My Long-Term & Short-Term Goals for 2018

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is having a great start to the year and motivated to keep up with their goals so far. For me personally, 2018 is going to be the year of getting my life together and setting goals that I feel will benefit me to become the 23 year-old (later this year 24 year-old) I want to be.

Long-Term VS Short-Term Goals

I have two sets of goals: long-term and short-term. My long-term goals are ones I know will take all year to improve on and adapt to as a routine. It can start now and maintain throughout the year. However, these can also be ones to work on for many more years to come and throughout my entire life. My short-term goals can easily be accomplished and there isn’t an excuse to not get them completed within a year.

Long-Term Goals

Tip: When considering long-term goals, always evaluate where you are in your life and if this is where you want to be or if you’re happy where you are. This easily can start with a list of things you may want to change or accomplish.

Be Happy with My Career

One thing that can definitely be discouraging out of college is seeing people you graduated with landing big jobs and working towards living on their own. I myself got so frustrated at times with the job search, but I did realize everyone has their own path. 2017 wasn’t the year I was meant to get my first big career job, but 2018 could be it or even the next year or the year after that. Ultimately, I want 2018 to be the year I find something within my career that makes me happy. It may not be my big dream job, but it can be that job that allows me to do what I like, make money and feel like a real adult.

More Financially Independent

I’ve been working since I was in high school and after my freshman year of college, I was gaining a bit more financial independence. I didn’t need to rely on my mother as much anymore for a lot of things. Currently, I am financially okay and surviving, but my goal is to be 100% independent financially.

Healthy Mental and Physical State

I started my health journey last year, but I’m still not where I want to be and I know I can do better. This year I’m going to take the time to look into ways to better myself physically and mentally so I can be happy with my over all healthy state. Even if I achieve half of this goal, I know it can be done.

Travel

My goal is to travel not only in the U.S. but to different countries, especially ones that I’ve been dying to visit since I was a little girl. If I can at least travel to one place I’ve always wanted to go, I’ll be a very happy camper. I consider this long-term because I plan to travel my entire life and not just only the next few years.

Short-Term Goals

Tip: Think of simple things you’ve always wanted to do, but didn’t have time (or it just never worked out.) This can be as simple as wanting to eat at a specific restaurant or reading an entire book series.

Adopt a Cat

I love animals and recently my brother moved out and took the family cat, Theseus. While technically it’s his cat on paper, he was like my own baby. I miss the way he’d curl up in bed with me and greet me when I would come home. I miss his early morning cries for me to open my door so he can come and cuddle with me. I told my mom I couldn’t survive without a little companion around the apartment, so at some point this year I will adopt my own little fur baby.

Get First Tattoo

I’ve been wanting one for a couple of years now, but haven’t followed through with it yet. I just need to make the time and put in the effort to go for it. I want it to happen sometime this year, but who knows? I think when it comes to something as permanent as a tattoo, I rather take my time to confirm it’s what I want

Finish My Novel

My college Senior Thesis was a novel I had been working on for almost two years. Now I think the time has come for me to finish it and make it the novel I know it can be. Who knows? Maybe I can even go about getting it published.

These are certainly not all my goals, but just a few I wanted to share. Remember, setting goals is for you. Take goals at your own pace and remind yourself that you don’t need to accomplish them over night or even within one year. Goals are simply meant to guide and keep you focused throughout this crazy ride called life.

What are your goals for 2018?

XO

Mini Life Update + What I’ve Learned in 2017

Long time, no blog and I’m not going to apologize for it. One thing I think we all forget is that social media and blogs show only what people want you to see. When no one is on social media, they have their own issues, concerns and may live differently than you may think. While I am a positive person 98% of the time, I’ve recently had a huge low in my life which made me put a hold on my blog and other big plans I had in my first few months post undergraduate.

So what did I do in the last few months? I recovered from this low by doing what I do best which is writing, but more specifically rediscovering my voice. I spent time with my friends and embraced some of the best moments I've had with them in a long time. Family bonding was really strong the last few months and it made me feel so much warmth and happiness. I spent time alone, been depressed and I've cried... a lot, but I appreciated that time because it truly healed my soul. With that being said, I’m back and ready to jump into the new year on a good note. 

2017 was one of the most accomplished and hardest year of my life. I finished my undergraduate career, launched my blog, turned 23, and more. Like mentioned previously, I also hit a really hard low which made the rest of the year sort of go a bit down hill for me. However, I’m so thankful for everything that has happened this year both good and bad. While I have many lessons I learned, here are some of my favorites.

Strength Will Show Itself

I knew I was strong enough to handle a lot of things, but being at such a low point this year made me realize that even when everything around me is going wrong, I’m going to be okay. Strength will present itself in the lowest of moments and make you feel confident again. 

Small Moments = Happiness

I’ve always been happy with the smaller things in life, but this year really made me appreciate the smallest moments even more. From conversations with friends to my family growing closer, I approached every day with a smile on my face and with the hope that all will be okay. The smallest things can really keep people going each and every day.

Follow Your Path

I always knew this, but this really settled with me after graduation. It may seem like everyone is moving ahead of you, but you must remember that your life has its own path. Everything will work out and play out the way it’s supposed to. When everything starts to come your way, you’ll start to see everything fall into place.

Love Your Mistakes

Now being 23, I’m appreciating my freedom and independence more than ever. I have made many mistakes this year, but I learned to be okay with them. That’s what your 20’s is all about. You’re learning how this whole being an adult thing works, but it’s going to be a great adventure. Have fun, make mistakes and do what makes you happy.

While these are only a few things I’ve learned, I’m looking forward to keeping these lessons in mind as we head into 2018. With that being said, it’s a new year and its time for new goals. That I’ll share with you once we start the new year. 2018 is going to be another year to grow, to hustle and to continue figuring out this adulthood stuff. I’m in for the ride.

Happy New Year! 

5 Big Lessons I Learned at 22

I don’t know about you, but I’m no longer 22. This was hands down one of the most challenging, exciting, fun, memorable, and successful years I’ve had so far. While I dislike odd numbers, I’m happy to move on to 23 and to continue the unknown path of life. With that being said, I learned a lot at 22 that will follow me until I die. While I could be clever and cliché and list 22 lessons I’ve learned, I’m sticking it to the top 5 that I will remember each and everyday.

You Will Always Be Criticized

I learned this closer to the end of my run as 22 when I didn’t expect to hear someone basically downgrade a success of mine, but also I felt this was a lesson I was preparing to realize all along. You can do the right thing, the wrong thing, put in the hardest work ever and someone will always find something to criticize you about. Being the emotional person I can be, it can hurt, but I realized I don’t have time for that. The more negative energy you let in, the less you’ll grow. As long as you know you worked your ass off, then that’s all that matters.

Screw 5 Year Plans

I’m serious. I graduated at 22 with a BA in Creative Writing with minors in Marketing and Communications and while I have an idea of the career and the life I want, I don’t have a damn clue where I’ll be in 5 years. I’d like to think I would be in my career, living on my own, potentially seeing someone, but I won’t plan it. I refuse to sit here and write down what I should be doing in the next 5 years and how to do it. Yes, I do think sometimes these plans can work for little things like a fitness journey or finances, BUT I do not think you should use this as a tool to guide your path. Live on the edge, go where life takes you and discover your true passion.

Being Alone is Amazing

I used to not like being alone, but then I realized how much I learn about myself when I am alone. Being able to think, breathe and focus on myself without the influence of others around me is fantastic. Being able to do what I want, when I want and not have to report to anyone is really such a freedom you need to enjoy while you’re young. I’m a huge believer that your 20’s should be the time for you to be on your own and to not listen to what others say. Think about it, your entire life up until this point has been dictated by your family, school, friends, etc. It’s time for you to take the wheel and guide yourself.

Your Passion Comes First

People might disagree, but I believe you should chase your passion. My mother told me that she wanted to actually be a dancer, travel the world and choreograph. She was talented. My family always told me she had what it took to become a famous dancer, but my grandfather told her she needed to pick a stable career to support herself and the family she wished to have. Ever since, my mother raised my brother and I to always go after our dreams no matter what it may be. She has always supported my passions unlike anyone else has. You don’t want to be stuck doing something you don’t love. Your life is too short and precious to spend being miserable. Remember, while society and the people you care about may think your passion is crazy and unattainable, as long as you know you can do it then that is what matters.

Embrace Change

Change is hard for many people including myself. However, during 22 I found that with a glass of wine and a nice bath I can handle it. I’ve witnessed a lot of change during this year specifically - a change in friendships, environments, life paths, etc. However, I knew every change happens for a reason. There is a reason for everything believe it or not. Sometimes you won’t know the reason, but if you have trust in the change you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Overall, 22 was the most magical year of my life. It’s the one year I actually will look back on and smile about. It’s the year where I grew into myself and realized more than I’ve ever expected. Now, it’s my Jordan Year. I’m 23, unbothered, focused, cruising, and most of all happy.