2019 Reflection & 2020 Goals for the New Year

Hi there, it’s been a minute. For me, 2019 started out strong. I had outlined a list of things I wanted to achieve for the year, and I was working hard to make sure I posted weekly on my blog. Then my life changed when I was asked to join the remodel team at Walmart. I had to leave the store in my hometown, and travel 45 minutes away to another store each day. I was working about 50 hours each week, and I was exhausted. Looking back, this was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but at the time it was the reason I let all my goals slip away.

I made some awesome friends while working on the remodel, because the remodel team was made up of people from different Walmart stores in surrounding cities. Together, we completed a project that seemed never-ending. 

Towards the end of the remodel, I started applying for new jobs in the public relations field. I knew that when it was over, I was ready to start a new job. After what seemed like forever, I finally landed a job in Indianapolis combining all my passions: writing, photography, videography and social media. I started my new job in September. 

The only issue was that I was driving a total of 3 hours to work and back home every day. I knew the Winter months were approaching and I was worried about making that drive in the snow. So, I started apartment hunting like crazy. With a combination of the money I had saved from the remodel working all that overtime, and the raise I got once I started my new job, I was able to find an apartment. 

I moved into my apartment in October. My boyfriend was able to move his job up here, so he moved in a few weeks after I did. My life has changed so much in just a few short months. I went from thinking I would never find a job with my degree, to finding one but also moving, all within such a short time frame. 

A few other highlights of 2019 were:

 ·     Going to Pokémon Go Fest with my boyfriend for the first time

·     Taking a mini road trip to the first ever Sad Summer Fest

·     A girl’s day spent at a Lazy River and Dave & Buster’s

·     Seeing the Jonas Brothers with a friend and my cousin 

·     Seeing State Champs in concert a handful of times (one show with Simple Plan!)

 Although 2019 definitely changed my life for the better, there was also a lot of sadness that came with it. We lost our two dogs who had been with us forever. I also lost my half-sister to a horrible car accident a few months back. It honestly still doesn’t seem real to me. These moments really made me reflect on my loved ones and how you should spend as much time with them as you can, because you may never know when it’ll be your last.

 I’d say 2019 left a lot of people with mixed emotions, but I’m ready to stay positive and keep moving forward in 2020.

2020 Goals

 This year, when coming up with my goals, I wanted to set goals that were realistic and measurable so I could track my progress. In the past, I’ve set generic goals like “prioritize my health” or “stop letting fear get in the way,” but I always fall off track because I don’t make my goals specific enough. That’s why I’m using SMART goals this year (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound). 

Here are my 2020 Goals:

·     Read 12 books (one book each month)

·     Exercise 3 times per week

·     Re-brand and re-launch my website

·     Complete Level 1 in all Japanese skills in Duolingo

·     Complete 30 things on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list

These are my 5 main goals to work on this year that will help me get to where I want to be in life. I have a few other smaller goals, but I wanted to keep them secret so they don’t spoil some of the surprises I have coming. 

I only met half of my reading goal last year, but I have more time on my hands now so I want to try to read at least one book a month. I know every year I try to make something health-related a priority, but I’ve started working out at home again recently so I just want to stick to a schedule so I don’t fall off track this time. 

I’ve wanted to re-do my website for some time now, but I kept putting it off and didn’t have the money or resources to do it at the time, so I’m finally going to make that happen this year (the sooner, the better). My boyfriend and I have been talking about wanting to go to Japan for a while now, but going to Japan and not knowing the Japanese language absolutely terrifies me. That’s why I’m going to work on completing at least Level 1 for all the skills in Duolingo this year. I’m not exactly sure when we’ll get the chance to go to Japan, but I at least want to spend this year planning and preparing for it! 

And last but not least, if you read my 101 Things in 1001 Days list that I started at the beginning of 2019, then you’ll be familiar with this goal. I think checking off 30 new things this year is doable, and will also put me in a good position to be able to (hopefully) complete the list come 2021. My next blog post will be an update on my list, since I haven’t done an update and I got a lot done last year! Be sure to keep an eye out for that blog post.

Well, that’s about it for my 2019 reflection and my goals for the New Year. I look forward to getting back in the habit of blogging regularly this year. I’m excited to see what new things 2020 brings!

 Comment below your goals for 2020 or what things you’re looking forward to this year.

Happy New Year!