happy new year!
Well 2019, what a year you were. Full of surprises, some good, some bad. I fully believe that everything happens for a reason as all the bad in my life always leads to good - so if 2019 wasn't a great year for you, bare that in mind and try and think positive thoughts. Last year Ru & I finally got a beautiful home of our own, I got a new car that I love, I turned 25, and had an amazing year work wise and financially. It meant that I was able to do so much to our house which I'm so grateful for as I never expected to get a house that was so freshly built, but also so bare so it needed a lot doing to turn it into a home. It's still a work in progress but I'm super happy with how much I've done in less than 6 months. It was just a year that really took me by surprise to be honest, I'm always so shocked when I get fab opportunities or look back at how far I've come, and of course I'm incredibly thankful for what life has given me. I think it's so important to be grateful for what you have, regardless of how little or insignificant it may seem compared to others.
I've grown and learned so much throughout the last 10 years, but now we have entered a brand new decade, full of potential and the unexpected. Who knows what life is going to throw my way next, but I'm excited to see! I feel like over the last couple of years, and last year in particular, I've really found myself and got to grips with adulthood a lot more, settled down into my life with Ru and I'm just really bloody happy to be honest. Today I'm going to look back on the goals that I set last year, see how much I've achieved in the last 12 months, and also create a new set of goals for the new year!
last years goals:
• Work on my blog
• Become better at pitching
• Be more organised
• Go on more adventures
• Say yes more often
So, did I achieve those goals... well, I've definitely worked on my blog and my content a lot within the last 12 months and feel like I've found my feet more when it comes to my style. I enjoy creating a mix of everything and I feel like what I do works well?! I'm excited to see where it takes me this time next year. I hardly did any pitching in 2019 which I know sounds awful but I guess I just got so busy with the opportunities that landed in my inbox that I didn't feel the need to do it as much. I do go through quiet periods though, like any other freelancer, so I need to work on this again!
My organisation hasn't improved much in terms of scheduling blog content in advance etc, I write a lot of to-do lists these days though and love ticking them off so that does keep me in check. I've also just invested in an amazing 2020 planner so watch this space! Go on more adventures? Absolutely smashed that one, I think I did 8 trips in total which I think is absolutely loads! I also said in my last years goals post and I quote; "I'd love to work with some new brands on some travel content, so maybe this will be the year!" and I only went and actually did. The email from Jet2 about a Christmas market trip to Prague blew my mind, what a way to end 2019. My last and final goal was to say yes more often, something I didn't do a whole lot of (it's hard as a single parent!) but I said yes to Prague and the anxiety of the thought of going abroad with Ru solo was real so I'm letting myself have that one. I said I'd give myself the push and I damn well did it!
now for some new ones...
I'm really not sure what my goals for this year are, I love seeing how far I've come when we enter a new year and I know there's always room to grow with everything in life. However, I just can't think of anything specific, so I'm going to set some little goals instead, things that I should do more or less of!
• slow down a little
The last few months have been an absolute whirlwind and Christmas was the first time where I had a couple of days just to breathe. I really need to work on giving myself more time off this year and forcing myself to relax on a weekend instead of thinking about what photos I need to shoot next or what deadlines I have coming up. I need to set aside my whole weekends just for Ru & family time. I used to love going out on walks in the country and (albeit it's been freezing) I've hardly done that at all since I've moved as I've been so occupied with sorting the house and working all the time. I need to get back to my old ways this year!
• stop focusing on numbers
This is a reallllly hard one when this blogging lark is my full time job, but I've basically not grown at all on instagram over the last year and it's hard when you see others gaining and you're just standing still. I know that it's not me or my content that's the problem (I hope so anyway!) as whenever anyone shares my account I always grow. It's simply the fact that instagram, as a platform, just doesn't allow your account to be seen these days. Well not everyones - some people grow like crazy! - but I think I'm speaking on behalf of most of us. I still have a gorgeous insta fam and good engagement for the most part, plus a lot of silent viewers so I'll take it. I know that my content is mostly still being seen by a good chunk of my followers and it's still loved, so that's what matters. Plus I create content because I want to, not because others want me to!
• think outside the box
I love it when I get creative with my photos and do something totally out of the ordinary, and it's something I really want to do more of this year. I tend to let work absorb me and then I don't have the motivation or energy to be as creative as I can be with my usual content if that makes sense? I love it when I get excited about an idea and I want to make sure that I want to have lots more of that excitement throughout 2020.
• revamp the kitchen
I only have a small kitchen/dining room but there's a lot of things I wanted to add when I moved in and have yet to find the budget for. I'm hoping to be able to add more furniture, storage and style it a bit this year so that I maybe actually *like* my kitchen for once haha! It's not that bad at all, it's just not really to my tastes. I bought my dining table and chairs in my first rental a couple of years ago but even those need replacing so hopefully I can put aside some money to make it much more warming and homely!
What were your achievements throughout 2019? Do you have any goals for this year?
