I don’t think this would be good for public consumption, but I think, if you wanted to do it, it can be helpful to be very specific to yourself about what you have achieved, and to list these – EVEN in some of the goals that are a bit vague.

So, for example, with the gardening goal it is easy to be able to list that you grew and enjoyed so many lettuces, but with things like working on Photography, or on Family Relationships, seeing progress can be a bit vague. You may be more encouraged to log to yourself precise things that you have done. With photography, for example, how many shoots you have managed, what areas you have consciously tried to improve and what success you have had. You may be surprised at your success.

Good for you in reviewing your goals. I do that too. I don’t generally write them but I do review my life regularly in my head in a determination not to drift in directions I don’t want to go.

What you should perhaps do now is write a revised list in a week or so (when this one has faded a little from your mind). Start afresh and then when you have done it, compare it with this one and amend it as necessary. That will stop you incorporating things that are no longer important to you just because they were on previous lists.

I truly believe that we have to focus on ourselves first and that we are little use to anyone if we do not keep ourselves happy, healthy and doing what we want to do. And a key part of that is exercise (both for body and soul) so I do hope that keeping up your running and yoga will appear on your next set of goals!!

It’s fine to care about others but don’t let yourself get bogged down in their problems or let them influence your psyche too greatly. I know it is hard to do (I fail at it often too) but if you can just remember that you are you and that there is a space around you that separates you from everyone else and that certainl things only cross that space if you choose to let them, then you can become more self-contained and in control of your own happiness/success.

Oh boy, I am sounding like one of those horrid self-help manuals that I refuse to read. Time to go . . .

More money and manpower needs to be put into researching and establishing alternative energy sources, particularly in the short term, carbon capture and storage.

I do understand how people can just sit back. The problem seems to immense that us switching to low energy lightbulbs, really does not make a big difference. I suspect we are going to have to see a big shock – something catastrophic happen – before people mobilise for action on a large scale.

But the little things do help. In particular ensuring that we set our young people up with good habits so that they do attempt to live in the same way that we have.

Local groups are good but all too often they preach to the converted and their make-up is often such that they are ignored by many people as middle-class do-gooders. They work most effectively when they have someone charismatic at the helm, like the woman who got plastic bags banned from her town.

Great post

Like you, I find 30 mins about perfect (which is how long it takes to walk 2 miles).

It’s also good for my back!

Sorry to be so late at commenting on this piece.

I would like to think that you could enjoy walking again. I could never get up at 6 in the morning and walk, can see why you had to give it up. Would you enjoy it more if you were able to walk in the countryside?
I am a strong believer that you can make time to do the things you want. Perhaps, you should take the car out on a Sat afternnoon, with you camera ,and make an attempt to take a drive to the country and walk from there. There are loads of near places I could tell you about within 15 mins.
You have to enjoy what you do to keep it going. Perhaps, a morning walk at the weekend is one way, for example, without work getting in the way.
I am very sorry to hear that you are not enjoying walking anymore, and would hope to encourage you to re-kindle that interest. It is one form of exercise that is safe-given your PMH and so very necessary for you to do.
How can it become more enjoyable again? Give that some thought as it really is a very nice experience if you can get it right. I love my walks.
Living out in the country has many drawbacks but this is one example of where we are fortunate.
Your answer shows that it is often the simple things in life that we enjoy, that we should not take for granted.
Thanks for the comments.

At one stage I used to walk very early in the mornings – 06:00-06:30. I enjoyed that a lot. It was cool, nobody else was around, and I used to listen to Radio 4 podcasts. I enjoyed the learning and the isolation. However, I couldn’t keep it up.

In the past year I have walked in the afternoons, and I like that less. It is often hot. There are people about and I feel that people must be watching me form their windows – I don’t have easy access to the countryside like you. Now I tend to loose myself by trying to get acquainted with more music. However, I can’t say that I enjoy the experience anymore. When I do walk I tend to walk out of guilt – to make myself exercise – rather than as an enjoyable end in itself. And when I don’t walk, I feel even guiltier.

I’m glad you enjoy your walks. Mine are an occasional necessary evil.