People seem to be as divided about setting resolutions and goals as they are whether Yorkshire puddings should be on Christmas dinner or not- but being the kind of gal that has Yorkies with her turkey (I know, sorry), I’ve decided to pop down some little hopes and goals for the year ahead onto paper, or, post…
Although I know it totally doesn’t work for everyone (heck, it doesn’t always work for me), last year on a selection of dog eared post-it notes, I wrote down a few things I wanted to achieve by the time the year was over- some I managed, some I didn’t. Looking back on those I didn’t complete didn’t make me feel like I’d underachieved, but checking back on them throughout the year felt like a nice little driving force for pushing myself towards some of the things I wanted to tick off, or at least make progress towards- and this year I wanted to do the same, as a reminder if nothing else!
My goals have definitely evolved and become more realistic year on year too- and I think sometimes looking back, even without realising, can show how far you’ve come. This time last year I was determined to hit 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, and until just over halfway into the year I started feeling a bit down that I hadn’t quite managed it. Looking back- I’ve realised that in hindsight, setting numerical targets ain’t always the be all and end all. Last year I created some of the content on YouTube I’m most proud of, started finding my place on the platform, grew some loyal viewers- and have gone into a new year feeling more motivated than I ever have- showing that, hey, maybe if you don’t even ‘complete’ a target, you can learn something important from it anyway.
So maybe, just sometimes writing down hopes and dreams (even if that hope is just making it out of your PJs) is just what the doctor ordered, and I certainly try and see them as the start of a fresh term, and a few small pockets of opportunity if nothing else.
A girl can dream, right?
Get Back Behind The Wheel
One of the things I regret the most is not getting straight behind the wheel after I passed my test. Even typing that makes me cross at myself, as in general- I’m somebody who knows what’s good for them and I was SO determined to not let fear, anxiety or a lack of confidence stop me- and I only went and left it, COME ON WOMAN. Despite everyone (and their cousins dogs) telling me to ‘just give it a go’, I’m still mastering the confidence, and although it only took a couple of ill timed stalls (read: at the front of a set of traffic lights)- this year I don’t want to write a road trip off again. It may only be a ten minute drive to the gym, but if I can finally put the pedal to the metal (or at least maintain a sensible 30mph) I’ll be a happy girl.
Be A Routine Queen
Routine is something I totally thrive from having, and despite this- it’s something I find most difficult to maintain. Towards the end of last year I’d almost completely fallen off of the home-cooking and life admin wagon- leaving a very patient Joe doing most evening meals, while I rushed through unanswered emails and last minute things I hadn’t managed to fit in during the day. Perhaps it’s a time management thing, but this year I’m trying to plan my days and weeks better so that weekends and evenings at home are just that- time to switch off, make time for one another and enjoy the things that don’t involve work and appreciate what matters most.
Ditching The ‘C’ Word
Not that one- you cheeky bunch! But, on the topic of work comes numbers, comparison and self doubt- three things I’m aiming to shake out of my career catalogue and wash out of my hurrr for good. Being in a job that’s so heavily defined by the figures next to your name can sometimes mean you spend more time worrying about them than actually getting anything done- with the same going for what other people are doing too. Having written this blog for 8 years this year, it’s so easy to feel a little bit uncool when lots of ~bright young things~ are popping up and seemingly doing something more exciting (ain’t that the perils of the ‘net). But, as Jen so eloquently put in her post about being an OG Blogger (nana Liv had to Google too, dw), ‘Do you think a Doctor gets to eight years into their career and thinks they can’t do it anymore? No, they actually are more likely to say I have ‘X years’ experience, and that’s exactly how anyone feeling like an OG blogger should take it’- YOU GOT THIS LIV, remember you know what you’re doing. Most of the time, anyway.
Become Nick Knowles (…just without the hit single or television show)
Another thing I really want to tick off this year is to finish decorating our spare room and bedroom. Since moving in we haven’t really had a moment to sit down and work out how we’d like either to really look, but by starting with the office I’m hoping to make a bit of a before and after project a go go this month. We’ve already got quotes from a carpenter and ordered some paint samples so maybe this’ll be the year I really start honing in on my DIY potential. Maybe.
Plan Our Wedding
Having moved our wedding to 2019 to allow a little more time for planning and saving, I’m really excited to sit down and get thinking about our big day. Not a goal as such- more something I need to do, but I’m endlessly excited about planning every out every little detail and finally trying on some dresses- starting with a little visit this weekend! I’ve got plenty of post ideas planned too, so let me know if wedding content is your bag and I’ll take note.
What are you hopes for the year ahead? I also just remembered I did this 25 before 25 list, so if I ever needed any 6 month resolutions there’s that too! Although there’s definitely a few that I’ve dropped with age- strawberry picking and DJ-ing aren’t perhaps as high up on my ambitions list as they once were)…
x
26 Comments
Jasmine
January 8, 2018 at 7:26 pmLOVED this post, Liv. So refreshing and generally a great read. I’m totally loving your content at the moment on here, YT and Instagram, numbers are definitely not everything!
Can’t wait to see what exciting content you bring to 2018!
Jasmine xx
http://www.jasminehardingmakeup.com
Elizabeth
January 12, 2018 at 5:56 pmWhat a great blog, Let’s see what 2018 brings us!!
Elizabeth xx
Emily | patternedpetals
January 8, 2018 at 7:42 pmYou are definitely a cool blogger!! You have a fab blog and YouTube so you shouldn’t be comparing yourself! I know it’s easier said than done! Love reading everything you write so Wedding blogs are a yes from me ?
Sneha
January 8, 2018 at 7:49 pmLovely post 🙂 I actually only discovered you this year through your YouTube channel and you have very quickly become one of my favourite bloggers. Well done for getting to this point, and I hope you have a great 2018!
Sneha | lifewithsneha.com
5ft Life
January 8, 2018 at 8:12 pmGreat post, I’ve always loved your writing. You write so well ??
Hayley xx
http://www.5ftlife.co.uk
Lauren
January 8, 2018 at 8:35 pmI totally understand the confidence thing, it took me ages to get back to driving once I’d passed (and had to drive everyone to Devon!) but you do become more of a driver on your own, you know how you like to cruise and you get a new type of confidence with it all. Also, yes to better routine – I really need to get my sh*t together, simple as!
Lauren x
Britton Loves | Cruelty-Free/Vegan Beauty • Lifestyle • Photography
Matt
January 8, 2018 at 9:32 pmAwesome post i’m so excited for what 2018 will bring!
Elisha-Mae
January 8, 2018 at 9:33 pmLovely post Olivia – totally relatable and inspiring. Also, these photos are so darling – major pyjama envy.
Elisha-Mae | http://www.elisha-mae.co.uk
Shloka
January 8, 2018 at 10:48 pmI know you can do it Olivia! You will reach all your goals for sure!
x
Shloka
http://www.thesilksneaker.com
Laura Mitbrodt
January 9, 2018 at 8:08 amThese are all great goals, I hope you get back behind the wheel soon
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Liinu
January 9, 2018 at 10:44 amI love you! Your writing is very good! I also like your aesthetic, it is amazing.
Keep going girl!
Love, Liinu x
Neeltje | Thoughts in Style
January 9, 2018 at 11:47 amI loved reading this! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Frances
January 9, 2018 at 12:36 pmLove this Liv! I totally get the driving thing, but i’ve not even taken my first lesson yet but I keep putting it off, I’ve really got to just do it! xx
Frances Kayleigh | Fashion & Lifestyle
Mariya
January 9, 2018 at 12:50 pmI got my driving license 2 years ago, haven’t driven since then. Now I’m scared, so be sure to get behind that wheel asap!
x Mariya
http://www.brunetteondemand.com
Kayleigh
January 9, 2018 at 1:32 pmLove this list of goals and ambitions! Ditching comparison is definitely on my list for this year as last year I got so caught up in comparing myself to others and feeling self-doubt, so I definitely want to work on keeping away from falling into that trap. Lovely post x
Kayleigh | http://www.anenthusiasmfor.co.uk
Ana
January 9, 2018 at 2:10 pmI adore you! One of my favorites! 🙂
https://fine-alchemy.blogspot.com
Joanne
January 9, 2018 at 3:42 pmAhhh I can only imagine how stunning your wedding is going to be. Can’t wait to see the details or updates! Best of luck for all the planning going down this year, and moving it to have more time saving is actually a brilliant idea, both of you.
Have a terrific week, Liv! <3
Joanne | With Risa: A Lifestyle Blog
Marissa Cox
January 9, 2018 at 4:03 pmThis is such a great post Liv! It seems the blogging world has been very anti resolutions and goals this year, but I am also a goal-orientated gal and like to set myself a few at the beginning of every year, if nothing more than to give myself some guidance and remind myself what I’m working for when the going gets tough! Also good luck with the driving, I totally understand the confidence – I used to drive my boyfriend’s rather large company car (sadly no more) on the other side of the road in Paris in between the beeping and tiny cobbled streets – although this kind of fills me with horror thinking about it now, I somehow managed it. Just to say, you can do it!! Take your time and practise, and the confidence will come.
And finally the dreaded ‘C’ word.. it’s something I think about again and again and have written about in my goals for this year. Sadly I think it’s something we will often do as we are operating in such a competitive industry (and it exists in every workplace for that matter!), but it’s also great when we talk about it as we realise we are not alone! Everyone feels it. Then we need to gently remind ourselves to step back into our own box, stop watching everyone else’s stories & numbers and keep our eyes on the prize! Eek this turned into long comment… but wishing you all the best for 2018 and in achieving you goals! xx
Sophie
January 9, 2018 at 4:25 pmLoved this – the photos are super cute – and can’t wait to see what 2018 brings you. I also ended the year with the boyfriend cooking every evening while I tried desperately to do everything I didn’t manage in the day, so routine is near the top of my list this year too. Good luck with the driving – I left it a while between passing my test and getting behind the wheel and it was SO nerve-wracking but so brilliant when I’d overcome it xxx
Sophie | Sophar So Good
Veronika Shchepetkina
January 9, 2018 at 5:09 pmLovely post! I adore your style, aesthetic, and music taste! I’m always inspired by your content whether it be your colorful retro outfits or fantastic music recommendations. Numbers are definitely not everything. After all, you are my favorite blogger and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Pretty sure I’ve watched every video you have posted in the last two years!
All the way from Montana, USA
Love,
Veronika 🙂
Anna nuttall
January 10, 2018 at 9:51 am*High Five* I’m glad I’m not the only one who adores a Yorkshire pudding on a turkey Christmas dinner. Can’t wait to see what 2018 bring you. Also, your dog is adorable. xx
claudia
January 10, 2018 at 10:54 amReally cute photos!
http://www.itsclaudiag.com
Zara
January 10, 2018 at 11:43 amAhh I need to get back into a solid routine as well, my December was so hectic too! Hope you have a fantastic 2018! x
Flo la vita
January 10, 2018 at 5:04 pmYou are without a doubt a v cool blogger. If I’m honest you are one one my favourites. Numbers don’t matter at all, its about how much effort you put in and wether or not the content you’re putting up is good – which it IS!!! Xx
http://www.flolavita.co.uk
Katie
January 10, 2018 at 5:07 pmIt’s so wonderful to read a goals post about being realistic and not always using numbers as a target – so often we can get caught up in figures, numbers and comparison, when really should be evaluating our own goals on our own terms… YOU GO GIRL!
Also with so many exciting project – renovations and wedding – you really should take the time to relish every moment of it. Believe me, having done the first one and being over halfway through the second, time so quickly runs away with you, that sometimes you forget to enjoy the process as well as the end result.
Looking forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for you Liv!
YZ Chan
January 11, 2018 at 1:13 pmAll of these are great goals! Can’t wait to see how you achieve them in 2018. x
http://www.yzwears.com