2018

Since I reflected back on 2017, I also want to share my goals, intentions and plans for 2018! At the top of my list is blogging more. I'd like to grow my following here and on my instagram, but more importantly I want to have something fulfilling and fun to do. I started a 9-5 job in August and I feel like all I ever really do is work these days. I had a moment where I was like what are my hobbies? What are my passions? What do I do? So blogging it is! I want to create quality content that people might enjoy but also that I just enjoy creating. So here goes.

Save money!

A very cliche goal but I consistently find myself spending my money on things that I don't need like clothes I only wear a handful of times, food I could cook myself and whatever's in the Target dollar section. I want to invest in more things and put away money for stuff I want rather than just blowing it instantly. Plus, I want to be less wasteful and stop buying crap I don't need. It's easy to get in the mindset of "eh, I spent 10 bucks on it, it's okay if I don't really like it" but I recently realized I had 4 different items I thought that about that I bought in the last week or so. That's $40! Time to start getting more responsible.

Be more active.

Another very cliche goal but I need it. I don't go to the gym or work out consistently but I have been walking to work since I started and it improves my mood so much. I also just this week started walking all the way from our downtown to our boardwalk which is about 2.5 miles there and back with my coworker and it's so rejuvenating for my day! I want to try to do more than just walk because my body needs it.

Read more

I can't even remember the last time I finished a book and I'm really ashamed to admit that. For the longest time my excuse was school and that I couldn't read for fun because I had to so much for school and I didn't have time and so on. But when I couldn't even get through more than a couple chapters on my entire 5 day trip to Mexico, I knew that excuse was enough. So I got some good new books for Christmas so I'm determined to read one book a month! Currently I'm reading Big Little Lies because I loved the show so much and wanted to see what the book was like. I also want to read Anna Faris' Unqualified and a book recommended by a friend called All the Light We Cannot See. I'm also gonna pick up A Book that Takes Time which my friend is reading!

Start learning Spanish

This one feels silly but I don't know any other languages and I'd really like to learn Spanish because I think it's so useful. When I was in Mexico the guy I was seeing had to talk to everyone because I didn't know the language and that was a bummer. I'm gonna try out Duolingo and see how that goes!

I think my biggest aspiration for 2018 is to travel more. Going to Puerto Vallarta made me want to go on more great trips like that and I feel like everyone I know has been all over the place, yet I haven't even explored my own backyard all that much.

Big Sur

I'm almost embarrassed by this one because it's not even 2 hours from me yet I've never been there. I know it's beautiful and I'd love to go hike or just spend the day there. I want my 2018 weekends to be full of daycations and adventures in my own area because I'm so close to so many great places.

Lake Tahoe

Another place that's not to far, yet I've never been! I want to go while it's still cold and maybe snowy. I've been looking at cute cabin Airbnbs and dreaming of a nice weekend with friends.

Philly

One of my best friends lives in Philadelphia and I'm going back this year. Last year I went on my first solo trip ever there and I can't wait to do it again. I haven't picked a date but I have every intention of going in the next couple of months!

New Orleans

This one is kind of random but my friend talked about going since before I graduated and I think it would be so fun to go! I went when I was younger, before I could understand why they sold necklaces with dicks on them, so something tells me that being older would make it more enjoyable. I'm hoping we go sometime in the fall!

Europe

This one's a big one. I've never been to Europe and I'm dying to go. I keep telling people I want to be in Europe for Christmas of 2018 and I think I'm serious?? Maybe if I just keep saying it, it'll happen. But for real, I'd love to be able to go later this year or early next year. I'm dreaming of Amsterdam, Ireland and Paris and also would love to go to the Christmas markets in Germany.

I find that when I feel sad or defeated or just down in general, it helps to map out things I have to look forward to. It helps me ground myself and realize bad days or moments don't have to last, and there's always something better coming. I have some fun stuff planned for 2018!

World Domination Summit

I don't even know how to describe this event but I'm excited! It's in Portland this June and it features speakers, meetups, and other crazy activities like breaking world records for stuff like the largest breakfast in bed or yoga sessions. My dads have gone the past couple of years and surprised us with tickets so I'm excited to go and see what it's like!

Philly

Talking about this doubly because I know I'm going at some point, I just haven't nailed down a date yet. I love the East Coast so much and I really want to go sometime before the end of March so that it's still snowing. I rarely get to be in the snow and I'll take any opportunity I can get.

Concerts

In April, I'm seeing my favorite dude, Brian Fallon! He's coming out with his second solo album and I bought my ticket almost instantly. His band The Gaslight Anthem has been on hiatus for a few years now but just recently announced that they're going on tour to perform their album The '59 Sound because it's 10 years old. When I heard that I could have cried. This band and Brian and their music mean the world to me and I will go wherever I need to so I can see them perform because I never have!

2017 was such a good year for me and I'm so excited to see what 2018 brings. I love my job, love my studio apartment and feel so comfortable with life right now. Here goes!