Hello 2018

Some 2018 Goals

I wasn’t really sure I wanted to write something like this this year but after reading Grace’s post at The Stripe it inspired me to put keys on a keyboard and express some thoughts.

To be honest, I’m not really sure how I feel about 2017 at this point. For all of the anxiety I felt from the political and social state of the world, I balanced that with travel and discovery, and even managed to check off a bucket list too. I’ll have more peace about 2017 in the coming weeks, but I guess it wasn’t THAT bad.

For 2018, I’m not really sure if the thoughts below are final goals for the year, but that’s something I’m 100 percent okay with. These are just goals that I want to look back and hold myself accountable to, some things that are quasi-public to try and stick to.  

Here goes….

1. Express Myself // Thoughts of self-expression have been running through my head for the last couple weeks.  I lost myself heavily in my job in November and December, and I think that’s why I’ve been looking for an outlet for me, something I can give myself to. I'm not sure what form this self-expression will take, whether it's in the form of this corner of the internet or another visual or audible medium remains to be seen, but all I know is it's time to give more to me, instead of the alternative. 
2. Fall in love with a new band // Right now I couldn’t be more stoked for Justin Timberlake’s new album and tour (SO EXCITED!). But it’s been awhile since I’ve discovered an artist that I’ve loved, regardless of when they started on the music scene. Getting lost in a new voice and a new point of view for the first time is something I can’t wait for.
3. Get out of the country // For good? Probably not. Lately, I’ve been craving culture and diversity and itching to experience both outside of the comfort of the English language. I want to eat like a local, experience art and music in another language, and most of all, just take in the sights, sounds and feeling of a new place.
4. Nurture my girl squad // One of the greatest treats in 2017 that I was privileged to experience was placement in a women-only peer group full of support and candidness. I forgot the power of positive female relationships, ones that uplift, inspire, and provide so much support. This year I want to continue to practice what I’ve learned from these female relationships and lead others to do the same.
5. Spend more time in nature // There’s something magical about nature’s air, from the way it invigorates and refreshes, and relaxes and uplifts. Every time I spend even as little as an hour in nature, I always seem to ask my self, “why don’t I do this more often?” This year, it’s time to let nature feed my soul.

Are these it? Who knows. But it feels good to get the above goals out there and work towards achieving them over the next 300 or so days.