2018 is over and done with and now it's time to think ahead to the new year. I wasn't initially going to give myself a list of goals this year - not making goals or resolutions is perfectly okay - but I decided to do one relating to my blog instead.
Before we delve into the new goals, I wanna go over the ones I made for 2018 (if you want to read through the post, you can do so here!). I'd give myself an A+ for effort, but execution is going to have to be a B because I didn't really manage to get everything done that I aimed to.
Firstly, I did manage to learn to drive! My dad and cousins all grouped together to teach me to drive and even though I was so excited to give it a go, initially it was much harder than I thought. Reversing and parking are my biggest worries, but everything else to do with a car is now under my belt and I'm so happy about it! Driving gives me such a new sense of freedom and happiness and I can't wait until I can buy my own car!
Secondly, I also managed to learn a new language. I went from learning Korean to Chinese and now that I'm studying in China, I have no choice but to learn Chinese! Chinese is such a dynamic language that has really beautiful words and figuring out how they all connect together is so much fun! I'll be studying Chinese for the next 6 months, which is perfect time for my skills to grow.
I also managed to fulfill my goal of being more present. From meditation to practising daily gratitude, I think I was okay in this area and I've seen some real improvements like being calmer in stressful situations. Definitely something to carry into 2019.
Unfortunately, I didn't reach my goal of reading 12 books last year. Towards the end, things got real stressful what with moving and starting school, but I'm so proud of what I did manage. 9 books isn't too shabby for someone who didn't read in the first place.
Being healthy was great for the first half of 2018 but by the end, again, I didn't do too well. This is something I want to turn around this year.
Finally, I did managed to grow my blog and I even managed to work with some brands! My numbers definitely aren't as big as other bloggers out there, but for me and what I envisioned for my blog, I'm happy and that's all that counts.
And now for 2019!
INCREASE TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING
In one year, I managed to reach 1000+ followers on my Twitter and 970+ on my Instagram, which is something I never thought I'd be able to say. I'm so grateful for all of you who decided to click on the follow button, it means so much to me!
Unfortunately for me, I had to start using a VPN once I moved to China, so my following has now decreased. I was even locked out of my Twitter account because of it, and so I had to make a new one (check that out here, and my Insta over here). This year I want to double my following from last year, so wish me luck!
GET BACK TO A SCHEDULE
I used to post 3 times a week and it worked for me until we moved to Zambia. Then I was lucky if I posted even once a month. Now, I want to get back to a 3 day a week schedule. This winter break is the perfect opportunity for me to write as many posts as possible and once school starts I won't be stressed out about what to post!
IMOROVE MY PHOTOGRAPHY
90% of the photos I use on this blog are stock photos, and I'm not ashamed of it; I want the images I use to be beautiful and professional and I currently can't mange that with my smartphone. That's why when I use photos, 99% of those come from Kaboompics (thank you!).
All that being said, I really want my photography skills to improve so I can proudly show them off, but until then, I'll be using stock imagery.
Those are my goals for this year! Only 3 but the smaller they are, the easier it'll be to get cracking on them. Some goals obviously go without saying, like working with more brands and increasing my page views, but these 3 are doing to be the main focus until December 2019.
I hope all of you achieve everything you set out to and I'll see you in the next one!
Photos: Unsplash
