My 5 Goals For The Rest Of 2017

I haven’t yet really grasped the fact that it’s 2017, so writing this post is slightly mind-boggling. I have to remind myself at least once a week what year, day and season it is because most of the time I’m about four years behind. Please don’t tell me I’m the only one?

In an effort to make sure that I’m on track with the goals I set at the start of 2017, I’m giving myself five things I want to focus on for the rest of the year so I don’t feel totally terrified by New Years Eve. To do this, I bought a new notebook (as if I needed another one) and am really going to try to stick to my goals by checking in every so often.

2017 has been a rollercoaster, crazy year so far with plenty of ups and a good few downs, so here’s to giving the rest of the year my best shot. Who’s with me?

1. Stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ time

I’m a divil for waiting for the ‘right’ time to do things. To wear a new top, to organise my desk, to work on my blog… I always have the best intentions and then tell myself to ‘save’ the top for a ‘better’ day, to wait until I’ve more energy to tidy up, to wait until inspiration has landed itself upon me wrapped in a red ribbon. And guess what? The ‘right’ time never comes. So I’m starting to do everything now. Wearing new clothes I’ve bought straight away, re-organising things as soon as it comes to mind, grabbing my laptop and writing a post as soon as I feel inspired. Why wait? I’ve been doing this for the past few weeks and, damn, it feels good.

2. Write two blog posts per week

Take this as an official contract that I’ll be publishing two blog posts per week until the end of 2017 (and hopefully beyond). Seriously, this is it. I’ve ideas coming out of my ears and I’m so excited to get started and take this blog in the direction I’ve always dreamed of. You might have noticed that I changed the homepage layout a little bit, and I plan to really up my photography game too by reeling in my very patient boyfriend to take outfit photos. Monday and Thursday will be blog post days, and for weeks/days when life gets in the way (it always does) I’ll catch up on posts on other days. Yes, this required the purchase of another new notebook, don’t judge. Are you excited? ‘Cause I sure am.

3. Feel the fear and do it anyway

The perfect example of a time when I felt the fear and did it anyway happened a few weeks ago. I was in Wexford with my boyfriend and his family and we visited the seaside, which featured a diving board from a cliff 15ft into the freezing cold sea (we’re talking five degrees here). I’m a major scaredy cat, and always let my mind run wild and talk me out of doing things. Not this time. I got into my swimsuit, stood on the diving board, looked down at my boyfriend who had gotten in before me and I jumped. And then I did it again. It felt amazing. I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day, and I was so proud of myself for doing something that I typically wouldn’t do, or that would require lots of convincing. For the rest of the year, I’m going to think of that moment and just jump.

4. Stop comparing

Comparison is the thief of joy, don’t cha know? Thanks to Instagram (I’m @whatshedoesnow), comparing ourselves has become as common as getting dressed in the morning. And it’s soul destroying. Now, as soon as I catch myself comparing myself to someone else, I’m trying to stop in my tracks and remember that everyone is different and everyone has different lives. Comparing won’t get you anywhere, but working on yourself and towards your goals will.

5. Take a break from social media

Is this even a ‘goals’ post if it doesn’t include taking a break from social media? I just got home on Wednesday from a two week holiday to Lanzarote, and I pretty much only spent an hour on my phone per day for the entire time. It was incredible. I read books I’ve wanted to read for months, read magazines cover to cover, listened to podcasts, went on walks, enjoyed the view and really didn’t miss my phone at all. When I did use it, it was nice to scroll through Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and catch up on my emails for a few minutes and actually enjoy doing it, instead of mindlessly scrolling every ten minutes. While I couldn’t survive in the real world by using my phone for only an hour per day, I’m really trying to make a conscious effort to know when to step away from it and put it down.

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How’re you feeling about the rest of 2017? If I achieve even half of these goals before NYE I’ll be happy!