Milestone Reflection: Battling Breast Cancer and Setting Goals for the Future

Hello friends… Wow, what a year I have had. This past year my milestone age didn’t really sink in with all of what that means. I’ve had a singularity of focus – battling breast cancer. On this last day of this year, I’m feeling like time is catching up with me.

Usually when I hit milestones, I self-evaluate and reflect. How am I measuring up to my goals and what I want to achieve. With a bit of anxiety, I ask myself, how did I get here?

What’s Next

For my next trip around the sun, I’ve set some goals and aspirations. Setting goals is a personal journey, but here are some ideas to consider for your next milestones:

• Next Year:
• Focus on health: Start a new exercise routine or refine your diet. This is number one for me as I’m still struggling with fatigue, pain and numbness in my surgical sites, neuropathy in my hands and feet, and chemo brain. I’m incredibly deconditioned from treatment and struggle with balance and walking up and down steps.
  • continuing to follow my oncologist and other doctors’ treatment plans
  • participate in additional suggested therapies, such as acupuncture and support groups as suggested, community matters in getting and staying healthy
  • get the rest I need when I need it – not over scheduling myself
  • return to my yoga group
  • join a local club to swim, exercise, and socialize
  • continue to eat healthy
• Learn a new skill: Whether it’s a language, instrument, or craft.
  • I haven’t executed this yet so it’s a good goal for next year, since this year has been about getting through treatment and returning to work in April.
  • I know I previously posted about learning to play the cello. I haven’t started that and may change direction.
• Travel to a place you’ve never been before. This has been my goal every year for the past six years. Travel energizes me in seeing new places, meeting new people, and exploring new ideas. I recommend it even on the cheapest of budgets, it can be done.
• Next Five Years:
• Financial stability: Work towards saving a specific amount for retirement. This has been my long goal since I was financially devastated in my divorce in 2010 starting over with nothing. Make the targets and eek away at them.
  • paying off my student loans this year
  • paying down my mortgage (remaining debt free except for mortgage)
  • reaching mid six figures in my retirement accounts
• Strengthen relationships: Reconnect with old friends and nurture new friendships.
  • making regular time to see friends
  • travel with friends
• Give back: Volunteer or start a community project.
  • return to participating in the community projects through work
  • pay it forward to the newly diagnosed (breast cancer)
• Next Ten Years:
• Legacy projects: Write a book, start a blog, or document your life experiences. (I’m already working on these things. Remember this is the long game.)
• Mentorship: Share your knowledge by mentoring someone in your field of expertise. (I’m mentoring my niece, Sarah, on genealogy to hand off the family history to her when I’m gone.)
• Adventure: Plan a grand adventure or challenge, like visiting all the national parks or learning to sail. (I started this at the beginning of the pandemic. I want to go to many places that I have never been before.)

Remember, the most important thing is that your goals resonate with you and bring you joy and fulfillment. Happy planning! 🎉

What are your goals and plans? Share in the comments

#GenX #GenXAging #milestones #emptynestlife #emptynest #breastcancer #breastcancerjourney #goals #aspirations #whatsnext