First Check-In on New Year’s Goals

I promised a check-in on my New Year’s goals, and boy has it been revealing. I think everyone who sets resolutions should do a check-in. Really sitting down and writing about my goals has helped me see what is most important to me and where I’d like to improve. For example, I’ve actually made some strides toward becoming a morning person and have made ZERO strides toward practicing my French.

I’ve rated my progress on my goals from a scale of 0-5. Zero being “has put no effort into this goal whatsoever,” and five being “has put in the most effort and is making real progress.” Let me know your thoughts in the comments because I’m excited to hear what you guys think about my efforts (or lack thereof)! And of course, I’ll do a check in mid-year to see how I’m keeping up.

BLOG GOALS

• Plan my content ahead of time – Does filling out a content calendar for three posts and then never opening it again, count? I think the hardest thing with this goal is the amount of time that it takes to back-plan vs. the amount of time it takes to come up with a half-baked idea in my head and immediately putting it into effect. Now that I have a little spare time, this is a goal I’d like to put more effort into. Rating: 2

• Monetize my blog – I’ve made some strides in researching what it takes to monetize, and I’m still a ways from that. But I am slowly starting to work with brands, which eventually could lead to this blog functioning as an actual business. There’s still much of the year to go! Rating: 3

INSTAGRAM GOALS

• Double my following – I don’t think this goal will be difficult to achieve in the remaining 10 months of the year, but I do think my focus is shifting a bit. Instagram’s algorithm has made it SO HARD for bloggers to get their content seen, and I think eventually brands are going to move away from the platform. I’m also feeling less inspired by what I see. It’s all looking the same, and I feel like I’m contributing to that. I’d like to put more focus and time into my blog, since that’s under my total control, and I can grow it to be whatever I want it to be. Rating: 4
• Further develop my content – I’m definitely making strides toward this one. I like creating beautiful photos and interesting images, and I don’t want to stop that. I’m still trying to find my aesthetic and a style that is easily identifiable as mine. Rating: 4.5

STYLE GOAL

• Wear more of what makes me happy – I’m already being better about this (see my pink kimono with fur cuffs). I’m now on liketoknow.it, where you can shop my Instagram, and am now I’m also thinking within more business parameters. At the same time, I also have to stay true to myself and the fact that I can’t be buying new clothes every time I write a blog post so I can link a new item for someone to buy. Truth is that I have a lot of pieces that have been in my closet for years, and I still love. So that’s something I need to keep in mind going through the rest of the year. Rating: 5

PERSONAL GROWTH GOALS

• Read more often – I’m doing better here, but I can do more for sure. I think one of the difficulties is that I purchased a book on the Kindle app on my phone, and I’m having a much harder time reading it. Anyone else have this issue? I think it makes it harder to focus with the blue light and with the temptation to open Instagram every time I unlock my phone. Rating: 2.5
• Practice my French – So far I have practiced ZERO French. So that’s where this goal is at. I’m not willing to give up on it yet, though. After all, I’m currently “funemployed,” so in theory I’ll have more time for this… Rating: 0
• Become a morning person – To be honest, this is my loftiest goal, and I’m actually very proud of how it’s going. No, I’m not getting up at 6 AM every morning, sorry. But I have been making a conscious effort to get up and give myself an hour or so to blog or workout before work.  And now that I’m not heading off to work at 9, I’m still getting up before 8 to ensure I can get everything into my day (with no naps!) Rating: 5

HEALTH & FITNESS GOALS

• Eat better – Eh…I can’t really say if I’ve been particularly good or bad with this one. I can’t pass up getting a stroopwaffle when I take friends around town. But summer is approaching (and our trip to Morocco), so it’s time to really get it into gear and stop making excuses. Would you guys be interested in reading about this? Rating: 2.5
• Get really fit by summer – As I write this post there’s a little voice in the back of my head stressing that I need to go to the gym, even though I don’t want to. Now that work at 72 has wrapped up, I have the time and no more excuses to not get there. Another one I’m curious if you’d like to read about? Rating: 2

CAREER GOALS

• Find a job – Still working on this one, but it has only been two days since I wrapped up at 72andsunny. It was heartbreaking to leave on Friday, but I’m keeping my chin up. I’ve had a few interviews, and I really think it’ll all be down to timing. Things tend to move quickly in advertising, so I’m sure once someone needs an account person, it’ll happen fast. Now I just have to try and enjoy spending time on my personal passions in the meantime. Rating: 4.5

TRAVEL GOAL

• Check more places off my list – I haven’t travelled yet, since my initial goals post, but I have booked some trips. Next weekend we head to Belgium to celebrate Jon’s birthday, and then I meet one of my best friend’s in Zurich. We’ve also booked Morocco as my birthday trip, but it won’t be happening until May. Jon and I would love to do Thailand this summer, and perhaps Greece. To be honest, the list is pretty endless, so I’m not worried about this goal. Rating: 5

RANDOM & EASILY ATTAINABLE GOAL

• Sabre a bottle of champagne – Weirdly haven’t done this yet, but also not the least bit stressed about making it happen in the next 10 months. Rating: 0

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Circle of Trust scarf | J. Crew Cocoon coat | J. Crew Factory toothpick jeans | Similar pink sunglasses here and here