me! x
Beautylymin