So here we are, 2021, the promised land. After one of the most unprecended years in multiple generations 2020 was over and the frost covered morning of 2021 began.
New years, in my humble view should always contain reflection. To look back over the year and find moments to be grateful for, lessons to learn and see how much growth has taken place. I saw a meme saying if you survived 2020 then that is a successful year. With a cold vodka in hand, I reflected on New Years Eve about our year and the rollercoaster. One thing became apparent “I don’t want to just survive, I want to thrive!”.
The tone of this blog is going to be one of positivity, I may reference or predict points, some may seem like negative aspects but that is no indication of this positivity train. So 2021, what does it hold?. Well from the unpredictability of last year it will be beneficial to be fluid. If last year gave us a lesson it was to appreciate and not to count on future plans. That in itself has given us all a quality of living in the present. If you are looking in the past, you can’t move forward. If you look too far into the future, you do not see what is in front of you. BUT if you are in the present you can adapt based on lessons from the past and craft your future. This is an amazing trait for us all to have. To be totally transparent, the lesson above was from an episode of SAVED BY THE BELL, but still is relevant. That lesson can ground us when we should be in the moment, but as we all do, we focus or worry on something that can wait till later. Playtime with my sons is so much better for all of us when I am present in that moment, conversations with the Mrs are more focused as the phone is put down (I actually listen) and dinner time is a joy. Now don’t get this wrong we are not the fucking Waltons, the boys are watching tv or Youtube, their food is shovelled in, the youngest is still a fussy eater and the Mrs is watching something “cakey” on her phone but to me its perfect. There is perfection in imperfection and to stop and watch that (be present) makes me a lot happier.
Most new years resolutions fail by February, this is mainly due to people not developing habits, not having a big enough reason WHY, or not changing their mindset. If you want to do something, don’t wait. You can do it any day, if you really want to start then START. If have began a “resolution” then keep with it, read about habits and have the appropriate mindset. Remember your brain picks up on stimulus around you, GOOD OR BAD, so train your brain. Don’t say “I want to lose weight”, say “I’m a healthy eater” or “I am a morning runner” . Learning to say “I AM” can change you brains reticular activating system which helps you see the triggers that promote personal growth. Be warned it works the other way also, if you say “I am fat”, “I am lazy” or “I am a loser” , then your amazing brain will find triggers to reinforce that. Its your choice people but “I AM POSITIVE”.
On reflecting, it seems I am best in the mornings. LESS DESTRACTABLE. This seemed to be a beneficial concept, so after a little research on morning brain patterns (whenever I say research, its because it sounds more professional, than watched Youtube videos) I discovered you operate on a different brain wave early hours. This helps you take in more knowledge and why people like Jeff Bezos get up early. Now instead of staying up watching the same comedy videos or wrestling documentaries, its an earlier bedtime. The alarm goes off at 5am, it gives chance for a decent meditation, chapter of a book, (write the occassional blog), hot cup of coffee and most importantly I can plan the day out without distraction. If you give yourself a list to do, the brain gives you a hit of endorphins when you cross a job off, you like endorphins so shit gets done. Another big benefit of this is if you have got your shit together and are organised by the time your kids get up, then you can enjoy spending time with them in the morning.
Starting a day positive is important, research shows that the mindset of the first 20 minutes of your day guides the rest of it. So if you wake up anxious and don’t settle yourself the rest of the day will be full of anxiety and un rest. A positive mindset is imperative to growth. For those of you who think 2021 will be a bed of roses compared to 2020, you are unprepared for this year. In many ways this year on a global scale, could be worse but that does not mean that it cant be an amazing year for you. I have a very talented friend who is an illustrator, her lockdown hustle has given her a chance to design her own style, her own work and has increased her self confidence as a result. She is now sending orders all over the UK and abroad. (moon.hollow.design, find her on Etsy and Instagram) . She has real momentum going into 2021 and it could be a fantastic year because she got some hustle.
Just because the world stops doesn’t mean you have to, the politicians are always going to fuck some things up, so learn to hustle, grind and realise its on you. If I fail this year, then its on ME. Of course the variables could be massive, who knows what is around the corner but as a business owner, its on me to adapt and stay fluid. We are very likely to experience a global recession, the vaccination will be rolled out but will take time (at 1 million a week we are still over a year), civil unrest will keep parts of the world rioting, politicians will make poor choices that lead to a detached population, a hospitality sector that needs to rise like a phoenix and we will all go a bit more green. That is how I see 2021 going but that does not stop the positivity train, oh no. If that is what we have to deal with so be it, as Frank Sinatra said “that’s life”. With that in mind what does 2021 hold for Food Anarchy?
The goals have been playing on my mind for a bit, my mind is firing ideas constantly and it is exciting. This is the problem, I want to do it all so as we speak, I have done none. That’s right Fuck All. It makes sense in my head to finish a few jobs from last year, for instance the kitchen before moving on, so technically I am already behind. Also I need to prioritise these ideas for at the moment the are like a group of bodybuilders trying to get through one door, nothing is getting through. So in no particular order the ideas and goals are as follows
- Pop up restaurant nights
- expanding the ready to warm kits to include fine dining
- THE VAN, getting the final issues finished and launching Tallulah
- YouTube videos, tutorials in cooking basics
- Summer BBQ kits, an extension of last year
- Getting a unit to work from, store the van and grow
- Look towards a cafe, retail property is about to plummet so could be the perfect storm
- Increase blogging, so not just opinions but maybe some recipes etc.
- Food Anarchy Cookbook
As you see, its all positive BABY, this is the mindset, whilst others are scared and fearful we are going “balls out”. Although my global view would not fill anyone with optimism at a micro level it can be amazing for you, if you let it. You can read the news about war, death and destruction but how will you feel? Or we can look to focus closer to home, in ourselves and those around us. The big changes start from small actions. 2021 will be an amazing year if we focus on personal growth, make sure this New Years Eve you are looking back thinking to yourself “I fucking nailed it!”.
happy eating
FOOD ANARCHY 