Happy New Year, everyone! 2020 taught us all a few important lessons. Expect the unexpected and being thankful when times are tough. While 2021 might not be much different, we can’t let the lockdown put a stop to our lifestyles completely. We can still live our best lives with alternative actions and achievements.
We are big on setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. As mentioned in the last post, making the decision to change is instant. However, it takes time for results to appear. Sometimes, you can be caught up to the point where you don’t realize the results when it’s there. This year, we have a few areas we want to focus on.
Being Present
To us, being present means you’re actively aware and participating in what’s going on around you. You’re not distracted by anything such as passive thoughts, and especially your devices. We want to be better at enjoying the moment. Sometimes, we are too busy trying to complete an objective that we forget to enjoy doing it. The last thing we want is to remember dreadfulness when we reflect back on specific moments.
Health is Wealth
We’re big on health. We try not to eat any process foods. The more color on our plate, the better. It’s amazing how the body feels after going through multiple weeks of clean eating. Don’t get me wrong, we love burgers, Korean BBQ, and sweets (Mario especially). We are not saying only to eat salads because for us, that’s impossible. Nancy and I love going out to eat and drink but we don’t go overboard. This year we will make more of an effort to cook our favorite out-to-eat foods. Nancy is already perfecting sushi rolls. Just be aware of how much is going into your body. Enjoy the cheat meals and exercise regularly. It’s all about keeping a healthy balance.
Financial Responsibility
One of the positive outcomes of the lockdown is the cut in spending. We’re not going out as much and sticking to a more minimal lifestyle. This involves being more mindful about what we actually need. We were fortunate enough to be able to talk to a financial advisor. We try to make sure we have a solid foundation for our future. If possible, we believe it is good to try to talk to a financial advisor to get a realistic picture of your financial situation. We don’t know everything about money, but talking to professionals may give you the insight to invest more or invest in different portfolios that will benefit you. We know times may be hard right now, and many people are out of a job. So, it’s important more than ever to make sure you and/or your family have a plan to get through the new year. We are not sure how this new year is going to be but, we hope for a better one.
Do What You Love
Even though we were promoted last year, the corporate ladder doesn’t stop there. Our performance this year sets the path to the next level, for both of us. We both enjoy the work we do in cybersecurity, whether it’s leading a team, building cool solutions, or trying to improve current processes. I (Nancy) built a robust cybersecurity risk scoring form for the team last year, and Mario created and improve a ton of use cases for detection and alerting. We were happy with the results, and believe we can contribute more in 2021. We are strong believers in being a career that we enjoy. If you’re spending at least 8 hours per weekday working, make the most out of it. If not, take the steps towards a career you will enjoy and thrive in.
Modern Minimalists, The Blog
Modern Minimalists launched late last year to get the ball rolling. We started off publishing a new post every 2 weeks to get a feel for co-writing and co-editing. Now that we’re a few posts deep, we are excited to share more exciting content on a weekly basis from this point forward. We are excited to share our thoughts and lifestyle this year, and thank everyone for your support!
Happy new year Nancy & Mario! I’m excited to see where this year takes you both ❤️ reading this after completing my first workout of the year… I really want to be HOT ON all the things I struggle to maintain: working out, reading, courses etc.
2020 turned out like I never could have imagined, I’m excited to flip 2021 on its head, this time I’M in control 💪
Hayley || hayleyxmartin
Happy New Year to you both! Loving the focus & motivation here to make improvements across both personal & professional facets (esp the mental reset to keep moving the goal post & not ease the pedal despite your recent promotions). Oh, and sushi chef-in-making, Nancy?! Dream girl! For myself, I’m especially looking forward to building on new habits formed last year including writing and cycling. Cheers, guys!
Happy New Year! I always love reflecting on life at the beginning of a new year. I’m looking forward to reading more of your guys’ posts!
Great post. I enjoyed the bit about doing what you love – I’m at a bit of career crossroads and definitely need to give this some thought!
Happy New Year to you both. Let’s hope for a better & more positive year.
I love the goals you have set yourself. I’ve decided I’ll start my goals tomorrow as Cobra Kai came out onto Netflix today (oops ahah). But my goals are to get into exercise more, getting organised and more continual with my blogging and to finally pass my driving test (eek). X
http://www.nadinealex.blogspot.com
Happy New Year! I promised myself that in the New Year I would slow down a bit. Because in 2020 the world slowed down and I, unfortunately, did not.
Happy new year to the both of you! Financial responsibility is a big one that I’m trying to work on right now! I could have done so much more with my money in 2020 but I’ve never been good with money.
I’m so excited to see what comes for you this year! X
Being present is so important and I love that you mentioned that in your goals! I think with technology now it’s becoming way too easy for everyone to be consumed by tech in social situations. Taking the time to give someone or something your full attention is so important and definitely appreciated x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
I love early January; dreams are being made and plans hatched. So many people are starting the year off on an aspiring foot. I look forward to seeing where your collaborative writing takes you!
I connect with what you say about doing what you love. Passion is one of the things that helps me move forward. Health is wealth is true indeed; I do enjoy a sweet indulge once in a while, though. Everything is balance.
Happy new year to both of you! May the words flow.
Great themes/affirmations to start the year off with
These are all great points. This year I want to focus more on being present and living in the moment. I want to be able to take distractions away and live to the fullest. I also want to build myself and become a better version of myself and I want to give zero attention to shitty people. Change is instant but results take time and this year, I want to put in as much effort as is needed to achieve my goals.
Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour
Happy New Year !! These are such great points
http://www.fruityandpassion.com/2020/12/starting-year-in-diamonds.html#more
Lovely post and Happy New Year!
These are all great points. The one that hits home for me the most, however, is the idea of doing something you love. I have been through a couple of different careers now before deciding to work from home as a digital marketer, blogger and freelance writer. This year, when the world was suddenly turned upside down, I had more time than ever to dedicate to those efforts. What did I discover? I have a true passion for what I’m doing! While I saw friends and family complaining that they had nothing to do besides working from home and spending time with their families, I was excited about it – taking new courses, learning new techniques and more. I couldn’t be happier that I took that chance on myself and left the corporate world.
Happy new year! We definitely need to focus on health and recover and stay safe.
Happy New Year, Nancy and Mario! 🙂 I love this list and very much resonate with each one. Being Present indeed is important, and something I continuously work on. Sometimes the best moments don’t need to be documented! I also agree on financial responsibility. I think being in quarantine has allowed us to check on where our money really goes and how we can handle them better, and I’m looking forward to carrying over this good habit for this year. Thank you for sharing with us!
Anna Jo / http://helloannajo.blogspot.com
Awesome tips, definitely being healthy is the first step enjoying and doing what you love..
Happy new year Nancy and Mario! Those are great lessons you’ve learned through the pandemic. I’ve learned some similar ones about being present, slowing down, dedicating time to passion projects, and also that I need to diversify my income because tourism no longer has the job security that it used to. I look forward to seeing how this new blog develops!
Yay! How exciting! I agree with all of these and have similar goals. Here’s to an amazing 2021!
Happy New Year 🎉
These are some really good things to do. For me it’s being present and doing more of what I love. Good luck with your goals.
Happy new year to you both! I love reflecting and setting goals like this and I love the motivation you both have!
I LOVE your blog! Can’t wait to see what you come out with in 2021!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Happy New Year! I think 2020 made a lot of us more appreciative of the simple things. Health, being present around loved ones etc are all things that are easy to take for granted. I’m glad you guys are settling into the new blog, good luck growing it this year! ❤
Sounds like you have had a great year and learned a lot. I am wishing you all the best for 2021 too!
Happy New Year to you both! I hope you two have an amazing year! I totally agree with these points and I am definitely going to try and implement them into my lifestyle this year.
Happy New Year to you both! And I love all the positivity in this post. It’s so important to try and find a job you love, bearing in mind all the time we spend at work. And yes to health is wealth too, something we should all bear in mind 🙂
I sometimes struggle with being present, not because of devices or social media but b/c of stress and worry. I am someone with chronic health problems so to the lucky folks that are healthy I really hope it is fully appreciated and I do believe in doing what you love but not so much for a living it depends. But with todays technology anyone can have a creative hobby. And Happy New Year!!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
This is such a great post and the timing is perfect! Start of the year to really pause and put things into perspective. I love it!
Health is indeed wealth, but I think thay sometimes society is too focused on just the physical aspect of health. Mental health is just as important as physical health, so we have to also nourish ourselves mentally and emotionally. Thanks so much for sharing these great points!
Happy New Year to you both!
These are some fantastic goals for the year. Being present and looking after my health are two things I want to focus on too. I wish you every success with what you want to achieve x
You are so right about the financial savings during lockdown. I didn’t realise how much money I was spending a month commuting to work, or on lunches when I forgot to bring some from home, until I was at home all the time. The travel was obviously essential to get in to the office, but I didn’t notice how much money I was throwing away on lunch just because I was maybe too lazy to put something together the night before. Wishing you all the best for 2021!
These goals are fab! It’s so important to focus on being present more and looking after your finances – it’s definitely something I’m trying to work on xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Great post! Happy new year!
xx- Nina
Happy New Year! Great post, and I definitely agree that health is wealth.
I really enjoyed this post! My biggest one for 2021 is my health, especially my diet. And I love sushi!! Thank you for sharing this ❤️
Happy New Year! These are some goals. Being present in the moment is one of my goals too.
Happy New Year! Nice post, and some valuable thoughts. Also congrats on being promoted!
These are really great and realistic goals – I particularly love the being present goal!
Really enjoyed reading this, always great to see what people’s thoughts are for the year ahead. Being present and conscious of making healthy choices is so important, especially these days when we have distractions and temptations at every turn. All the best for the year ahead, I’m sure it will be a great one!
Happy New Year to you both – excited to see what the next year brings for your blog!
Tash – A Girl with a View
I absolutely agree with everything you said, particularly health is wealth, and appreciate all your thoughts. I wish you both a Happy New Year filled with health and happiness!
Doing what you love is so important! I love this post, Happy New Year x
These are great goals for the new year! We hope that you are able to achieve all of your goals in 2021. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Great goals! I am trying to be more present in my own life. It can be challenging to not let the past or future overwhelm you.
I wish you all the success and happiness for New Year!!
The part about “Health is Wealth” is a big part to me. Even as a financial blogger, health is something I need to take seriously and I’m looking to improve in that area in 2021 for sure. Good luck!
Being present is a biggie. I have struggled with online shopping so this is a good reminder for me, to cut back! Thanks for the great list.
Such positive vibes! Great read.
These are all great areas to focus on in 2021! I especially connect with the first one, “Being Present”. I know how much better I feel mentally and physically when I am able to step outside of myself and be truly present with the world around me. Great tips and I wish you the best in the upcoming year! xoxo
I definitely have some similar goals for the New Year. I plan to eat a lot healthier and stop myself from going out to eat and have food that I have in the house.
Happy New Year Nancy & Mario!
Health is truly wealth. Oh…sushi roll sounds good. I need to learn how to make healthier meals too. It’s good that you were able to talk to a financial advisor. Good luck with all your goals this 2021. Cheers!
Wish you guys a Happy and Healthy New Year! Love your goals! Living at the moment is my biggest takeaway from the year 2020 and that’s what I would like to practice going forward!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Happy new year! 🙂
Sounds like you have great intentions for the new year ahead! Seeing a financial adviser is so important too, especially when you are luck enough to keep your job with everything going on. We have had regular meetings with our financial adviser for a few years now, when we were looking for a new house to buy and trying to make the decision to sell or rent our old house. It’s a helpful person to know!
Hope 2021 is off to a good start for you so far 🙂
Happy new year Nancy & Mario!!! 🙂
Hope you had an amazing start in 2021 and that this year will bring you lots of happy moments <3
have a great day,
Tiziana
http://www.tizianaolbrich.de
Happy new year, guys! I’m definitely trying to be more financially savvy this year (and all years moving forward!). Looking forward to seeing more of your content 🙂
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
I hate waiting for the results of my efforts, but you’re right, it takes time once you have decided to make a change.
Good luck with 2021 🙂
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
These are great areas to focus on. Although the last year has been terrible, it has put a lot of things in perspective for me, and made me realize what I want from life.
Happy New year ! I wish you all the best for this new year.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
I think we all learned to appreciate our health and loved ones more in this past year. And also start thriving to do more of what we love since we saw nothing comes for granted.
LackaDaisy
Happy New Year, Mario & Nancy! It sounds like you are doing things right. Congratulations on the co-creation of your new blog, Modern Minimalists! I look forward to following your progress.
I’m with you. It really is so much fun re-creating restaurant dishes at home. Plus it’s a great way to save money and manage portion sizes better!
A very happy new year to you both!
I am also making the effort to eat more home-cooked healthy meals this year, and also being more present and staying off my devices more. It’s not gonna be easy, but nothing that’s worth it tends to be!
Here’s to a better 2021!
These are some great things to focus on and achieve this year. It is great that co writing and co editing is working so well for you both. I look forward to reading more of your content. Happy New Year to you both.
Happy 2021 to you guys! I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Happy new year to you both! I’m looking forward to seeing what you both do on the blog. I know you’ve only just begun with this new joint blog, but I’ve already enjoyed reading all the posts so far. You’re so right about doing what you love! I’m not too much of a fan of my current day job so this year I’m going to really try and get to where I want to be in life. I’m also going to try and not be so hard on myself if I don’t achieve everything though as I want to try and be realistic. xx
LOVED this post! I especially love the first one: being present. this is always a great reminder especially because i work on social media a lot. it’s important to look up for the phone.
Health is a big one for me too. I got diagnosed with endo last year so I am hoping following a clean diet will give me less flare ups. HNY to you.
Such a good idea to start a new blog together
And the content looks amazing so far 🙂
I enjoyed your previous blog and will follow on this one
Happy NY
Love,
Angela
I love what you mention! So many important lessons on how to change our lifestyle for the best.
I wish you a wonderful 2021.
Lindifique
Happy new year! This is a great post. I am concentrating on being more present too and looking after my health! Hope the year is a good one for you both 😊 xx
Happy new year! I love reflecting on my year at the end and you’ve given me lots to think about! I definitely need to make more time for the things I love, thanks for sharing! Xx
Happy New Year! 🙂